What Does Stairlift Assessment Involve?
With any request for a stairlift, we will arrange a stairlift assessment of your home by one of our qualified installers so that we can provide an accurate stairlift solution & quotation. We will conduct a full survey of the stairway area within your home. The assessment will involve one of our qualified surveyors conducting a full survey of the stairway area. The assessment will provide all the measurements we need, including the rail’s length, the rail’s angle, and the rail’s best position on the stairs.
We need to ensure that the stairlift works for you!
We will need to consider any medical conditions that may affect your ability to use a stairlift. This will include measuring your leg length and your height. As well as a trusty tape measure, we have modern technology that can create a 3D visualisation of the area. This will allow us to propose models of stairlifts that will be most suitable for you and your home.
Narrow staircases – no problem
Curved or straight stairlift?
Some houses have multi-level stairs or landings, which generally means that the stairlift we recommend would be curved and it would be able to cover multiple runs of stairs. Curved stairlifts are made to measure and will fit your stairs perfectly. A straight run of stairs is the easiest to provide a solution for and installation is generally quicker.
We offer free, no-obligation stairlift surveys and quotations
“I can manage the first few steps – so should I request a shorter track?”
This is something that we are asked about quite often during the stairlift assessment. Leaving any steps at the beginning or end of the stairs not covered by the stairlift is not recommended. It may be okay in the short term however, if the users’ condition changes and their mobility decreases, it may be difficult for them to be able to manage these steps in the future, which would mean that a new track would need to be fitted!
Conditions we take into account during the stairlift Survey
Clients unable to sit
If you are unable to fully bend your knees and would have difficulty being seated on the stairlift, we also have different seats available. For example, a “perching” seat is available, which allows you to stand upright, or semi-upright may be the right solution for you.
Clients unable to bend or twist
We offer a manual or powered “swivel” seat on many stairlift models. This enables you to be delivered to the landing facing forward. This saves any twisting to get off the stairlift, which can be a problem for some users. This is also a safety feature as it prevents falls when mounting or dismounting the stairlift seat.
Automatic or manual footrest
Some clients could have issues lowering and raising the chair footrest. In these cases, we offer both manual and powered footrests which raise & lower at the touch of a button. Some stairlifts have a linking mechanism that folds the footrest into its storage position as the seat is folded.
Stairway obstructions
Many houses have radiators at the bottom and/or top of the stairway. This can obstruct the stairlift; however, we are generally able to remove or relocate the radiator. Doorways can also be an issue if they are located very near the top or bottom of the stairs.
We have options available to ensure that the stairlift rail is clear of these doorways by use of a hinge in the track that folds any part of the rail that protrudes away from the doorway. This ensures there are no trip hazards and the doorway remains clear when the stairlift is not in use. Some models also have a sliding track that slides back up (or down) when the stairlift is not used.
Other people using the stairs
If you have other family members using the stairs, then all of our stairlifts fold up when not in use. This reduces the size of the chair and allows other people to get past the stairlift easily.
Bariatric or larger users
During the stairlift assessment, we will decide if a standard or heavy-duty carriage/seat is required. Again, we can choose from many different brands and models of stairlifts to ensure that we have the right one for you. If you have questions about what you have read, get in contact and remember, we offer free, no-obligation surveys and quotations. These articles give general advice only. We recommend speaking with your GP or health professional for more specific advice on whether the solutions mentioned here are suitable and appropriate.
What’s next?
Suppose you have questions or would like to book your FREE no-obligation stairlift assessment. Use the link below. We will respond as quickly as possible.
Click here to enquire about a free – no obligation survey & quotation
