How to Choose Between a Handicap Accessible Ramp or Lift

If you or someone in your home is in a wheelchair, uses a walker, or needs a mobility device to get around safely, it’s time to make your home more handicap accessible. However, it can be difficult to choose the right types of modifications.

Here is how to choose between a handicap-accessible ramp or lift for your home!

Evaluate Your Space

How much space do you have available? Ramps require a lot more space than lifts, and you’ll need to have a foot of horizontal length for every one-inch rise to meet codes in most places. Most vertical wheelchair lifts only require a five-foot-by-five-foot space for installation, and these lifts can usually lift an individual to 14 feet high.

Think About Maintenance

You or a friend or relative could easily maintain an outdoor ramp by removing snow during winter, salting it, and replacing anti-slip material when worn. Wooden ramps may require re-staining or may even need to be replaced from time to time as well.

Lifts, on the other hand, require regular professional maintenance and inspection.

Consider Aesthetics

If you are considering adding an outdoor ramp to your home, you need to think about how it will look on your property. Since they take up much more space than lifts, you may have to eliminate some flowerbeds or gardens around your house to accommodate the ramp size. If you care a lot about the outside aesthetic of your home, this might factor into your decision.

Lifts aren’t the most attractive home edition in the world, but they are easier to hide than ramps and can be installed in less visible areas.

Whether you choose a handicap-accessible ramp or a lift, BEK Medical has both available for you! Our team of professionals will discuss the pros and cons of each home mobility service and recommend which one we think will be best for you and your lifestyle.

Contact us today to discuss your options!