Stairlift

I have recently moved house due to the fact that I could not manage the stairs within my house. This was a mortgaged property which I unfortunately have not been able to sell for nearly a year. I am now looking to rent the property as I have a mortgage still to pay and a rent for the new house. I have gone from having 3 bedrooms to 1 bedroom and miss my spacious house that I had before and also my access from the back garden with my mobility scooter. I thought about moving back to this house but have been advised by my OT and Housing Department that the house is not suitable for my needs. It would be suitable if I could access the staircase and was thinking of getting a stair lift installed. Does anyone have any experience of having this done and if this is suitable for someone with PPMS. I have gone downhill fairly quickly over the past year and my walking is down to nearly nothing. I would be very grateful to receive anybody’s comments on experience of this kind of thing. Much love. xxxx

Hi there

Sorry can’t help but wanted to say, you might get more replies on EL - I looked but couldn’t see whether you’d posted on there as well. I hope you get some replies…

B x

Cheers for that will give it a try

Barbara

xx

Hi Barbara

I have a stairlift, I had it installed in 2003, social services paid for it but they don’t do that now if you live in your own home.

When I first got it i thought it was a waste of time because it goes so slow, but I was finding it differcult to get up the stairs

Well now I think it’s a God send , because I can’t walk up or down stairs. OT knew what they were doing advising me to get one.

Lynne xx

Hi Lynne

Thank you so much for your experience of having a stair lift which I can imagine is a god send to you. Is just the need in you to stay in your own home and have the familiarity of that with you. Was looking at making a bedroom and downstairs shower/bathroom as well but I will keep what you say in mind when making my decisions.

Take care and keep well. xx Barbara

Hi Barbara

Yes thats another alternative, a friend of mine who also has MS has done that, but her husband built an extension on the side of their house. That’s a bit more expensive than a stairlift. I hope it works out for you.

Lynne xx

I have a Bison stairlift which we had installed privately in 2004. It was 2nd hand but installed by a Bison engineer. I had been wating for over 18 weeks for assessment by Soc. Services (in spite of receiving a letter that stated I would be assessed ‘within 16 weeks’!)

I would be lost to death without it as it saves me draining my ‘energy pot’ all in one go. I can manage stairs but it takes so much out of me I am drained for at least 1/2 hour and if I forgot something - forget it.

There are various options so look around - DO NOT BE PRESSURED BY SALESMEN. We asked Acorn to come and quote before we went away on holiday and when we returned they had completely filled the answerphone and I received a letter congratulating us as we were soon to be the proud owners of an Acorn stairlift. Thankfully I have more about me than to be allowed to be bullied and told them, in no uncertain terms, to go forth and multiply. Stannah tried to tell us (after failing to turn up for his 1st appointment) that they couldn’t install it because if I fell off down stairs it would block the door, I pointed out that if I fell downstairs without it I would still block the door and we have a backdoor entrance in any case! Exit salesman.

There are alternatives to getting up and down stairs without a ‘stairlift’ - they can install a ‘through the floor lift’ taking anyone even if wheelchair bound up/down between ground floor to 1st floor. We go to Naidex most years, just to keep our eyes on developments and to see what new things are on the market, It’s free admission the next one is at the NEC Birmingham on 1st to 3rd May, try their website for full information.

Good luck and don’t be defeated there is always a way if you are prepared to search for it. Ann

I have a Bison stairlift which we had installed privately in 2004. It was 2nd hand but installed by a Bison engineer. I had been wating for over 18 weeks for assessment by Soc. Services (in spite of receiving a letter that stated I would be assessed ‘within 16 weeks’!)

I would be lost to death without it as it saves me draining my ‘energy pot’ all in one go. I can manage stairs but it takes so much out of me I am drained for at least 1/2 hour and if I forgot something - forget it.

There are various options so look around - DO NOT BE PRESSURED BY SALESMEN. We asked Acorn to come and quote before we went away on holiday and when we returned they had completely filled the answerphone and I received a letter congratulating us as we were soon to be the proud owners of an Acorn stairlift. Thankfully I have more about me than to be allowed to be bullied and told them, in no uncertain terms, to go forth and multiply. Stannah tried to tell us (after failing to turn up for his 1st appointment) that they couldn’t install it because if I fell off down stairs it would block the door, I pointed out that if I fell downstairs without it I would still block the door and we have a backdoor entrance in any case! Exit salesman.

There are alternatives to getting up and down stairs without a ‘stairlift’ - they can install a ‘through the floor lift’ taking anyone even if wheelchair bound up/down between ground floor to 1st floor. We go to Naidex most years, just to keep our eyes on developments and to see what new things are on the market, It’s free admission the next one is at the NEC Birmingham on 1st to 3rd May, try their website for full information.

Good luck and don’t be defeated there is always a way if you are prepared to search for it. Ann

i have a stair lift had it for about 5yrs its great i can stay in my own house etc yes it is slow but its thprice you pay!! social services installed mine on say so of my ot, good luck