Stairlifts (also known as stair gliders or chair lifts) are home health care (medical) devices designed for people who have difficulty climbing or descending stairs. A stairlift is a movable mechanical apparatus for moving people, usually those with mobility disabilities, up and down stairways. Stairlifts are widely used by aged people who are unable to move properly and by those with some disabilities, to lift them up and down the staircase. Stairlifts enable people with restricted mobility to travel smoothly from one floor to another in multi-storied buildings.
The design of a typical stairlift system consists of a power unit, transmission, brake system, and motor. The power unit is usually a battery-powered device that is mounted on the rail. It provides the source of power for the stairlifts motor, which is installed inside the stairwell. The transmission and the motor are connected to the outside of the rail via a cable. Brakes are then fitted onto the treads of each stair. In some designs, the wheels are fixed onto the rails externally, whilst others are fitted with internal wheels.