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Has anyone had any experience with chair lifts?

14 years ago

Hubby and I are in our eighties and are finding it difficult to go up and down the stairs. It's downright scary, to tell the truth. I wish our home were on one floor. We are seriously considering a chair lift and I have read about a few but can't find any reviews. Reviews don't always mean much though. I wondered if any of you have had any experience with companys that you would reccommend or would say to stay away from. I think you are much younger than we are but maybe you have elderly parents or friends who use one. We live just above Atlanta. Many thanks.

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Comments (9)

gazania_gw
14 years ago
I have a stair lift on my basement stairs. It is very old but meets my needs. There has been a lot of improvements in them since mine was made. Your most important concern should be the company that installs one for you. Do a web search for handicapped medical supplies in your area. Then ask for names of people that they have installed for that you can call for references.
User
14 years ago
Go check out the building forum. Elevators have been mentioned a few times there. Some of the builders may have had experience installing chairlifts also. You might also check out the caregivers forum.
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No advice here either but here are some things to think about. The dining room says 13'6" x 12'. Except the usable space for placing a table and chairs when accounting for walking room is actually 7'6" long x 6' because you need to assume 3' from each wall for walking around a table with chairs. Same problem in the nook, except in the nook you also have the only doors out to the backyard. Then the question is do you need 3 small separate living spaces downstairs plus a dining nook, the island with bar seating and the dining room? Are you really going to use all three dining spaces where they're worth spending the money for the space or could the space be better utilized by, as an example, combining the two dining spaces into one larger space and having the dining space and the seating at the island? Upstairs the master bedroom shares a bedroom wall with bedroom 4. And the only wall for the master bed to go on is against the wall shared with bedroom 4. That could um, get embarrassing. Bedroom 3 has the toilet against its wall. It also has its closet against the outside wall. A wall that would be better used by having an additional window. Bedroom 3 says the width is 11'2" but with the closet and desk that space is actually 9'2". Bedroom 2 says it's 10'10" but the usable space because of the closet makes it only 8'8" and with the bifold doors, you need to account for those too. The prime corner real estate is taken up not with the master bedroom but with the master bath.
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pam_25f
14 years ago
My neighbors used one. We live in a rural area and they used a local company and were very pleased. Your stairway needs to be big enough. I encourage you to look into it. Good luck.
kathi_mdgd
14 years ago
My sister lives in senior housing in N.Y. state and a fewyears ago they put one in for her.First they put handrails,then as she aged and her health was not so good they put the lift in.She loves it and says it saved her life as she couldn't go up and down anymore as she lives on the 2nd floor.

Those are the dumbest senior apts i've ever seen,told her a man must have designed them(no offense to men ).The stairs are very steep and there is no landing to stop and rest at,and when you get to the top there is no door,gate or anything of that nature at the top.

Among being older she is also an epileptic,and we always worry about getting too close to the stairs on the way to the kitchen,lose her balance or have a seizure and tumble down those stairs.

When she first moved in many years ago they didn't even have the hand rails,she had to request them.She lives in a very small town so there aren't a lot of choices for seniors.
Kathi
ghoghunter
14 years ago
I got one last year when my Father got sick. The company was Higher Mobility. They came right out with only a short notice..measured and installed it all within a few days. I wanted it in place before my Dad got out of the hospital. They were great. My Dad recovered and doesn't use it now but we kept it because none of us are getting any younger and might as well just keep it!! My hubby uses it to take the laundry basket up and down on laundry day!!!!
Joann
gmom74
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks to all of you. I will begin checking around to see what is available in this area and get some references. We need to get it done soon.
marie_ndcal
14 years ago
Just a thought--make sure you do not need a permit to have it installed. They will check to make sure all the supports are strong enough.
gmom74
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks marie- I never thought about that. I'll check.
nanny98
14 years ago
Guess What??? Today we are going to 'try' my RV chair lift(sans seat), to lift the 85 lb rescue dog into the RV for a week long trip.Lots of ups and downs to come, so I am crossing fingers (and wondering what to use as a substitute for first attempt) and toes that this is going to work. RV steps are pretty steep and narrow. Wish us luck.

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