Start with the rise. Measure from the ground to the floor your parent needs to reach, whether that's the front door, a garage step or the next level inside. A vertical platform lift handles heights that would need a very long ramp. Then decide on indoor or outdoor. An outdoor unit has to be weather rated, with a cover or enclosure in some cases.
Burlington has a lot of homes where this fits well. Back-splits and side-splits in Brant Hills, Headon Forest and Tyandaga often have a garage entry several steps below the main floor, and a wheelchair lift for home use in the garage is a tidy solution. Older downtown homes with high porches may suit an outdoor lift beside the stairs. Winter snow and ice mean you'll want a plan for clearing the platform and the path.
Prioritize a licensed elevating device installer with home experience. In Ontario, these lifts are regulated, so ask how they handle the required registration and inspection. Look for safety gates or doors, a call button at each level, battery backup for outages, and enough platform space for the wheelchair plus a caregiver if needed. Get the warranty and a service plan in writing.
We recommend a vertical platform lift when the rise is high or the yard is too small for a ramp. A ramp has no moving parts and costs less to maintain, but the trade-off is space, and in many Burlington lots that space doesn't exist. There are few specialist installers in Burlington itself, so families often compare companies in Hamilton and Oakville, listed nearby. Installed lifts may qualify for the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit.