Installation Manual

Posted on by May 1, 2024

Before installing an Acorn Stairlift please make sure that the user does not exceed the safe working load of 300lbs.

One really essential step for installing a stair lift is to determine on which side of the staircase you prefer the stairlift mounted.

In the event that there is no wall or solid vertical surface behind the stair lift in the intended position or on an open plan stairway, the installation should not proceed until adequate shielding has been fitted.

If the angle of the stairs is greater than 55 degrees or less than 23 degrees, the installation should not proceed.

Acorn Stairlifts Installation Manual.pdf

Can my Insurance Pay for a Stair Lift?

Posted on by November 25, 2016

stairlift insurance

When it comes to buying a stir lift, some folks wonder if their health insurance covers partially or ever entirely the purchase. New stairlifts can be quite expensive, so this is a very reasonable question.

The good news is that there are a few insurance companies that will cover some or most of the costs. With any luck, you are insured by one of this company.
But many will not cover the purchase, so to find out, you will want to give your insurance agent a call and request more information about it. This is the only way you will know for sure.

I know that people immediately think of Medicare as a potential source of funding, but at this time they do not cover any stairlift related expenses. The reason is – they do not consider the stair lift to be “durable medical equipment.”
There are other options to consider when trying to get a lift financed.

Look for a grant or a local governmental agency that could pick up the tab.

Bank financing is might be an avenue to look into.

Private health care agencies and out-of-pocket payment are yet another option. The problem is that private health insurance usually only cover part of the full price of expensive devices.

Folks who qualify for veterans’ benefits can certainly check if they can acquire support from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) .

Most states have at least one agency that deals specifically with assistive technology issues.

The Assistive Technology Act (Tech Act) offers financial help to states for the proliferation of statewide consumer information and training programs.

Another site you should check out is Disability.gov . This site serves as a “one-stop” electronic hub for a huge range of useful information for people with disabilities and their family members.

While the situation may seem overwhelming at first glance, once you get started you’ll likely find a few options that will work for your particular situation.

The key is to take the time to look into all of your options.

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Why Buy DC Powered Stair Lift?

Posted on by August 31, 2013

AC vs DC

There are two types of stair lifts when it comes to the way they get powered:

  1. The AC (alternating current) powered stairlift is connected directly to the household electrical system.
  2. The DC powered stair lift uses a battery that recharges from the household electrical system.

Today, DC driven stairlifts are more popular because, if the power goes out, they will still be functional until the battery charge runs out.

The drawback is that they are usually more expensive.

But if you can’t tackle the stairway without the help of a chair lifts, the extra money you would spend on buying a DC stairlift might be well worth it.

Families in UK learned this the hard way…

Senior citizens in Cirencester were left gasping for air and pinned down to their stair lifts for more than one hour because they continued having blackouts in and around the city.

 

Read the full story here: Power cuts leave OAPs helpless

Soccer Fan Has Team Colors Upholstered on His Stair Lift

Posted on by August 31, 2013
Cliff Gardner, a 49-year-old Crystal Palace fan

Cliff Gardner, a Crystal Palace fan

Cliff Gardner, a 49-year-old Crystal Palace fan from UK, just made his stair lift rides even more enjoyable.

Inspired by his wife’s idea he installed the colors of his favorite soccer team on the chair lift.

“I think the stairlift is wonderful – it makes be smile every time I use it. The upholstery has brought personality to the stairlift and made it a really positive feature in my house that sits nicely with my football memorabilia.”

I guess the next step would be to install a portable TV (telly) on the stairlift. This way he can watch the game while going downstairs to the get a cold one from the fridge.

Read the full article here

Why Are Stair Lifts So Slow?

Posted on by November 25, 2016

this isn't a slow stair liftWhen you first begin testing out one of the many makes and models of stair lifts available on the market today, you may notice is that they aren’t very fast, and that they move slowly up and down the stairs.

This is a safety precaution and not a technical issue. Most stairlifts are designed to start very slow so that you do not get an unexpected jolt that could cause you to lose balance and have a serious accident.

Once moving, the lift will go up a set of 15 stairs in around 45 seconds. When they get close to the top or the bottom, if you are descending down, they come to a slow stop as well.

Modern stairlifts are also designed to be very quiet. It’s not like the old days when they would be pretty noisy.

Some are equipped with a rack and pinion system, while others operate on a belt drive. Either one is fine, as both systems are extremely quiet when running.

How to Choose the Right Stair Lift for Your Home

Posted on by July 1, 2013

If you need help to get from the ground floor of your home to the upper floors you may be considering buying a stair lift. There are so many different models to choose from, so you have to figure out which one will be suitable for your particular needs.

Here are a few key questions that you should consider while looking at the different types of stairlifts:

 

Choosing a stair lift for you home

Is It Safe?

The most important feature of any stairlift has to be the safety factor. You want to be sure that you can get in and out of the chair with ease and that it is simple to operate. Always make sure that the lifts that you are looking at have passed all the safety codes and standards. It is a good idea to look for added features such as inbuilt sensors, so that the unit will automatically stop if it senses that something is in its path.

How It’s Powered?

Stairlifts are either AC or DC powered. You should consider the general power situation in the area you live. If it is completely stable, then you will be fine with an AC powered model. However, if you live in an area which suffers from regular power outages, you may want to think about investing a little bit more money into getting a stair lift with DC power. These types of chairs will come equipped with a battery backup system, so that there is no danger of you getting stranded in the chair during a blackout.

Is It Reliable?

The stairlift you choose needs to be reliable from the get go. It is a huge investment that you are making, so you want to know that the unit will require minimum maintenance.

What Is the Warranty?

Whenever you buy a new product that has electrical and mechanical parts, you should always find out how extensive your warranty is. A new stairlift, most likely, will cause you no problems, but you want to be reassured that you can get in touch with the manufacturer, if you find that there is a defect of any kind, and that there is an after sales support team to help you if you need it.

The warranty should be comprehensive, so that any problems you may encounter can be dealt with efficiently.

Finally, once you have made the decision to invest in a stair lift, try to find out as much as you can about what is available on the market before spending your hard earned money.