Mobility products such as stairlifts have traditionally had a bit of a PR problem.

However, over the last few years more people have begun to realise they can help them stay in their homes longer, relieve the pain of moving around and dedicate more time to the things they enjoy.

At the same time, product innovation is having a huge impact on what mobility products can do and how they are perceived.

Indeed, a number of revolutionary products have been launched this year which are more functional, smaller, better looking and fit more easily into the home. This shift towards more consumer friendly and less utilitarian products is helping improve the image of mobility solutions.

These include saddle style stairlifts designed for people who have stiffness in their leg joints, as well as totally new concept home lifts that actually aren’t mobility products at all but can be used to overcome mobility issues.

Innovative new products such as these are making solutions better suited to people with a wider range of requirements and changing perceptions by making them more relevant to a younger audience.

In particular, vertical home lifts don’t require any major structural alterations to be installed so can be fitted practically anywhere in the home.

Home lifts are not just mobility aids but are a lifestyle choice for anyone wishing to future proof their home.

This is important because it is now government policy to help people stay in their homes for longer.

The Draft Care and Support Bill, published in July 2012, is centred around intervening earlier so as to reduce demand on intensive hospital services and empower individuals with more information so they can select their own care.

Part of this solution involves making aids and adaptions more available so that the elderly do not need to go into care homes, move in with relatives or downsize.

The reasoning for this approach is simple: it’s not only more affordable from the government’s perspective to keep people in their homes, but individuals prefer to keep their homes and retain their independence.

With 2013 almost here, we can look forward to a year of continued product innovation and changing attitudes to mobility solutions that will hopefully continue to help change out-dated perceptions and assist more people to live life to the full in their homes.