Category Archives: stairlifts

Home Stairlifts – Tips For Finding the Best Residential Stairlift

March 28, 2012

If you or someone in your family starts finding it difficult to go upstairs you might consider installing a stair lift for home use. Find out if a home stair lift is the right solution for your family and how to find the best lift.

Getting a stair lift is an important decision, but it is not as difficult and expensive as you might think. there are many stair lift companies and they offer you a full range of services. first, a representative will come to your place, measure everything and give you a quote. Then the lift is manufactured and installed. even though the installation of a stair lift is a complicated process and needs to be done by professionals, it rarely takes longer than a couple of hours. and then the company should provide after service – to ensure its good working conditions a stair or wheelchair lift needs to be serviced every year.

Types of stairlifts for home

The type depends on your staircase; most stair lifts are straight, suitable for straight staircases. this type is cheaper because they do not need to be customized much. For homes with curved staircases a curved lift is required, these usually cost much more because they have to be custom made. Curved lifts are also much harder to sell if you do not want your lift anymore.

Even if you have curved stairs sometimes it is cheaper to install two straight stairlifts rather than one curved one. Consult a company representative to find out if this option is possible for you.

Also you can leave your staircase as it is and install a through-floor lift instead. The advantage of this is that it is also good for wheelchairs. this would be the best solution for people whose condition can get worse with time.

Sitting or standing lift?

Most stair lifts are designed so that the person is sited while transported, these are comfortable and convenient. However, there are also standing lifts for people who find it difficult to bend or sit. Another advantage of a standing lift, that it is also suited for wheelchairs.

Domestic stairlifts companies

There are many manufacturers of stairlifts to choose from. Some reputable brands are Acorn, Bruno, Stannah, Summit and Bison. since the visit to your home and quote is usually free, it is a good idea to obtain several quotes from different manufacturers and compare prices. this way you can also negotiate yourself a better deal, because most companies would rather give you a discount than loose the sale.

Buying used or reconditioned stair lift

The main drawback of any new stairlift is its price. even thought the straight ones are cheaper they still cost several thousand. However, just like with cars, the price of your lift drops half or more as soon as you first use it. It is bad news if you want to sell you lifts later, but, on the other hand, that helps you save in the first place if you are prepared to buy a used lift.

Most companies buy stairlifts from people who no longer need them, fix the lift if it needs fixing and sell it as a reconditioned. The quality of these lifts is usually quite good and since the company provides warranty (usually 12 month) you are covered for any unpleasant surprises.

However, buying a used stairlift directly from people who used it and installing it yourself might seem cheap, but it is not a good idea. It is always better to get your reconditioned stair or wheelchair lift from a reputable company and make sure there is a warranty on it.

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Stair Lift Prices

March 5, 2012

Stair lifts allows aged and disabled people to live a normal life. it is a pretty new technology that has surfaced recently that allows people who have difficulty walking up and down the stairs. An electric rail is installed along the side of the stairs and the disabled can sit on the seat and with a press of a button, it will bring the person up the stairs. It’s similar to how a monorail works except on a smaller scale.

Of course, installing a stair lift is not cheap and before purchasing or renting a stair lift, there are a couple of points you need to take note.

Type of Stairs

The prices of stair lifts will depend on the type of stair lifts you plan to purchase or rent. and this will depend on the type of stairs you have in your house. Generally speaking, curved stair lifts are more expensive than straight rail stair lifts. other types of stair lifts such as wheelchair platform stair lifts, outdoor stair lifts and goods stair lifts are also available.

What You Need

It can be difficult to determine the best type of stair lifts for your house. in this case, I would highly recommend you speak to the stair lift company first before purchasing one. Get quotations from different stair lift manufacturers before deciding which is the best. Also factor in the warranty period, cost of installation etc as it can be quite costly to repair or install a stair lift.

Stair lifts prices are dropping tremendously as more and more people start to realize the benefits of stair lifts. if you can’t afford to purchase a stair lift, most stair lift companies also provide stair lift rental service. it is much more affordable and the cost of installation and warranty is already accounted for.

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Stannah Stair Lifts – Could They Be Your Best Option?

February 12, 2012

Stannah is one of the UK based companies that is into the business of manufacturing stair lifts and has a world wide reputation in this market segment. The company was first started in the year 1975 and since then it has been providing valued offerings and range of products. The company is not only manufacturing stair chair lifts but there are several additional products also being manufactured by the company. These products include passenger lifts, microlifts, trolley lifts and commercial lifts. One of the best known range of lifts offered in the home category are Stannah stair lifts.

One of the superior range of straight stair lifts that is available from the company is the Stannah 400 plus Range. This range of stair lifts have been particularly designed for straight staircases. These are known to offer one of the quietest and smoothest rides to the people who are making use of these stair lifts. Most of these are operated by a motor and the batteries that are used to run these motors are automatically recharged.

One of the unique battery systems has also been innovated by this company and has been offered to its customers that are able to offer relief even in case of power outages. The company also provides for a superior operating system. The operating system that is a part of the Stannah lifts is very easy to operate and easy to use.

The company also manufactures and markets curved stair lifts for those customers who have curved staircases in their homes. One of the models that is available from Stannah that is particularly suitable for the curved staircases is Stannah 260. This model has been designed particularly to ensure that disabled and those with special needs can easily traverse the winding and other curved staircases. There is a wide range of colors available for the different models and thus they can be customized in order to take care of individualistic needs and tastes.

The company has been also the first one to manufacture outdoor lifts. The model that is specifically useful in this regard is Stannah 310. This model has been particularly designed so as to ensure an outdoor use in those places where a straight slope exists.

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Getting a Stairlift for the Same Price As If It Was From the NHS

November 29, 2011

Some stairlift companies offer users the chance to purchase stairlifts for the same price as an NHS stairlift.

Council cuts have meant that those who want to purchase council stairlifts could have to wait up to 18 months.

But because some companies work in association with the NHS, they are able to offer discounts on their products – bringing private stairlifts to the same price as council ones – without the long wait.

Users will have the comfort factor of a quality private sector stairlift but with a reduced waiting time and no extra cost.

it is a perfect opportunity for those in need of a new stairlift to obtain one without having to wait for over a year.

Many stairlift companies are accredited NHS providers of mobility and community equipment – providing people who have been discharged from hospital with living aides.

Stairlifts companies work in partnership with Occupational Therapists, Social Services and other prescribers to help them select items from a wide-ranging list of mobility equipment.

Customers can bring in their NHS prescription to some stairlift companies showroom and collect their items. an additional delivery service is available, where they will assemble the equipment for the prescribers.

Many also provide and installs mobility products – including stairlifts, scooters, riser/recliners, wheelchairs, bath lifts and living aids – to individuals and councils all over the North West.

These companies supply high quality and affordable products – both new and used – offering easy payment options and rental schemes to assist with this.

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Four Types of Electric Stair Lift End-Rail Solutions, Which One is Best For Your Home Stair Lift?

November 14, 2011

When you are buying an home stair lift, or electric stair lift, of course you have a good reason to do so. Maybe you are just getting real tired walking up the stairs every time you need to fetch something from the bedroom upstairs. Perhaps you run out of breath just after a few steps. or you have a serious disability to deal with. Regardless, you decided to install an electric stair lift, or a stair lift for disabled, as some call it.

What often happens though is that the electric stair lift rail protrudes quite a way into the hallway downstairs, blocking the foot traffic. other times, a door will be positioned right below the stairs. in such cases, the protruding rail would either obstruct the traffic or prevent someone to enter through the door.

The home stair chair lift companies have long been able to cope with the problem by using three types of end-rail solutions. these are: Curved rail, manual hinged end rail, power hinged end rail, and the slide rail extension. Let’s look at all four solutions.

Curved rail solution

When your stairs are curved, you will want to install a curved stair lift anyways. Then, it is only natural to bend the bottom part of the rail sideways at the bottom of the stairs. That way, the bottom station will be out of the way, and the parked stairlift will not obstruct traffic.

Manual hinged rail solution

When your stair chair lift is straight, fitting straight stairs, you can select to have a hinge installed so that the bottom part of the rail can be manually lifted up and turned back onto the rest of the rail when not in use. That way, the obstructing bottom part of the rail will be out of the way.

Powered hinged rail solution

This is the same idea as the manual hinged rail, except it uses an electric motor to flip the bottom part of the rail up onto the rest of the rail. it can be controlled through the remote control.

Slide rail extension

Minivator has recently come up with a really neat idea that does not require a hinge. The bottom part of the rail is extended out, or slides out of the top part, as needed, or as the stair lift chair is approaching. The advantage of such hinge-free system is that it takes less space.

Which system electric stair chair lift end-rail solution will work best for you? it is probably still too soon to tell – perhaps you won’t even need one so go check out the bottom of your stairs to see if the protruding rail would obstruct traffic.

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Legion appeal for aid with HQ (From Keighley News)

October 31, 2011

Legion appeal for aid with HQ

11:50am Thursday 27th October 2011

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An appeal is launched today to carry out desperately-needed refurbishment work at Keighley’s Royal British Legion headquarters.

the building, in Lord Street, needs massive renovations including rewiring and re-plumbing.

Due to the poor condition of the premises, Legion members are currently having to meet elsewhere in the town.

the branch has managed to raise about £2,000 itself to help cover the cost of the work, but much more is needed.

And it is turning to the people of Keighley in its hour of need.

Any donations of money, services or help would be welcomed, said 84-year-old vice-chairman Laurence Brocklesby.

“We would love to get the place up and running again but it is so dilapidated,” he said.

“The electrics need redoing, the plumbing replacing, new windows and doors fitting and some form of heating installed – at the moment we just have a couple of electric heaters and the building is so cold – and each room will have to be redecorated.”

Laurence, who served in the army and has been a Legion member, at Cross Hills and then Keighley, for more than 60 years, said the branch was doing what it could, but had limited funds.

“At the moment some of our members are filling poppy boxes and preparing them for distribution but all the money from that goes to the Poppy Appeal,” he said.

“We have to cover maintenance of the building, and costs such as rates and heating, ourselves and we are mostly pensioners.

“Perhaps someone could sponsor a new window or door, or offer tins of paint or sufficient wallpaper for a room, or it may be that a community could help us by raising money? Maybe you are a plumber, painter and decorator or electrician who could help in some way.

“We would be extremely grateful for any assistance.”

Some support has already been received – B&Q has donated a kitchen and Acorn Stairlifts a stairlift, and Keighley town councillor Kathrine Roberts has given £500.

anyone able to support the appeal can contact Laurence on 01274 590907.

l Comment – page 12

Read these News stories

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Outdoor Straight Stair Lifts

September 11, 2011

Outdoor straight stair lifts are ideal products for business firms, tourism facilities, hotels, hospitals and other establishments where service to the common public is given utmost importance. these are used on straight or vertical stairways. these straight chair lifts are less costly compared to expensive elevators and are designed to operate in a wide variety of outdoor settings. Outdoor straight stair lifts, as the name suggests, are intended for outdoor access to higher levels in your home or workplace. these are meant especially for disabled and aged individuals.

Outdoor straight stair chair lifts are highly flexible in their operations and the easy to use controls can be operated by anyone regardless of their age, size or physical disability. The installation processes of these lifts are also much simpler, as no costly maintenance or modification of your existing premises is required. The main installation component in the outdoor straight stair lift is a rail which can be easily fixed on the stairs

Outdoor stair lifts are available in both battery powered and direct A/C models. Battery operated models come with rechargeable batteries which can be directly charged from the mains supply and are best suited in places where frequent power outages are likely to occur. other features commonly found in outdoor straight stair lifts include:

oSwivel seats
oWireless call/send controls
oOn-board diagnosis tools for making service easier and more precise

All outdoor units are built with highly durable materials which are capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions. most models have weather-resistant cover systems intended to protect them from the elements of nature, when not in use. One of the best selling outdoor straight stair lifts is the Bruno Electra-Ride Elite model which is tested to operate at temperatures ranging from 25F to 125F.

Outdoor stair chair lifts are provided with standard security features for trouble free operation and have company warranties which cover all potential problems associated with their operation and maintenance. With the increasing demand for stair lifts, most companies offering outdoor straight stairway lifts are introducing a number of innovative models suited to the budget requirements of clients. these straight lifts can add value to the services of your firm and help earn a good reputation for your firm.

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Best Stairlifts For Your Disability – Two Best Stairlift Company Reviews

September 8, 2011

If you are experiencing a chronic mobility issue or disability and are looking for best stairlifts for your home to add to your freedom of motion, then you have found the right article.

Here you will find a couple of questions you need to ask yourself before you consider the best stairlift brands and models. then, two stair lift manufacturers will be introduced. you should be in a better position to decide what stair lift may best suit your needs when you are done reading. The two manufacturers reviewed are Sterling Stairlifts and Ameriglide Stairlifts. Let’s begin with the questions.

Battery powered or mains powered?

Some companies offer battery powered lift chairs only; others offer both; yet some will specialize on mains powered units. you want to ask yourself what works best for you. Battery powered stair lifts are less messy. there is no wires or cables to run up or down the stairs that one can trip on. The disadvantage of the batteries for stair lifts is that, as all batteries, they need to be recharged. so if you choose a battery powered stair lift be sure to find a stair lift whose batteries are conveniently recharged.

Outdoor or indoor?

That should be an easy question to answer. if you are planning an outdoor stair lift, it needs to be weather proof and rust proof. you will also want to make sure it has a rain cover that you can protect it with when not in use.

Straight or curved stairs?

Finally, are your stairs straight up or curved? Curved stair lifts are quite a bit more expensive. Depending on your geometry you could substitute two or more straight stairlifts for a curved one and come out ahead financially. however, is the extra effort of getting in and out of the stairlift chair worth it for you? only you can answer this question.

Best Stairlifts Company Reviews

Sterling Stairlifts is the UK based company which produces the famous Minivator. Sterling has been producing stairlifts since the 1970s. In the UK, Sterling is actually known as Minivator Ltd. Sterling Stairlifts is its US branch. their stairlift product choices include stairlifts, outdoor stairlifts, and vertical platform lifts.

Ameriglide Stairlifts is possibly the most diverse manufacturers of stairlift equipment. besides regular stairlifts, they offer a selection of heavy duty stairlifts, bathroom lifts, even residential elevators and dumbwaiters. As an alternative to outdoor stairlift, they offer residential platform lifts, which is the best stairlift solution for someone who is using the same wheelchair or mobility scooter in the house and outside the house.

Caution: do not neglect to answer the above questions before you look closely into the brands and models. you need to ask yourself these question to make sure you will find the best stairlifts company and the best stairlift model for you.

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Before You Buy TK Access Stair-Glide Outdoor Stair Lift, Review This Report

August 7, 2011

When you have a mobility disability, there are scores of products coming on the marketplace that claim to help you regain your flexibility and independence. a few of these mobility products are really useful and worthwhile. An excellent indicator which ones are better is high user acceptance as well as longevity of the product. An established player within the outdoor stair lift arena named TK Access Outdoor Stair-Glide is meeting this criteria and looking good…

This useful product is the brainchild of and being developed by ThyssenKrupp Access, a.k.a. TK Access, a mobility arm of a major German manufacturer Thyssen Krupp. what TK Access Stair-Glide has been doing so well that it’s growing its client list is providing people who have difficulty navigating the outside stairs to their home with a completely effortless way to climb these stairs.

Stair-Glide has been known for its ability to conquer curved stairs for just about 60 years. Such longevity testifies to the fact that the product is good, and that it serves its purpose well.

Two unique features of TK Access Stair-Glide

Two specific elements differentiate ThyssenKrupp Access Stair-Glide as way ahead of whoever’s in the 2nd place. these two unique features are the ability to be installed on the curved stairs, even on the spiral stairs and the ability to withstand the forces of nature as an outdoor stair lift. Let’s discuss both of these features, each in its turn.

The capacity to be installed on spiral stairs outdoors is wonderful for people who enjoy spiral stairs because of their charming looks yet have had trouble finding any outdoor lift that can be installed on spiral stairs.

In fact, the Stair-Glide at this time is the only curved stair lift that can be installed indoors or outdoors and can withstand rain, wind, sun rays, and the dust.

And failures of the setup? Well, the main downside for the TK Access Stair-Glide setup is most likely that you will have to be diligent in using its protective covers any time you are done using the stair glide. Failure to do so could reduce the useful lifetime of the product.

Summarizing, TK Access has a great product, just full of superior features. It has a fast-growing new client list. if you’re going to install an outdoor stairlift, it will definitely be worth taking a closer look at it and try it out. a growing number of happy clients are not often wrong…

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Advantages Of Stairlifts

August 5, 2011

Stairlifts are part of the wide spectrum of mobility solutions that have revolutionized the lives of Americans with disability. these solutions have been required by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) to be installed in commercial establishments. Now the advantages of stairlifts can be felt by all who’ve been benefited by the independence and comfort it offers for the elderly and the disabled.

First produced and marketed in the 1930s chiefly among victims of polio, the stairlift was first designed in the 1920s by the Pennsylvania’s C.C. Crispen to help his sick friend climb stairs. the plan was to create a chair that could climb stairs! the simplicity of the concept is probably the reason contributing to the increasing popularity of stairlifts.

o They don’t take much space, only require rails to be fixed in an unobtrusive way by the side of the staircase.

o The electric and/or battery-powered (AC – alternating current) chair is fixed on one end and travels through the rails.

o Available for all kinds of staircases – straight, curved or spiral – one of the advantages of stairlifts is that they’re the least expensive of all mobility solutions, requiring much lesser green than the residential elevator and platform lift.

Stairlifts are relatively simpler to install, with only installation for the curved and spiral staircase requiring more time and customization. the more complex the design of the staircase, the greater the costs of installation incurred and the time taken to deliver the finished stairlift. in such cases it generally takes up to 3 months for delivery, depending on the manufacturer. with straight staircases though, the complexity and costs are significantly reduced. the cost of the stairlift is directly proportional to the extent of your need.

Stairlift rails are made from steel or aluminum, with steel the choice for curved and complex staircases. with 90-degree and 180-degree swivel seats available, the user could experience more comfort and flexibility.

o Bruno Stairlifts create some of the most technologically advanced of stairlifts in the market, their model list also including the exclusive outdoor straight-ail straight lift.

o Acorn and Stannah are some of the other leading stairlift manufacturers offering a good number of features.

Let the advantages of stairlifts help your elderly or disabled loved ones experience sweet freedom.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Robbins

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