QA Forum

Question & Answer

We are discussing The Self Management of Arthritis
With Graeme Rossiter, Elizabeth Scrivener and Sally Ranford

Question:
Can you recommend a stair lift – we live in Brisbane.

Answer:
Sally - Thanks for your question. Although I can't recommend a particular product I can go through a general outline of the types of stairlifts and the the various pros and cons associated with them. Hope this helps address your enquiry.

Stairlifts provide a motorised means of accessing upper and lower levels of a home or building and are designed for use by people who can no longer manage stairs independently. The difficulty associated with the stairs may be due to joint pain and/or restricted movement, reduced strength, cardiovascular difficulties, respiratory difficulties and/or being a wheelchair user.

There are two main types of lifts that traverse an existing stairwell-
1) seat style stairlift and
2) wheelchair platform stairlft.
In the first type the user transfers onto a seat (with backrest and arms) which is attached to the stairlift rail -the user (or carer) controls ascent and descent of the stairlift via a handheld control.
In the second type the user remains seated in their wheelchair and the wheelchair is pushed onto a lifting platform-once secured the platform ascends/descends the stairs.

There are many factors that need to be taken into account when considering whether or not a stairlift is the most appropriate solution to your access requirements. Some of the considerations include:
- Cost -will it be more economical to purchase and intall a stairlift into your existing home or would it be more cost effective to look for an alternative home -where stair access is not a problem?
- The number of stairs and the configuration-single flight versus double flight with landing
- The physical dimensions of your eixisting stairwell-can it accommodate a stairlift?
- Structural stability of the stairwell and adjacent walls
- Are you wanting to improve internal or external access?

I encourage you to contact the Independent Living Centre in Brisbane on 1 300 885 886 to discuss your individual requirements, products available, suppliers etc. You can also look at the products contained in the national website of Independent Living Centres at www.ilcaustralia.org.-go to Product Search> QLD> Lifting, Transferring and Standing devices-12 items are currently listed. Please email me again if I can be of any further assistance.

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