Stair Lift Installation – How to Install a Stair lift?

Stair lift installation is generally not too complicated. Many stair lifts are especially designed for a fast and easy installation by the customer, allowing you to easily install these units on your own. Thus, it’s advisable to choose a unit that features an easy customer-friendly installation.

In general, stair lifts for straight staircases can be easily installed by one person in just a couple of hours, and stair lifts for curved staircases require more time and at least two people to install them.

Many dealers will either help you install the unit, or help you to locate an installation service provider that will charge you a few hundred dollars for installation.

It’s easier to install a unit that has a pre-cut and prepared track, with the parts pre-installed on the track. In this case, you just need to connect the parts of the track, attach it to your staircase, bolt down the seat and plug in the unit to start using it.
The weight of any single part of the unit is also important to note. If the heaviest single part is between 50-70lbs, then such a unit can be easily installed by one person.

Most of the units do not require individual connecting of the wires, since the wires can be generally connected with special modular plugs.

Battery powered stair lifts eliminates the need to hire a professional electrician. The majority of states (except for OR and WA) do not require an electrical inspection for a battery-powered stair lift.

If you have a staircase made of wood in your home, it’s generally easier to install a stair lift than if you have a staircase made of concrete.

Furthermore, when looking for a stair lift to install on your own, you should also seek the units with clear detailed installation guidelines.

In general, a stair lift for the use on a straight staircase is fixed right on the staircase. Curved stair lifts, on the contrary, often require to be attached to the walls. Curved stair lifts are generally much harder to install, and you might have to consult with your supplier and/or installer for help or specific instructions.

Thus, if you are looking into installing a stair lift yourself, you should consider the complexity of your particular staircase, and look for a customer-friendly stair lift unit for the easiest and the cheapest stair lift installation.

Parkinson’s Disease and Stairlifts – Providing the Disabled with a Better Quality of Life

Can a stair lift be of help to a person with a Parkinson’s disease? In fact, a stairlift may be one of the best ways to improve the quality of life for a person with this type of disorder.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition, and its main symptoms comprise of the following:
- Difficulty initiating and completing voluntary movement.
- Tremors in the hands and feet.
- Rigid stiff muscles that often get worse during motion.
- Poor balance, often resulting in falls in persons with Parkinson’s disease.
- Unsteady walk with a tendency for leaning either forward or backward.
- Small shuffling steps.
- Trouble initiating walking, and freezing in mid-stride.
- Difficulty trying to make a turn.

Stair lifts are special mobility devices that can be installed on straight or curved staircases, attached to the stairs or to a wall. The chairs are equipped with safety belts, which would securely lift a person up the stairs or provide a safe ride down the stairs. Stair lifts can aid people with Parkinson’s disorder that is unable to walk up or down stairs, as well as they can aid caregivers in their supervision of the person with Parkinson’s disease.

When looking for a stair lift for a person with a Parkinson’s disease, make sure that the stair lift of your choice features the following:
- A safety belt that would protect the passenger from falling down.
- Safety sensors that would stop the chair if there was any obstacle in the way of the unit.
- A joystick and a remote control to allow more flexibility with the lift control.
- Padded armrests and a comfortable footrest.
- Battery backup that would allow the unit to operate even with a temporary power outage.

There are several popular stairlift manufacturers that can provide you with a smooth and safe stair lift that would well suit the needs of a person with Parkinson’s disease. The most popular quality stair lifts’ manufacturers include: Bruno, ThyssenKrupp Access, and Savaria Concord.

Parkinson’s disease and stairlifts – these units are a good option for providing a person with this neurodegenerative disorder with a better quality of life.

Is there a Government Grant for Stair Lifts?

Yes, such grant does exist, but getting your grant approved may take years. Older and disabled people are in a desperate and immediate need of a stair lift; however, it may take as long as 1-3 years to get your grant approved by the Government. This process is way too slow for many people, often forcing them to purchase a unit as they are unable to wait for so long.
If you cannot receive a grant for years, what else can you do? First of all, you may try contacting your Local Representative in congress, and asking him/her to help you.

Other alternatives include: stair lift rental and reconditioned units. So, which of these two alternatives bests fits your circumstances?

Renting is best suited for someone who may require a stair lift for only a short period of time. These units can be rented for a period of time, so that you can continue with your life, until your grant is approved. The process can take between 2 to 3 days from beginning to end, executing all the necessary work, from an inspection to installation. Installation services usually cost around $1,000, and it’s around $100 per month to rent the unit. Generally, the rental companies do not require you to sign any minimum contract with them.

Reconditioned stair lifts also offer you good value for the money. The whole process – from an inspection to installation, may take between 2 to 7 days depending on your staircase design and your location. However, note that reconditioned units may have fewer features than new ones, as well as they may look somewhat outdated.

So, is there a Goverment grant for stair lifts? Yes. Is it fast to get? No. It’s important to remember that the Government does offer grants for stair lifts, and thus it’s definitely worth asking the Government for help; even so, the waiting period may take years depending on where you live. Stair lifts are units of an immediate need, and waiting for years for a stair lift isn’t an option. Thus, you may want to look into renting a stair lift or purchasing a refurbished unit, if you are in an immediate need of one.

How to Make Money from a Old Stairlift?

How to make money from a old stairlift? This is a common question for someone who has purchased an expensive brand new unit, and does not need it anymore. Another scenario is if you have purchased a home with a stair lift, and you do not require one. Whatever is your case, you can make money from an old stairlift by selling it.

So, where can you sell an old stairlift?

Two of the best places to try are eBay and Craigslist classifieds.

Any time you visit eBay, you may see people selling stair lifts. People from the US and from all over the world sell their units on the eBay. How much can you get for your stairlift on eBay? In general, you can make from 25% to 50% of the original unit’s price.
The value of the unit will largely depend on its age, condition, and warranty status. Thus, if your stair lift is still under warranty, you can make more than if it’s not.

Various stair lifts come with varying warranty terms, for instance:
- AmeriGlide stairlift warranty: 10-year warranty on drive train and 5-year warranty on components.
- Citia stairlift: 5-year warranty on drive train and 2-year warranty on parts.
- Bruno stairlift: 5-year warranty on the gear box and 2-year warranty on components.
- ThyssenKrupp stairlift: 5-year warranty on the gear box and 2-year warranty on parts.
- Acorn stairlift: lifetime gearbox/motor warranty and 1-year warranty on components.

However, note that a warranty may not cover damage to components caused by misuse, the stairlift batteries, and normal wear and tear.

When you browse through Craigslist classifieds, you will also see a wide range of the units sold all over the US. However, the costs of the units here are generally lower than on eBay. Here you can expect to receive from 10% to 40% of the original price of the unit.

No matter where you want to sell your stairlift, you should try to supply your ad with lots of pictures and a detailed description of the unit.

So, how to make money from a old stairlift? All you need to do is check the age, condition, and the warranty status of your unit, take lots of pictures and create a detailed description, and list the unit for sale on eBay and/or Craigslist.