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Elderly parents

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Original poster

Talk to me about stair lifts

13 replies

LovingChristmas · 28/10/2011 14:55

Hi all

Just after some advice really, after my FIL took a nasty tumble yesterday which needed medical attention, my PIL's have decided (after much nagging and bullying) that actually now they are in their 80's with steep stairs and medical problems (bad backs, hips and dizzy spells). That a stairlift would help!! Hooray only took a year.
Anyway, I rang immediately to Stannah (only name I could think off) who are coming next week, but are there any others that people recommend, and also are they as good as the reviews make out, the couple of personal experiences I know of certainly seem to be, but equally I don't want to push them to potentially spend 5k of retirement fund on something that won't actually help them.

If it helps we are in the Notts area.

Thanks

OP posts:

NoVeggiesBeforeSkeggies · 28/10/2011 15:01

My grandma recently had a stairlift installed, it's a Stannah one but preowned.
It was supplied and fitted (by the company) within a few days after ordering.
I think it cost around £700, including aftercare/support/warranty/thing.

If cost is a factor I could find out the number for you? (Hope this isn't insulting)
We're in East Mids.

Hope your FIL is ok after his fall.

NoVeggiesBeforeSkeggies · 28/10/2011 15:03

Meant to add, they are really happy with it.
Looks much neater, and is quieter than I imagined too.

notcitrus · 28/10/2011 15:36

I think Acorn are the only other major manufacturers - most other firms just resell them and Stannah. Have a look at the ads pages in the back of the Radio Times/Daily Mail/Telegraph as they always have several for stairlifts.

If either of your inlaws are large make sure the stairlift is designed for their weight plus anything they might want to carry. Also ensure there's a call mechanism included so the lift can be called down/up for the other person. And how easy it is to fold away out of the way. WIll they have to hold a button down the whole time to make it move - can be awkward if they have painful hands or are carrying a tray, but may be a required safety feature. Seatbelt may be useful.

I don't have any direct experience as my ILs moved to a bungalow in the end instead.

starfishmummy · 28/10/2011 15:48

You could contact their Local Authority, Social Services Occupational Therapists (these are not the NHS ones) for advice. They may have a centre where your parents can go and see various "aids" including stairlifts before they buy them - the one here you can "self refer" to for an assessment of what they need. It DOESN'T mean a social worker poking round in their lives, although they may ask a bit about finances to see if they qualify to get them free. We have had stuff from them for DS and that's all - they don't bother us at all (we are in a different area).

Your parent's might also consider applying for attendance allowance if (both of them or just one of them) if they have on going helth issues. It isn't means tested. When my Dad applied my brother and I arranged to go to Age Concern (now Age UK??) to get some help with the form - the lady din't fill it in for us but asked the "right" questions so we knew what we should be putting down iyswim.

Original poster

LovingChristmas · 28/10/2011 15:49

Hi Veggies, not insulting at all, I appreciate all the responses. My PIL have got money to spend so it isn't an issue, however for value we are looking at potentially a reconditioned one. I think we would like to stick to the major manufacturers purely for the issues with warranty and service etc.

Notcitrus - I'm going to try acorn next, I have also spoken to Companion, who seemed quite honest, and said the three big manufacturers are Minivator (who companion deal with), Acorn and Stannah. I can't believe what a minefield it is, it's like getting quotes for bloody windows!

FIL is fine now, and back to cantankerous (sp?) self, albeit with a big cut on his head and a stitch in a deeper cut (fell backwards through glass paned door).

OP posts:

starfishmummy · 28/10/2011 15:50

please excuse my spelling!!

Original poster

LovingChristmas · 28/10/2011 16:14

No worries Starfish, thanks for your advice, to be honest anything that is means tested they won't get, as they have some money put aside for things anyway, and they aren't too worried about that.

I have to say so far I have got Acorn, Stannah and Companion all lined up and they are all very honest saying it's a competitive market and that in laws need to be happy with what is being offered etc, and take the time to make a decision etc.

I'll keep you posted!

OP posts:

gremlindolphin · 29/10/2011 14:51

Stannah and Acorn are the main ones.

Beware that the sales people are a bit like double glazing salesman - they will have a deal for you but only if you sign on the day they come etc etc. Our one sat for ages talking on his phone saying what nice people we were and how could he get us the best deal! I imagine he wasn't actually talking to anyone!

Our circumstances changed and we didn't need one anymore but Acorn kept ringing and writing for ages with various deals etc.

The products were good and their knowledge and expertise seemed good.

CokeFan · 29/10/2011 15:04

My mum had one when she was waiting for a hip operation (turned out to be v complicated because they found out she needed a heart valve replacement first so she had 2 waits). I think she had an Acorn one - reconditioned - not exactly the speediest thing in the world, but it fitted on to the stairs, not the wall so it didn't make too much mess when she had it removed after her op.

The seat folded up so it was reasonably out of the way for anyone else to get past it.

I think you might be able to hire them - not sure though.

gingeroots · 29/10/2011 16:32

Make sure the seat is right height for user .
Someone I care for has one and it was fine until her mobility deterioated further and then we all realised that the seat was in fact too high for her to get on and off easily .
Even tho she'd managed for a few years earlier .

gramercy · 30/10/2011 13:49

Speaking from personal experience (MIL had the stairlift ripped out two days after installation!) ensure that your Fil tests one out first.

Mil was terrified to get on it, and as their stairs wind round at a sharp angle, she nearly tipped out going round the corner and had to hold her legs tightly in, which for her was impossible as she has bad arthritis.

An0therName · 30/10/2011 18:37

I would really recommend getting either reconditioned or renting as there is not way sadly of telling how long they will be used

reelingintheyears · 05/12/2011 14:38

My Mum had one put in recently after a bad fall,she's 86.
It's a Minivator and was fitted by Dolphin stairlifts.
They measured up on the Tuesday and fitted it on the Thursday.
It's very simple and easy to work and the recoditioned were about £900 and the had a one year warranty.
The new one was £1350 and has two years warranty.

It also has a seat belt but Mum's stiars are straight up and down and i don't think she uses it.

And they are recommended by AgeUK.
(Dolphin,that is)

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