If you have a family member who has been having some trouble getting up and down the stairs, then a stairlift might be needed. Stairlifts are designed for people with limited mobility and with conditions like arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
Addressing this issue with a family member isn’t always easy. Knowing how to be understanding when broaching the subject will aid in creating a calm conversation.
How to Approach the Issue
It’s important to be understanding about how your family member feels. If you see that your family member isn’t comfortable with the conversation, don’t force the issue. Sometimes knowing when the time is right is the best way to start a conversation.
Take into consideration how both you and your family member feel. When you’re hungry your blood sugar levels drop and you feel irritable. When you’re exhausted it isn’t the best time to approach a subject.
Choosing a time when you are both in a private place is respectful. Public and crowded places might make your family member feel like they are put on a spot where they can’t properly express their feelings.
Pick the right time and the right place, when you’re both rested and in the right frame of mind. The way you express what you want to say is also important. Being sensitive and positive is vital. Positive doesn’t specifically mean you have to be happy; the way you phrase a sentence impacts the conversation.
Helping your family member know how you feel is also a good way of breaking down the walls. Be attentive in explaining it, so that you don’t turn the conversation into just how you feel. Offering an understanding statement like “I can understand that you might feel…” or “I know it’s difficult…” lets your family member know that you listen and understand, and it helps reduce defensiveness.
Why a Stairlift Helps
Your family member might not agree with your opinion of them needing a stairlift. They might believe that a stairlift is a big change in their life; you can address this concern by stating that a stairlift will aid them in being able to have access to the entire house and not just one floor. It will help prevent the need to move houses or having someone else move in.
Independence is one important aspect of getting a stairlift. It helps your family member navigate better within their own home. When someone breaks a foot, crutches help them to walk better, and a stairlift is just another way of aiding mobility.
Installing a stairlift in a home isn’t a daunting experience. It’s merely technology to help mobility, and it provides more independence for anyone’s life. Here at ALS Stairlifts we ensure all of our products are high-quality, so your loved one can have the best possible stairlift to help them on a daily basis. If you want to know more about our brand new or reconditioned stairlifts, you can contact us on 0800 046 3438 to speak with our friendly team.