94 yr old MIL needs stair lift - what's good?

[newbury]

As the title says -
My 94 yr old MIL is still mobile and lives alone, with some cleaning help for 2 days a week. She's got a straight flight of stairs (6 steps) between her "living" and bedroom area. We need to get her a lift.

What's good, what's bad?

This is for near Tupelo, Ms if it matters.

 

[oosik]

The only one I've ever seen is that brand advertised on TV. They advertised that there is a lifetime warrantee on repairs and maintenance. Can not remember the name right now.

I would suggest contacting her doctor or medical insurance company to see if they can recommend a brand. Either may be able to provide valued information.

Another thought - - like most equipment made for the impaired, I would expect a healthy price.

If your MIL has medical insurance - they may be able to assist with the costs involved.

 

[Diggin It]

For six steps, would it be completely unreasonable to reconfigure to a ramp?

 

[oosik]

Hmmm - a ramp may be ideal if there is room to install. A ramp DOES require increased room because of the decreased slope.

 

[Wagtail]

Does your MIL really like crisps (potato chips)?

Gary Lineker rockets to new heights in New Walkers Crisps Stairlift TV ad - YouTube

 

[SJay]

Find a dealer for Bruno. They are American made in Wisconsin. Go to Bruno.com. I have installed over 800 lifts, if you have any questions you can PM me. Stay away from Acorn.

 

[TripleR]

Hmmm - a ramp may be ideal if there is room to install. A ramp DOES require increased room because of the decreased slope.

True, you can down load plans and required specs per ADA. There was not enough room in my garage, so it had to go outside. It is also too seep for many to get up under muscle power.

Find a dealer for Bruno. They are American made in Wisconsin. Go to Bruno.com. I have installed over 800 lifts, if you have any questions you can PM me. Stay away from Acorn.

Could a skilled person install one or must it be someone approved by the dealer It is embarrassing how little insurance pays, so far I am $10k out of pocket.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I took one out of my lady friends new house. She listed it and the guy is supposed to pick it up as I write this. I rode it a couple of times so we could say it was working. Actually, planting your butt on that little seat atop the stairs was a bit unsettling.

It might have been an Acorn, and was wireless so you could have the thing come to you if for some reason it was at the wrong end of the stairs.

It had a power rail, and gell cell batteries kept charged by an AC adapter.

 

[SJay]

True, you can down load plans and required specs per ADA. There was not enough room in my garage, so it had to go outside. It is also too seep for many to get up under muscle power.



Could a skilled person install one or must it be someone approved by the dealer It is embarrassing how little insurance pays, so far I am $10k out of pocket.

Sure a skilled person can install one - some dealers will not sell you one if they are not installing. 10K out of pocket? -- for a stair lift - sounds really high unless it is curved. Are you talking about a platform or vertical lift??

 

[Industrial Toys]

I was actually surprised as was my friends BIL who is an IT specialist, how much trouble we had figuring out how to take it apart. Defeated, we removed it in one piece!

EDIT IT was a Bruno, she got $1200. CDN only a couple of years old.