Hints and tips on buying stairlifts

Stairlifts have been a godsend for quite some time for the elderly and disabled who have mobility problems. For those who have trouble getting around the house, stairlifts are a much more practical and cost-effective solution than moving into a bungalow. The other alternative is home adaptations, which can result in the rather sad situation of your relative being confined to the downstairs of their home.

Crowded stairlift market

Thanks to stairlifts, the elderly and disabled can stay in their own home, where all the surroundings are familiar to them, and which is near to their friends and amenities.

So, having decided that a stair lift is the way forward for your relative, which one is right for their circumstances? Well, the UK stairlifts marketplace is a crowded one. Around a dozen major stairlift manufacturers compete for a growing customer base – more and more of us are elderly, but living longer doesn’t mean that we don’t have problems with our knees.

Before you even speak to a stair lift manufacturer or retailer, we advise talking to anyone you know who has bought a stairlift. Ask them about the benefits they’ve experienced and the drawbacks, if any.

Contact as many reputable companies as you can so you can compare their stairlift products and prices. Remember that reliability and safety are the key factors.

When you’re considering stairlifts, don’t be afraid to grill the sales representative. After all, any sales rep worth his salt should know all his products inside and out. You should be able to talk about your particular staircase, physical problems and budget, and expect sensible answers.

Stairlift warranties

Ask for all the information you can get on the company and its stair lifts. Find out how long they’ve been in business. Make sure that they have full insurance. Can they let you see genuine customer testimonials?

What about once the stairlift is installed? How long will the warranty be for? Can you extend it and if so for how long? What’s included? Some companies will give a lifetime guarantee – but it’s only for certain parts. What about service and support? How quickly will they come out if the stairlift breaks down? Do they use their own stairlift engineers or is the service subcontracted, meaning you might have to wait for your lift to be fixed?

You should also research online about the stairlift companies – look for negative (or positive) comments in forums and in the media. You should also stay clear of cold callers selling you stairlifts and try to take each stair lift for a test ride in the showrooms before you make any decisions.
Selecting the correct stairlift will also mean considering the individual needs of the stairlift user and deciding which features will suit best – not just now, but in the future.

Curved or straight stairlift?

Once you’ve decided on a stairlift manufacturer, you’ll need to get your stairs assessed by a company representative. You should be aware that there are two principal types of stairlift ? straight and curved. Straight stairlifts are intended for stairs that have no bends or half-landings. If your stairs are perfectly straight, you’ll find the cost of this kind of stair lift quite reasonable.

If, however, your stairs have any kind of bend, corner or half-landing, you’ll need a curved stairlift. This is much less straightforward. It means that your stairlift will need to be custom-built for your staircase. This, of course, means that you’d better be sure that you need a stairlift, as it can’t go back to the factory. It means that your stairlift will be much more expensive than a straight one.

One slightly cheaper option if you would like to stick to straight stairlifts but have a curved staircase is two or more runs of straight stair lifts with a bridging platform. This does mean having two lifts, which means paying twice. It also means that you or your relative might be faced with more maintenance costs, as you will have the upkeep of two motors. This does, however, mean that you could enter the reconditioned stairlift market, thereby theoretically reducing your costs.

Stairlift sales rep

These days, you’ll also have a home visit from a stair-lift company representative. When the stairlift sales rep calls round at your relative’s, try to arrange for you or another relative or friend to be there, too. It’s going to be important to remember the information and to ask key questions.

The stairlift-company rep should thoroughly assess the staircase and ask pertinent questions about your relative’s needs, including how easy it is for them to get on and off the stairlift. They should be able to provide a quote in writing for the full cost of the stairlift, including installation.
When the sales rep is in your relative’s home, it’s very easy to feel pressurised. They sound very convincing – but that’s their job. Just because you’ve had a stair-lift assessment doesn’t mean you have to buy. Try to talk to as many stairlift companies as possible before making any decisions.

One great solution is to call an independent retailer like UK Stairlifts, who can give you impartial advice about the right stairlift for your relative’s circumstances.

Reconditioned stair lifts

A reconditioned stair lift is another option to consider. Reconditioned stairlifts have been owned by someone else. With a reconditioned stair lift, both the stairlift and rail have been refurbished. They’re practically as good as new, and will usually give your relative many years of good service.

Buying a reconditioned stair lift is a great option. That’s because most of the lift is brand new. You’ll get a new seat, new rail and a reconditioned engine. This new engine should be good for a few years. For those on a budget, a reconditioned stair lift will mean a saving of around one-third on the price of a new stairlift.

Whenever you see a supplier with reconditioned stairlifts for sale, do ask a lot of questions about the stair lift. At UK Stairlifts, we would advise also not to buy a reconditioned stair lift that’s more than 18 months old, to ensure it’s in tip-top shape. Make sure you get a one-year warranty, too.

Hopefully, you’ll have found this brief introduction to buying stairlifts useful. All the main stairlift manufacturers have comprehensive websites. However, for truly impartial advice based around your or your relative’s circumstances, it might be best to approach an independent retailer, such as UK Stairlifts.

A woman rides the Levant Stair Lift, made by ThyssenKrupp Access. More information is available about this stair lift at tkaccess.com. ThyssenKrupp Access is the world’s leading manufacturer in stair lifts, residential elevators and wheelchair lifts.
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Choosing a comfortable bed and mattress

The type of bed and mattress is a critical decision for people with back problems. While little is known about the type of mattress is good for the back and little medical information about adjustable beds, there are still a lot of questions as to whether or not an adjustable bed is a better alternative for flat mattresses for people suffering from back problems.

How an adjustable bed works

As the name implies, adjustable beds (also called a Semi-Fowler bed), can be attuned to various positions. Sleeping slightly inclined gives comfort to people with back problems with the upper body slightly elevated than the lower body and support to the knees at a slight angle. This position eases some stress off the lower back. It provides support to the spinal curves and lightens the pressure on the entire body.

Potential benefits of an adjustable bed

An adjustable bed provides comfort sleeping slightly inclined compared to lying on a regular flat mattress. How certain back conditions can be lightened up and give more comfort provided to people are seen in the following situations

* Degenerative spondylolisthesis. Adjustable beds reduces the pain discomfort in the lower back allowing a comfortable sleep the rest of the night.

* Osteoarthritis. This back problem is accompanied by stiffness and sore during the morning. Adjustable beds give better support by lessening compression in the joints.

* Spinal stenosis. People with this back problem find comfort bending forward rather than standing upright. Flat mattresses provide lesser comfort compared to sleeping inclined which is offered by adjustable beds.

After undergoing surgery in the lower back, patients felt more comfort using adjustable beds compared to flat mattresses.

While a patient may not be sure of the benefits from an adjustable bed or is unsure of purchasing a new bed, a possible option is by propping up the upper body by using pillows beneath the knees.

Patient’s preference should determine the choice of bed and mattress

Sleeping comfort is still the determining factor in the choice of bed or mattress. No particular type of mattress or bed is guaranteed to work for all patients, and no medical studies proves that adjustable beds are preferable. Whatever bed or mattress gives sleep comfort without extra pain is deemed as the best option.

Sleeping or lying down is the only time in which complete relaxation is experienced by the muscles, ligaments and the spine. A person suffering from a back injury needs to have a good sleep in order to help in the healing process.

Jan Thomsen is writing health, diet and exercise articles for the 1200 calories diet site and sleep and rest related articles for his Adjustable Bed Review site.

Adjustable beds can help with Acid Reflux and muscle aches

Almost everyone has seen and knows about adjustable beds. These are the kind of beds used in hospitals that have all the adjustments to allow for maximum comfort. Although some can be adjusted manually, most beds in use today are electrically operated by the user. There are many reasons why you should consider an adjustable bed. COMFORT: As we age, our sleeping preferences change. Some people prefer several pillows to raise their head. Others place pillows under their knees to relieve back stress. An adjustable bed removes the limitations of using pillows to put your body in a comfortable position. A simple push of a few buttons and your bed is set to it’s most comfortable position. USABILITY: Bedrooms have changed a lot over the years becoming not only a place to sleep but a get away oasis for many. Many master bedrooms are now equipped with full sized televisions and even entertainment centers. The latest in master suite designs also add a fireplace for that romantic though practical touch. Watching that television or enjoying the fireplace however can be uncomfortable from a typical flat bed. The reason is that a flat bed only allows for a single position. An adjustable bed allows full range of motion that can put you in the most comfortable position to actually enjoy your bedroom retreat. Watching television or enjoying the fireplace is easily accomplished by adjusting your bed to a reclining position. Your bed can literally become the most comfortable chair in the house for watching TV, reading or just relaxing. BETTER SLEEP: Unlike typical flat beds, an adjustable bed can be adjusted to match your most comfortable sleeping position. Backaches disappear and there’s no need for those pillows under your legs to straighten out your spine. One of the most rapidly growing ailments for many of us is Acid Reflux disease. Acid reflux is caused by the flap between the esophagus and stomach not sealing completely. In a flat bed, this condition may allow stomach acid to back up into the esophagus and throat, giving a sense of choking or drowning. It’s also most unpleasant as it also usually ends up causing a deep burning sensation of the esophageal lining. One successful method to limit this condition while sleeping is to use gravity. By raising your head, the sloping position limits the ability of stomach acid to travel back up the esophagus, thereby limiting the sleep disruption capacity of the disease. Instead of trying to prop several pillows up to keep your head raised, an adjustable bed makes it easy and much more comfortable to sleep. So in the end, if you enjoy your bedroom as a personal retreat or just want a better, more comfortable nights sleep, then consider an adjustable bed.

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