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Elderly parents

Temporary access to house via ramp

32 replies

Moel · 16/11/2025 23:35

looking for some pragmatic advice here. My parent’s mobility has declined to the point they can only leave the house in their wheelchair. I’ve spent a lot of time and £££ getting a ramp fitted at their property to accommodate this. It’s a semi-permanent one. Problem is at my house. Parent only comes on Xmas day so I’m looking for a solution that doesn’t cost hundreds and isn’t permanent or semi permanent. I was thinking about loading ramps as to get a specific wheelchair telescopic ramp or suitcase ramp in the length needed would be very expensive. I’m scanning for second hand ones and no joy. Weight wise loading ramps are ok. I guess they aren’t recommended for wheelchairs as there is no groove either side so the chair could conceivably slip off. My
parent can’t push themselves so there would be two people assisting. Has anyone used these for a wheelchair or does anyone have any alternative ideas?

Temporary access to house via ramp
OP posts:
Moel · 17/11/2025 00:30

WeNeedToTalkAboutIT · 16/11/2025 23:42

Have you seen evacuation/escape ramps? They are temporary ramps for getting wheelchair users out of buildings up/down one or two stairs in the event of an emergency. Start at around £80 up to around £400+.

What situation is the ramp for, exactly? A door threshold, a step or two...?

Do you mean an evacuation chair? That’s a good shout. We have them at work though I
dont think my employer would be up for loaning one out! That is another avenue to explore.

OP posts:
Moel · 17/11/2025 00:25

@Lougle yes, it’s into a house up two
steps. I need at least 6ft. The prices quoted for wheelchair specific ramps sound reasonable but the headline price is always for 2ft and by the time you size up it’s more. It’s expensive given it’s for one day and I’ve just spent close on 1k for the semi-permanent ramp in their own home. I’m trying to save some money without recklessly endangering them! Getting the loading ramps is cheaper per length. I can see the lack of lip on the outside edge of the runner would be problematic for self propelling wheelchair users, also the angle has to be calculated exactly for self propelling too however this is a one off with a couple of able bodied people to push so angle (within reason)/lip is less of a concern. I’ve looked at hiring too but there’s no options local to me.

OP posts:
Lougle · 16/11/2025 23:50

Are we talking about getting your parent into the house from the pavement/drive, rather than into the vehicle? If so, you need to measure your door threshold height. Then there will be an appropriate ramp that's fairly cheap.

Octavia64 · 16/11/2025 23:44

My DD bought a wheelchair one.

like this

https://amzn.eu/d/8KEE1fb

you need to calculate the distance you need carefully though

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.co.uk

https://amzn.eu/d/8KEE1fb?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-elderly-parents-5445483-temporary-access-to-house-via-ramp

WeNeedToTalkAboutIT · 16/11/2025 23:42

Have you seen evacuation/escape ramps? They are temporary ramps for getting wheelchair users out of buildings up/down one or two stairs in the event of an emergency. Start at around £80 up to around £400+.

What situation is the ramp for, exactly? A door threshold, a step or two...?