Britain's baby boomers - the generation born at the end of the Second World War during a period of rapid population growth - are now reaching retirement age, dramatically changing the face of society. For the first time in history, there are more Britons aged over 65 than there are under 16 and as the numbers of elderly continue to increase, so do the numbers seeking to find ways of making their lives as easy as possible.

When stairs become difficult to manage, moving out of your home isn't always the best solution. An increasing number of those with mobility challenges are installing residential lifts or chair lifts which enable them to have full access to all their floors.

Chair lifts are the most basic form of motorised assistance for reaching the upper floors but they can be problematic. If such a device develops a fault and breaks down mid-journey, it can partially block access up the stairs for everyone, no matter how mobile they are. Standard chair lifts are also unsuitable for wheelchair users and those that are able to accommodate wheelchairs are bigger, bulkier and significantly more expensive.

Residential lifts are much easier to use - especially for wheelchair users - and, once fitted, can boost the value of your home and add to its appeal to potential buyers. Having full and easy access to all parts of your home can restore independence and eliminate the need to move to a different property or into a care facility. This in turn allows people to maintain existing links with friends and family more easily.

Residential lifts don't just make it easier for people to get around their homes, they also make it far easier for them to deal with wash day or taking items purchased in the shops to other parts of the house. Many owners suddenly find a wide range of uses for their lifts once they have been installed, many of which go above and beyond the most basic task of moving people from one floor to the other.

With a wide range of styles and designs available, almost every home is capable of having a residential lift installed. They can also be made to match existing designs of decor so they look as though they really belong, rather than being a last-minute addition.

The market for home lifts is also growing among younger people who are planning for the future and installing a system knowing it will provide them with convenience, flexibility and easy access to the upper floors of their home in years to come.