The Baby Boomer generation is characterized as highly determined and independent.
If you fit into this category, you’ll know that getting older isn’t going to stop you from staying in the comfort of your own home for as long as possible.
After all, the benefits of independent aging are well-documented.
Declining mobility and balance is a fact of life, even for healthy and active seniors.
This means that your home might need some modifications, to accommodate your changing physical needs.
One of the best ways to stay safe and independent at home is to get a stairlift installed.
Stannah is one of the most highly-rated lift manufacturers in the world today.
They’ve been around for over 150 years and started as crane and hoist manufacturers in the London dockyards.
Over the years they branched into service elevators, platform elevators, home elevators – and of course, stairlifts.
If you think they really know lift technology, you’re right.
Stannah Stair Lift Products
Stannah manufactures the four main types of stairlifts: straight, curved, standing, and outdoor lifts.
Straight stairlifts move you up and down a simple staircase, while curved lifts are custom-designed to wrap around turns and landings. Outdoor stairlifts help you access your driveway, porch or jetty, and are hardy enough to withstand rain, UV rays, and even snow and ice.
- The Siena stairlift is a straight model that can be adapted with your choice of seat width, vinyl color, and height of the staircase. You can upgrade the lift to turn automatically at the top and bottom of the stairs, to let you move off the seat in complete safety.
- The Starla stairlift is Stannah’s curved model that can be built to go around turns and across landings. It can even manage a spiral staircase. The rails are made to measure to fit your exact stair configuration.
- The Sadler stairlift is a standing or “perch” lift, designed for people with limited flexibility in their hips, knees, and back. It carries you up and down your staircase in a position that’s halfway between sitting and standing.
- Stannah’s outdoor stairlift is a rugged model that transports you safely up your porch steps to your front door, down to your back garden, or whatever other areas you want to access.
Stannah Stair Lift Features
- Stannah stairlift seat and armrests flip down manually, and the footrest folds at the touch of a button.
- The lift controllers are intuitive, so you can just push them in the direction you want to go.
- The lifts don’t stop on a dangerous part of the staircase – they are designed to move you away from the stairs.
- You can opt for a power swivel function to the seat, so it faces you safely away from the stairs.
- Retractable rails allow you to move them away from a doorway or passageway.
- Stannah lifts come in a choice of light or dark wooden trim, vinyl upholstery, or soft fabric in a variety of colors.
- The lifts have a battery backup, so you won’t get trapped on the staircase in case of a power outage.
- The lifts have a call-send button feature that brings your lift to you or send it elsewhere to park out of the way.
- The lift chairs foldaway along the side of your stairs for space-saving and discretion.
- Outdoor stairlifts can be locked to allow only you to use them.
- Sensors on the outdoor lifts stop if they come across obstructions.
Stannah Stair Lifts Prices
Stannah stairlift costs depend on various factors, that you should consider before choosing your lift:
- How long is the staircase?
- How many landings does the staircase have?
- What weight capacity is needed?
- What style of seat and rails do you like?
- Do you want power options or other upgrades for the lift?
For some, the cost of a stairlift can seem prohibitive. These are highly engineered safety, appliances, so they don’t come at a budget price. However, being able to move safely and freely around all areas of your home can be well worth the expense. You won’t have to sell up and relocate, or pay for a carer. So you should do a “Stannah stairlift cost-benefit analysis” and decide if it’s right for you.
Most stair lift installations are custom-built to suit your home, at least to some degree. You can expect to pay the least amount of money for a standard, no-frills straight stair lift for a relatively short staircase of 12-14 steps. You’ll pay more for a curved lift, or a rugged outdoor lift.
If you want special features like an extra-strong seat and rail for bariatric users, a powered swivel seat, or any other add-ons – the price will rise accordingly.
Below is the price range you should expect to budget for, if you’re thinking of installing a Stannah stairlift.
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A Stannah stairlift will fit neatly into any home, no matter how what kind of staircase you have. They come highly recommended by dealers and customers alike, with most online ratings being 4 or over out of 5.
While a stairlift is a great way to maintain independence in the comfort of your home, it can be a pretty big financial outlay. You’re probably wondering what the downsides are.
The main downside of a lift install is that Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of stairlifts. They’re considered to be home modifications, and not “durable medical equipment”.
There are other funding options available if you’re interested in a stairlift. Senior organizations can often help you fund a stairlift installation. If you’re a military veteran, you might be able to secure funding through the VA. Various dealers of Stannah stairlifts also offer financing plans, so you can pay for the lift over a period of time.
If you’re fully cognizant of all the facts of buying a stairlift, these installations can be well worth what you pay for them. After all, you’re young at heart, and you deserve to live your life at home as freely as you always have.