How to Convince Reluctant Parents They Need a Stairlift

Aging in place is something many seniors want to do, so they feel comfortable in their own homes and don’t have to go to an assisted-living facility or nursing home. However, the home they’re comfortable in may provide some challenges and, to be safe, may need some modifications. But when your aging parents need help, they may not always be the first to recognize it. Sometimes you’ll have to try to convince your reluctant parents they need a stairlift or some other type of modification, and it may be a bit of a battle. But to be safe, many times modifications are necessary. Read on to learn more about tips on dealing with elderly parents who refuse help, information on stairlifts, and tips on other modifications you may want to consider. 

How to Convince Reluctant Parents They Need a Stairlift: Helping Elderly Parents Make Decisions

Helping your elderly parents can be difficult, particularly when they don’t see it as an offer of help but rather interference. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in four elderly people fall and injure themselves each year, and being in a home with stairs can make the fear of falling that much more real. What a stairlift can do is ensure that your elderly parent(s) get from one end of the stairs to the other with little to no risk of injury. Here are some tips on how to talk to your parents about modifications in general and how to convince reluctant parents they need a stairlift:

• Expect to have more than one conversation about the topic. If you’re trying to convince reluctant parents they need a stairlift, remember they are reluctant, so it may take a few discussions until you’re able to convince them you’re doing this out of love and caring.
• Speak out of love and caring. Try not to come from a place of ultimatums. Remember, in the end, it’s their decision—but do educate them on the facts of safety, and how safe stairlifts are, and how easy they are to use.
• Expect a poor reaction during the first conversation. Your parents may be angry at the thought of modifications in their home. Don’t take it personally, and continue to come from a place of love and caring.
• Reassure your parents that installing a stairlift will provide them with more independence and mobility, not less.

How to Convince Your Reluctant Parents They Need a Stairlift: Quick Facts on Stairlifts

As you’re helping care for aging parents, providing them with facts about stairlifts can help convince reluctant parents they need a stairlift. Firstly, they may think the suggestion of a stairlift is for those who can’t walk up stairs. This isn’t true—a stairlift helps eliminate the risk of falling and can help people relax if they’re feeling apprehensive going up and down stairs. 

Anyone with stability issues or who is at risk of falling can use a stairlift. It just makes getting around the house easier. Stairlifts are also quickly installed, and can be completed in about two to three hours. In addition, if there is a power outage, there is a battery backup, so your parents would never worry about being “stranded” on the stairs. Also, there are stairlifts for any staircase: straight stair lifts, curved, split level, and even outdoor. Stairlifts also do not damage the walls or the staircase if your parents are worried about the resale value of their home. 

How to Convince Reluctant Parents They Need a Stairlift: Other Modifications to Consider

Depending on your parents’ mobility and other medical or health needs, you may want to consider other modifications if they are open to them. Some common modifications for aging in place include:

• Non-slip flooring (particularly in the bathroom and kitchen)
• Door widening
• Wheelchair ramps and accessibility (if warranted)
• Easier-to-use door handles and faucets
• Lower countertops and cabinets
• Smart technology (such as Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa)
• Raised toilet
• Grab bars in the bathroom and shower
• Installing brighter and more lighting

As you can see, many of these modifications are not intrusive and can make the home more comfortable for your parents who are aging in place.

For more information on how to convince reluctant parents they need a stairlift, information on stairlifts themselves, or information on other mobility products that can be life-changing, contact Williams Lift Co. today. We want both caregivers and their loved ones to be able to live their best lives possible.