Landed homeowners taking care of the infirm or aged may consider installing lifts in their property to give their wards more freedom of movement and increased self reliance.

For a private landed property, which seldom exceeds three storeys, there are three types of lifts that can be used:

• shuttle elevator, which transports between two levels only
• platform lift
• chairlift

Shuttle elevator	Platform chair
	Chairlift

What special features should these lifts include?

• Handrails which are 0.9m from the floor and with a diameter of 3.5cm
• Operating panels on two sides of the wall
• Audible announcements and visual displays
• Large buttons with tactile indication
• A mirror on the rear wall (for rear view when exiting in reverse)
• Adequate lighting; 100 Lux within the car itself, and 50 Lux at the area outside car doors
• Emergency telephone and lift alarm
• For hearing aid users, the lift should contain an inductive coupler for use with the emergency telephone
• In case of difference in elevation between the lift landing and the floor level, the concrete ramp to be used should be of maximum gradient to allow easy ascent as well as minimized width, for the wheelchair or trolley’s stability

Points of note:

• The installation of lifts does not render the presence of a caregiver redundant. While the ward enjoys more autonomy, the responsibilities of the caregiver remain unchanged.
• Ensure that both the caregiver as well as the ward knows the appropriate responses in case of a malfunction.
• In a household with children, emphasis must be given against abuse of the lifts as it may lead to personal injury, death, or a voiding of warrantee,
• In the case of transferring ownership of the property, the new owner should be informed of the warrantee’s validity (if any) as well as related contacts, such as a repair service or the dealership.
• Power consumption adds to the cost of long-term usage.
• For purposes of safety, installation and maintenance is best left to specialized companies and engineers.

When engaging lift contractors:

• Create an agreement that defines a specific and closed-ended project. This agreement should be detailed enough to define the expected deliverables, dates, and total dollar amount associated with the project.
  
• Use contractors who have already established their business. It is preferable to engage a contractor who has solidified their status as an independent businessperson before engaging in an agreement.
  
• Note that warranty and maintenance items not mentioned in the contract are excluded from coverage. Ensure that terms for the following are included: warrantee period, replacement of parts, servicing, extent of service, installation.
  
• Be aware that the contractor may cancel the contract when major repairs, such as cable renewal, are imminent, or else reducing service levels at that point such that the owner of the building cancels the contract himself. In such a case, refer back to the terms of the original contract and take appropriate action.
  
• Be aware that an unethical contractor may say that the machine is obsolete and therefore either impractical or impossible to service, and then approaching the owner of the building with a costly proposal for replacement.