2 · SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2019 TRIB TOTAL MEDIA
HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD HOME STAIR LIFT
Dear Savvy Senior,
Can you recommend some good stair lift
companies? I have a difficult time getting
up and down the stairs and am interested
in purchasing a stair lift for my house but
could use some help choosing one.
— Arwthritic Ann
Dear Ann,
A good home stair lift is an
excellent solution for those with
mobility challenges who have
trouble with steps. A stair lift will
carry you up and down the stairs
in a safe seated position, providing
easy access to the second story
or basement level of your home.
To help you choose a quality stair lift that
meets your needs and budget, here are a few
shopping tips, along with some top-rated
companies that make them.
Types of lifts
There are two basic types of stair lifts that
are sold today: straight and curved. The type
you need will depend upon the design of
your staircase.
A straight stair lift is one that travels in
a straight line up a flight of stairs uninterrupted
by landings, bends or curves, and costs
between $2,500 and $5,000 installed. Curved
lifts, however, are much more
elaborate and will go around
corners, bends and changes in
direction. Curved lifts are also
much more expensive, typically
running between $8,500 and
$15,000 or more depending on
the complexity of the installation.
You also need to know that
all stair lifts mount to the stair treads, not to
the wall, so they are very sturdy and can be
installed in almost any home.
If you are a large person, you might need
to get a heavy-duty lift with a wider seat and
bigger lifting capacity — all companies offer
them. Or, if you’re tall, find out about raising
the seat height during installation.
Most stair lifts available today also have
seats, armrests and footplates that fold up out
of the way, and swivel seats that make getting
into and out of the chair easier.
They also come with standard safety features,
such as seatbelts, breaking systems and
footrest sensors, push-button or rocker-switch
controls located on the armrest for easy operation
and “call send” controls which allow
you to call or send the unit to the other end
of the stairs.
Make sure the lift you choose has all these
features.
Depending on the company, you might
also have the option of choosing between
an electric (AC) and a battery-powered (DC)
stair lift. Battery-powered units charge at the
base station (some recharge anywhere on the
track) are quieter, smoother and better than
electric lifts, and will work even if there’s a
power failure in the home.
Where to shop
While there are many companies that make
and sell stair lifts, two of the best, based on
reputation and customer satisfaction ratings,
are Bruno (Bruno.com, 800-454-4355) and
Stannah (Stannah-Stairlifts.com, 888-465-
7652).
Unfortunately, original Medicare does not
cover stair lifts nor do Medicare supplemental
(Medigap) policies, but some Medicare Advantage
plans might help pay. There are also
many states that offer Medicaid waivers that
will pay for lifts to those who qualify, and the
VA offers cash grants to veterans with disabilities
for home safety improvements.
To save some money, you might want to
consider purchasing a used or refurbished
model. Or, if you need a stair lift for only a
short period of time, consider renting one.
Most companies offer these options, and
many offer financing programs, too.
To get started, contact some stair lift companies
who will put you in touch with a dealer
in your area. All dealers provide free in-home
assessments and estimates and can help you
choose an appropriate lift.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior,
P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit
SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to
the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy
Senior” book.
Jim Miller
SAVVY SENIOR
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