How Those With Muscular Dystrophy Can Benefit From a Stairlift

There are a wide range of conditions that may require you to install a stairlift in your home. These can range from arthritis to osteoporosis. While it varies case by case, muscular dystrophy is a condition that can severely affect a person’s mobility. It is estimated that 70,000 people in the UK suffer from some form of muscular dystrophy.

Here’s how a stairlift may help you or a loved one who is suffering from muscular dystrophy.

What is muscular dystrophy?

Muscular dystrophies are a type of disease caused by gene mutations. These mutations cause muscle weakness and decreased mobility which can make many everyday tasks difficult. Different types of muscular dystrophy will affect different muscle groups and will come with different signs and symptoms to look out for. It often runs in families, or someone can be the first person in the family to have muscular dystrophy.

One common type of muscular dystrophy is Duchenne MD and it mostly affects males. People who suffer from this type have a life expectancy of 20 to 30 years and may find it difficult to stand up, walk or speak and might experience breathing difficulties as the condition progresses.

How can a stairlift help muscular dystrophy sufferers?

A stairlift can help ease some of the difficulties in your home by providing a solution for getting up and down the stairs if you or a loved one has low mobility. This is extremely helpful for many muscular dystrophy sufferers and can drastically improve their quality of life. Here’s why:

• Stairlifts reduce the risk of falls – As the condition progresses, you may find it harder to walk up the stairs or you may feel unsteady on your feet. Rather than potentially risking a fall everytime you go up the stairs, a stairlift will ensure you can complete this task safely and without the help of others.
• Stairlifts help ease discomfort – Some days you may experience more pain than other days which is when you may choose to use a stairlift. Obviously you would like to use the stairs normally as much as possible, but if on a particular day it feels too difficult to do so, the stairlift will be there to support you.
• Provide much-needed confidence – Some sufferers of muscular dystrophy feel they lose their confidence and independence as their condition begins to deteriorate. Rather than having to rely on carers or family members, a stairlift allows you to go up and down the stairs on your own without having to rely on others.

Would you like a stairlift installed in your home? Alfix Stairlifts is a stairlift company based in Leamington Spa, providing high quality stairlifts in Warwickshire and the surrounding area. For more information, visit our website or give us a call on 01926 334848.