Difference Between Stair Lift, Wheelchair Lift, Wheelchair Elevator

Posted on by August 31, 2013

If you or someone that you know suffers from mobility problems, there are several medical devices that can greatly increase your quality of life by making it easier to move between the floors in your home.

Three of the most popular devices are stairlifts, wheelchair platform lift and wheelchair elevators.

These three options are quite different in price range and in what they have to offer in terms of solving mobility needs.

Stair Lift

Stair Lift in action

StairLift

The user sits in a chair located at the bottom of the staircase and presses a button that causes the unit to move to the top by gliding on a track. The track sits on top of a flight of stairs and is usually mounted directly to them instead to the wall.

On the reverse end, the device will move to the bottom to help the person get back down the staircase.

Getting a stairlifts is often less expensive than installing a wheelchair elevator.

Wheelchair Platform Lift

Girl sitting on a wheelchair platform lift

Platform Lift

It is more often used in public buildings, then in private residences.

It has a platform that is large enough to carry the wheelchair.

Some models come with folding edge ramps. This prevent the wheelchair from moving toward the edge of the platform.

Over the years manufacturers have been adding many additional safety features as control buttons, emergency stop button, rack-and-pinion drive system, and safety arms.

Wheelchair Elevator Lift

Woman operating a wheelchair elevator

Elevator

This is often the best choice for someone who is permanently or temporarily bound to a wheelchair, which is large and bulky, and it is very difficult to drag up a flight of stairs.

The user opens a door, so the wheelchair can be moved inside of a small compartment.

Then, through a system of pulleys or hydraulics, the compartment is lifted straight up to the next floor or lowered straight down to the floor below.

The drawback is that the installation of these elevators involves a lot of construction and can be quite costly.

 

Stannah Stairlifts receives Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Posted on by August 31, 2013

Stannah Stairlifts AwardStannah Stairlifts, the well known UK based stair lift manufacturer, has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade. The company received the prize in recognition of substantial growth in overseas earnings and commercial success. Stannah has been honored with this prestigious award three more times in its 35-year history.

Their stair lifts are currently distributed in 42 countries around the world. Stannah Stairlifts is market leaders in almost every one, including the key markets of the UK, Germany and Japan.

This remarkable accomplishment is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of the Stannah workforce and our relentless pursuit of quality and excellence in our products and customer service.  With this in mind, we would like to thank each and every one of you for the contribution you have made to this achievement. The company expressed its delight with the win.

Stannah Stairlifts Receives Visit From Prince Charles

Posted on by August 31, 2013

Stannah Stairlifts, the British stair lift manufacturer, received a high level visit from Prince Charles on Monday as the company celebrated the production of half a million lifts.

The Prince of Wales pushed the button to start the make of their 500,000th unit and joked that he was reaching rapidly a state of decrepitude, and now knows where to come for a complimentary stair lift.

The Prince visited the factory assembly line during his two hour visit and met with company employs and family members.

Stannah Stairlifts is a family-owned business that was established in 1867 in London and now employs about 1,700 people worldwide and exports it’s product to 42 countries.

In 2010 the company received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise and its most recent financial results show a 6.7% rise in operating profit.

Stannah has been honored with this prestigious award three more times in its 35-year history.


Stair Lift Ratings: On a Lighter Note

Posted on by August 31, 2013
Here we have a couple of very funny stair lift cartoons. One is “modified” version on the other.
Can you tell which one?

Stairlift Click It or TicketClick It or Ticket.

Question 1: This one is easy… Which one is the “original” cartoon?
Cast your vote by tweeting you answer:
Click It or Ticket. —
This NOS system is … awesome. —

Question 2: Which cartoon is funnier?… Vote for it.
Click It or Ticket. —
This NOS system is … awesome. —

And you thought stairlifts are boring…

This  NOS system is … awesome.

stairlift-with-turbo


Bruno Stair Lifts – Proven, Reliable Products

Posted on by August 31, 2013

With over 25 years of experience, innovation, and creating cutting-edge stair lifts, Bruno Independent Living Aids has become an industry leader manufacturing a wide range of accessibility products. Of all brands, Bruno offer perhaps the largest selection of stairlifts and chairlifts and is a leading manufacturer in North America.

Bruno lifts currently are built in four main configurations for both inside and outside installations. The three indoor models are part of the Electra-Ride Straight Rail line; and include the Electra-Ride LT, Electra-Ride II / III, and Electra-Ride Elite. The company makes an Outdoor Electra-Ride Elite built to accommodate all types of weather conditions and an astounding 400lb weight capacity.

Bruno electra ride ii straight railThe most important highlight, in my opinion, is the fact that the company builds safe, simple and dependable products that are reliable, and that you can count on them working when you need it the most. I’ve personally had a family member stuck out in the rain because his wheelchair lift, made by another company, stopped working. And while anything can happen, the Elites are known for withstanding all-weather conditions and being extremely reliable. I’d venture to say, my grandfather wouldn’t have been stuck waiting for help had he purchased a lift from a reputable manufacturer.

Like AmeriGlide, their chairlifts have built-in soft start/stop for a smooth ride without getting jerked around. This is an important feature and something not available from quite a few of the generic manufacturers. In important to mention that the chairs are not only visually attractive, but they’re also solid and high-tech. Rather than going with the circuit-board-less approach, these stairlifts have built in visual diagnostic center that will notify their service department of what exactly went wrong in the unlikely event of a problem. This can be a valuable time saver and help you avoid delays in ordering parts or getting someone to your door.

Overall, if you’re looking for a proven, trusted stairlift, Bruno is certainly a great choice. There are authorized dealers in almost every State in the US. And while they don’t approve of the do-it-yourself thinking, it’s hard to ignore the quality and trustworthy reputation that their tech team has created over the past quarter-century.

Also, above all the other manufacturers, the simplicity and ease of installation make Bruno the brand of choice for the DIY consumer.

Stair Lift Installation, Important Points to Consider

Posted on by August 31, 2013
Stair Lift Installation

Stair Lift Installation

Nowadays, a lot of people purchase stair lifts on the Internet and assemble the units themselves. This is pushed by residential stair lift dealers and distributors involved in marketing the products online.

This saves the customer some money and it is what most customers want. However, there is growing number of organizations raising concerns about the hazards involved in do-it-yourself installation of stairlifts.

Elderly and handicapped people are endangering themselves by installing the stair lifts themselves, according to the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA).
Most of these individuals belong to the low-income bracket and they are trying to save some cash by setting up the lift on their own. However, the savings could be only temporary and in the long run they may have to pay more.

David Jenkins, a product safety consultant for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents believes that the effects of improper installation of a stair lift could not only be monetary but also could lead to injury or death. This is a growing concern in the United States as well.

Only qualified professionals can determine whether the home stairlift has been correctly assembled, according to the Accessibility Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (AEMA). Likewise, the customer would have no idea whether the equipment conforms to local and national code requirements.

The AEMA also believes that such practices could be illegal. If wires need to be connected to the main power supply, many states in the U.S. prohibits such practice unless undertaken by a certified technician.

In addition, some dealers proffer customers to install the lift themselves because they cannot be blamed if anything goes wrong. They can always wash their hands and use incorrect installation as an excuse. Aside from that, consumers could void the warranty of the product by doing self-installation.

The elderly and the handicapped are the usual victims of this practice. Thus, when buying stairlift, choose a company which requires that they assemble the equipment. This is an indication of their concern for the customer. Also, this is a safety measure should something go wrong with the lift.

Purchasing a stair lift can be costly. A qualified installer can set up the equipment within a few hours. The cost of installation compared to the total cost is generally minimal.
Reliable suppliers always advice customers not to do the installation themselves because the risks could be greater than the savings.

Bruno Stair Lifts Authorized Dealer – Adaptive Environments

Posted on by August 31, 2013

A stair lift is a medical device that has a railing system attached to a stairway. It lets users ascend the stairway while sitting on a chair. The stair lift is a practical solution for users who can easily get out of it because it doesn’t cost as much as the other accessibility products for the home.

There are many stair lift models today but they can be classified into two types only. The first type is called straight stair lift and the second kind is called curved stair lift. They also can be adopted for outdoor use. These are called outdoor stair lifts.

Adaptive Environments is one of the stair lift manufacturers in United States. This company is based in Michigan and they have been serving the consumers there since 1985. Adaptive Environments is a member of the national association for elevator builders.

They have a showroom where prospective customers can check their products and talk with their sales representatives. They characterize their stair lifts as user-friendly.

Adaptive Environments have several stair lift models that can fit any kind of stairway. The stair lifts they supply don’t require owners to modify any part of their stairways. The stair lifts can be folded after use.

All the models they carry are battery powered. This means that users can use them even when there is a blackout. Adaptive Environments first assess the premises of the prospective stair lift buyer.

They assess the stairway so they can recommend the right model that will suite the place and the needs of the stair lift user. Adaptive Environments does not have sub-contractors for the stair lift installations.

The people who install the stair lifts are also highly skilled with years of technical experience. They also take the time to inform the buyer about the proper use and maintenance of the stair lift.

Adaptive Environments is one of the authorized dealers for Bruno Stair Lifts Company. They have made the commitment to offer products that have excellent quality, like the stair lifts made by Bruno. Bruno assures that all their dealers, like Adaptive Environments, have the sufficient knowledge to install and repair their products.

One of Adaptive Environment’s best sellers is the Bruno Elite stair lift. This model should be used inside the house. It has a sophisticated and ergonomic design. This stair lift is very stable because of its durable clamp.

The railing is also very slim giving more space on the stairway. The buyers can also choose the upholstery for the chair. Bruno Elite stair lift has a digital screen that informs the user of the current status of the unit.