Star lift options - thoughts?

ChilliBob

Savvy_Sue said:

I can only confirm that a service contract is worthwhile! My mother used to resent the cost, until the battery needed replacing, or something would be identified at the annual service to prevent an imminent problem.

There was no problem with walking up the stairs, except that they had had handrails fitted each side, and one had to be removed to avoid it interfering with the stairlift.

Thanks. Yes, they would need their other hand rail removed, but I could probably patch up and redecorate to a half decent standard

Now I think of it they have that sort of arrangement on their boiler (as do we) and similsr things, so all good  

ChilliBob

Jellynailer said:

6 years ago, my son called in  a stair lift company (Age UK Handicare) after I returned from hospital.  I ended up with an ugly monstrosity on my dog leg stairs drilled through my carpet.  It was very slow and so noisy it disturbed my neighbours.  Having shelled out £6K, my doctor sent me on a pulminary rehabilitation course.  

One of the guidance leaflets advised against a lift because exercise going up the stairs was better for my lungs.  I used the leaflet to get the lift removed and get a full refund.  I did put a small seat half way up  + had to pay out for a new carpet.  

I also have back problems, use a rollator; have a blue badge etc,  Going up the stairs during Covid isolation iwas  can be the only exercise I got.  It is so important to keep moving - for mental as well as physical health.. 

Sorry to hear that! Sounds like good intentions though!

Yeah, the move from a stick to additionally a rollator happened yesterday, I'm hoping that might take prrssure off my Dad's legs, especially knees and feet, and might make it easier when he does walk with a stick. 

My Dad still gets some exercise, with cutting the lawn being a favorite activity to do this! 

This is very much a do it when required jobbie, but if it's required rapidly I'd rather have some ideas in the back pocket! 

Farway

I have a straight stair lift, from a local supplier. Second hand Acorn but with a new rail. £800

I had various quotes, some into the £3K range, I found some companies are a bit like double glazing, see what they can charge & then “Special offers” when you catch your breath.

 My used one is as good and looks new.

Curved will always be more expensive because they need to fit for the curve, and no two houses are the same

Have you considered a lift between floors? I never checked but if room this could be another option.

Chloe_G

We got several quotes before covid; came in around £6000 as we have difficult stairs with lots of curves. Got a really hard sell from Acorn and they wouldn't stop ringing- really got on my nerves. Didn't get one in the end for my mum. She's still managing to get up and down with someone walking behind/in front (physio showed us how). If she can't get upstairs we'll probably get a bed downstairs for her.

ChilliBob

Farway said:

I have a straight stair lift, from a local supplier. Second hand Acorn but with a new rail. £800

I had various quotes, some into the £3K range, I found some companies are a bit like double glazing, see what they can charge & then “Special offers” when you catch your breath.

 My used one is as good and looks new.

Curved will always be more expensive because they need to fit for the curve, and no two houses are the same

Have you considered a lift between floors? I never checked but if room this could be another option.

Yeah, I can imagine it's a bit like that. Which if you don't have somebody with you feels a bit scummy to be honest

My sister in law has a lift between floors as she has mnd so a different circumstance. That was super expensive and it's a lot more modification to the house than a stair lift for sure. But yeah I can see where you're coming from. 

Cyclamen

I live in a bungalow now but when i first became disabled I had stairs and bought a stair lift.

Firstly just because tits there doesn't mean you have to use it every journey... as above i wanted to keep moving and would try to use stairs when able.. or get off a few steps before the end .. (not safest choice i know).. i coud also use it for getting items upstairs.. laundry basket and bungee cord. 

I chose a reconditioned one from a local company as the are very expensive with very poor resale value and I was planning a move at some point.

I've had friends buy them for a few pounds on ebay/ fb with 'buyer remove' and then have them fitted by family members who have a van and are confident...or a handyman.  But that relies on the stairway its coming out of being the same as the your home.. 

There is an intermediate point to a stair lift that ive seen on social media but as im now in a bungalow not looked at properly.. a second handrail with a drop down bar that comes across the stairs, this slides up and down as the person uses the stairs providing an extra hand hold and support.. i would have tried that if they had been around when i still had stairs.. 

I hated the idea of a bungalow, but its absolurely the rght thing for me going forwards.. and so much easier as my mobility changes and in in my 40's,  I dont have to leave duplicate rollators at top an dbottom of stairs, wheelchairs etc.. one each floor causing clutter but also blocking passageways.  It wasntuntil i became disabled that i realised just how man things need carrying up and down stairs and its not possible to duplicate them all.. eg shoppinga nd toiletries, laundry, christmas presents to store, new reading books or hobbies, the frustration of leaving a jumper on the wrong floor you want to wwear etc... so if a bungalow could be an option i would highl recomeend a long chat and thinking time.. it took me ages to accept it.

ChilliBob

Thank you for a detailed response

I totally get you not having to use it all the time, although I suspect my Dad might! Or knowing him he'd use it to send a tea tray upstairs first to my Mum in bed!

The intermediate point interests me and I was convinced I had seen similar on Facebook but then I couldn't find anything on it. All I could see was some sort of half size steps type thing which isn't quite what we need. 

Oh having two children I know full about stuff going upstairs. It feels like I spend half my life moving stuff from the wrong part of the house to the right part! My Dad basically doesn't carry a thing up stairs I don't think -, he focuses on getting up and down safely with both hand rails, and as you say a mobility aid upstairs and downstairs 

Albermarle

ChilliBob said:

Thanks, some interesting points there. Perhaps optimistic of me but I wouldn't have thougu much would go wrong with them? I was under the impression they had been around for years and the mechanics and technology would be solid! 

As a general point most mechanical/electrical mobility aids need servicing regularly. If you have something like that supplied by the council/NHS ( or their contracted supplier) they will insist on you allowing regular servicing.
It is partly a health and safety thing because the users are often vulnerable, and rely heavily on everything working or at least to be repaired quickly.

ChilliBob

That makes a lot of sense when you put it like that, much like servicing a car or boiler 

ladyholly

I have recently had a curved stair lift removed from a property I am inheriting and my only two comments are if/ when you get one see if the company will buy it back easily  if it is no longer needed (some do not but there are companies that will butthat is slightly more complicated from my experience) and to note they do leave marks on any carpet when removed.