It's easy to take a daily living activity such as climbing stairs for granted. However, due to illness, such as cardiopulmonary issues, neurological conditions including MS, diabetic neuropathy and strokes, age-related wear and tear like arthritis and balance problems, or accidents resulting in reduced mobility, the ability to move freely between the floors of one's own home becomes difficult, if not impossible. This can mean being restricted to living on one floor or having to move altogether to accommodate these challenges.
The good news is that now it's possible to make modifications to one's home to support mobility and independence. Handicare offers the Sterling stairlifts to help customers navigate stairs. They're not just for inside use, either: the
Sterling 1000 Outdoor Stairlift help with steps going up to decks, porches, and doors.
The Sterling 1000 Outside is designed for straight stair runs such as those leading from decks to the ground. All of the hardware and its slate grey upholstery is fully water- and UV-proofed, and it comes with a cover to protect the seat from rain, snow, and dew when not in use. It is battery operated so it can be used even during power failures. To charge the batteries, all that needs to be done is to park the chair at a charge point as indicated by visual and audible signals.
Like its indoor cousins (the Simplicity and 2000 for curved or spiral stairs), it comes with a key switch to prevent joy rides by unauthorized users. For the intended user, there's an easy to operate toggle switch designed by a team of medical professionals for maximum comfort. All Sterling lifts include safety sensors in the footplate and the power pack--if an object blocks the seat as it goes up or down stairs, it will stop, or it will go in the opposite direction of the obstacle, but not try to go over it. All Sterling 1000's and 2000's come with a retractable easy release seat belt, enabling the user to buckle it off to the side or in the middle of the chair for his or her comfort and convenience.
Another convenience feature is its remote control operation. When more than one person uses the Sterling 1000, it can be used to "call" the lift to the needed end of the run. A caregiver could use it as well to operate it on behalf of the user as he walks next to his patient.
The procedure for choosing the stairlift model is the same whether it's for use indoors or outdoors. First, there's a non-intrusive user assessment where the user or the caregiver answers some questions to determine optimal positioning of the controls, placement of the seatbelt, and which modifications may be needed in the future. Some measurements of the user (i.e. height) may be taken. Second, photographs and measurements of the staircase in question are taken. Third, the technician installing the lift can tweak the seat to the user's unique needs. Installation takes between two and four hours, depending on the staircase and its design.
Over 100,000 Handicare lifts are currently in use worldwide. They strive to have as short a lead time as possible between ordering and installation. Not only can having a lift quickly installed help enhance the quality of life for a user, but so can staying in one's own home.
Fran Jablway
and
Hulet Smith, OT
