For the past half century, everyone knew that there would come a day when that baby boomer population would become seniors with special needs. The fear was always what these needs would do to the economy, but there is a whole other side to the issue and that is what those needs could do for an economy.
The manufacture of special medical equipment has seen an increase in certain segments of the industry, and stairlifts are amongst the products most impacted by a rising elderly population.
Acorn stairlifts in the spotlight on the Ellen DeGeneres Show
To highlight the importance of stairlifts and just how they could positively impact the life of a person facing physical challenges, Ellen DeGeneres actually rode on one on national television in the US. The show, of course, was re-broadcast around the globe via satellite, and the entire world, in that moment, was hopefully made aware of the problem now facing them as the population ages. The actual product shown on Ellen was an Acorn Stairlift, a global leader in the manufacturing of stairlifts.
Boomers mot the only candidates for stairlifts
However, the manufacturing sector understands that boomers are not the only segment of the population in need of aids for going up and down stairs. There are large numbers of people with physical limitations that need assistance in varying degrees so the construction of the actual ‘chair’ can be tailored to various levels of need. Also, they can be installed for temporary use by a person who will only require a lift for the duration of healing such as after breaking a hip or leg and after some types of surgery. As the stairlift doesn’t attach to the wall, there are no structural changes which makes them easy to remove as well.
Most important feature to look for when comparing manufacturers
When looking for a stairlift either for yourself or a family member, the first thing to look for is whether or not that particular manufacturer meets national and international safety standards. As in the case of the Acorn Stairlift seen on the Ellen Show, these products are manufactured to comply with European as well as Worldwide safety regulations. Here is what you need to look for:
- European Safety Standards – BS EN 81-40:2008
- Worldwide Safety Standards – ISO 9836-2:2000
These are the regulations which must be adhered to in order to ensure that the stairlift is compliant with the legal safety standards which must be met.
With global regulations on safety and as technology progresses, stairlifts are not only safer but easier to install and easier to use. If you believe that a stairlift is the solution to someone who is unable to navigate stairs inside or outside the home, you will find useful reading here to help you determine which type of stairlift best suits your needs. Most reputable companies with a solid reputation like Acorn also make provisions for power outages. DC capability is available so there isn’t a worry what would happen if the power suddenly dropped. Acorn on Ellen is certainly newsworthy as it only serves to heighten awareness to a problem we have long neglected, addressing the needs of the elderly and physically challenged.
