Wheelchair Ramp vs Vertical Platform Lift

 No one wants to lose their independence. If you’re disabled due to age or injury, you don’t want to have to lose access to any part of your home, or be forced to ask for help from family members because you’re simply unable to get around the house. If you or a loved one has mobility issues, you’ve likely considered the possibility of installing either a wheelchair ramp or a vertical platform wheelchair lift (VPL) in your home. Relatively simple changes like these can make all the difference between a home you can freely navigate and one that’s completely inaccessible. If you’re unsure which type of mobility aid is best for you, here are a few things you should know.

A Tight Space

One of the biggest considerations when choosing between a ramp and a VPL is the amount of space you have available. Ideally, ramps should have one foot of slope for every inch of rise. If you live in an urban environment, you simply might not have the room for a rather long ramp to be installed at the front of your house. VPLs, on the other hand, require a little more space than what is necessary to accommodate a 3-foot by 4-foot platform. If you need to scale a four foot rise to enter your home, compare the VPL’s tiny footprint with a 48-foot ramp. Also, while VPLs may appear to be more expensive at first glance, the longer the ramp, the more cost-effective a VPL actually is, saving you money in the long run.

Versatility

Ramps can be perfectly suitable for installation outside the home if you have the space, however, there are few instances where they make sense indoors. If you have to descend stairs upon entering your home, only a VPL will do. Garages are downstairs in many multi-story homes, and, unless you want to lose a lot of storage space, VPLs are your best option. VPLs are durable, too, and perfectly able to withstand heavy rains and wind. It’s no wonder so many people choose wheelchair lifts for their homes in Louisiana.

Reliability

Something that both ramps and wheelchair lifts have in common is they’re both perfectly safe and very easy to use. If you have a loved one who feels insecure around new technology or is afraid a lift might be too imposing, one ride in a VPL will cure them of any anxiety. Also, aesthetically, they’re usually considered more attractive than ramps. Depending on the size of the ramp, it can completely disrupt the look of your home, while the VPL’s tiny footprint and simple, modern appearance will blend in very easily.

Ramps are perfectly reliable and a good choice for many people, but the increasing affordability and convenience provided by wheelchair lifts are some of the reasons they’re becoming more popular by the day. If you want to see how a wheelchair lift can work for you, contact Stairlifts of Louisiana. We’ve been installing wheelchair lifts in Louisiana for over 10 years, and we can help you find the right solution to suit your needs. Give us a call today (504) 715-6658