Watch this helpful video if you are considering installing a stairlift in your home. You can save some money by taking the measurements yourself, instead of paying the installation company to send and technician to do it. The video was made for AmeriGlide, but the process is basically the same for the other stairlift makes like Acorn and Bruno.
All you’ll need is:
Here is a good article discussing how the Healthcare Reform Bill may affect the disability equipment cost. Certainly this includes the purchase and maintenance costs of a new stairlift.
How the Healthcare Reform Bill Will Offset Disability Equipment Costs
Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, no one can deny the historical impact of this past week with the passing and signing of Obama’s Healthcare Reform Bill. Much debate has already taken place and will continue to take place in the coming months, as the first steps are taken to implement this giant Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act bill. Many of the most significant parts of the bill will not even go into effect until 2014, with others slated as far out as 2018. So, needless to say, it will be a long time before the success or failure of this legislation can be determined, and there are many holes to plug and tweaks to make along the way.
The impact of this bill will be felt by all Americans, but the group that arguably engages the healthcare system the most is the disabled community. This community has many faces. The young disabled veteran returning from Iraq and receiving care from the Veterans Administration (VA). The elderly grandmother who has had to experience the panic of realizing that any nonmedical related needs she might have following a severe illness, such as help bathing or safely accessing various parts of her home, Medicare will not cover. With nearly 50 million Americans having a disability, and about two-thirds of these individuals having a severe disability, it’s easy for an individual’s struggle with the healthcare system to get lost in translation. So how will the new legislation affect people with disabilities?
Some of the better known parts of the bill include discrimination and the denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions. This legislation will make being denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition a thing of the past, which will be of particular benefit to persons with disabilities who have long struggled against these obstacles. Other parts of the bill that hope to lower the cost of healthcare for millions, could inadvertently help people with disabilities by hypothetically creating more expendable income in that community and enable people with disabilities to purchase the mobility equipment and services necessary to live a full and productive daily life.
A lesser discussed provision to the Healthcare Reform Bill, is known as CLASS (Community Living Assistance Services and Supports). Here are some startling statistics provided by the Democratic Policy Committee:
These statistics are known as the Persistent Long-Term Care Gap, and affects not only this country’s elderly, but anyone who has a catastrophic accident or illness and requires long-term care. Under the CLASS Program, every single American will be able to voluntarily participate in this self-funded, insurance program. Individuals qualify for benefits after paying premiums for five years, and must have worked for at least three of those five years. Beneficiaries receive a lifetime cash benefit, which is expected to pay roughly $75/day or more than $27,000 per year. Because this is a cash benefit, the money can be used to maintain independence at home through home modification equipment, cover the costs of home care services or assisted living, or even buy a wheelchair accessible van in order to meet the needs of daily life. Those who object to the Healthcare Reform Bill due to tax increases will also be relieved to know that there is an absolute prohibition on the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for this provision’s benefits.The CLASS Program is expected to start in January 2011, so we will soon have answers to many unanswered questions about the program, and the Healthcare Reform in general. Regardless of political creed, the issue of healthcare is of crucial importance. As this bill, and undoubtedly the many revisions that are to follow, begin to unfold, let us hope that the needs and concerns of disabled adults and youth are heard.
A modern outdoor stair lift is basically a similar piece of equipment to those mobility lifts utilized for indoor use, though it will have been designed with extensive weatherproofing to ensure no damage from the climate.
The main principle behind a mobility lift is to assist to people with physical problems in moving from one level up to another. They feature seats, footplates, and platforms and are widely available no matter which part of the country you live in. If you have elderly relatives, children or friends that have issues relating to mobility then a stair lift designed for outdoor use can help to ensure that their quality of life does not suffer.
Today very few of us live in single storied buildings that have no platforms or barriers that prevent obstacles for people with physical handicaps. Choosing a unit will help to ensure that your property is up to date with the latest regulations that govern access for people who are less mobile.
Modern outdoor mobility lifts can be utilized in almost any landscape or location. They are highly dependable and resilient to any type of climate. Before you make a purchase you should understand what the major differences between the designs are.
First of all there is the actual weight that the lift can efficiently carry. If the device is to be used by the same person on a continual basis then you can choose a lift which is perfect for their size and needs. Choosing the largest possible lift is not always the best choice because it may not be needed, and will also cost more to maintain and operate.
What safety features exist? You would not want your loved one to fall and have an accident. There should be handles that the individual can hold on to securely. Some lifts even come with an angled seat to make getting on and off much easier, so you may want to look for that feature.
The size and type of the track is also important. Usually an outdoor model would not require such a lengthy drive-train and track as the number of steps are generally fewer, though still an obstacle to the physically challenged.
If you live in a coastal region then you will need to be certain that you choose a model designed for use outdoors that does not quickly suffer from corrosion. It should be coated with a protective material to ensure a longer use. In most cases the metal would be zinc or aluminum as these are much lighter than other materials and stand up to the elements much better.
These are only a few of the more important considerations to take into account when choosing a lift and making a solid investment.
YORK — From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 10, the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce will host an Expo on Aging at Kittery Estates, which is located at 220 State Road in Kittery. This event is free and open to the public.
The event seeks to help senior citizens enhance their quality of life and enjoy peace of mind. It will also be a resource for the “sandwich” generation — adults who are responsible for both the care of their elders as well as their own children or grandchildren, and for those with special needs.
Product displays will include information on the installation of residential elevators, stair lifts, wheelchair lifts, dumbwaiters and patient lifts. Learn about financial planning, assisted living and in-home nursing care, as well as Medicare options.
There will be free raffle drawings every half-hour throughout the day. Prizes will include gift certificates and three $100 cash drawings at 11:55 a.m., 12:55 and 1:55 p.m. There will also be free demonstrations by Seacoast Sleep Solutions & Atlantic Medical Supplies at noon, Ameriprise Financial at 12:30 p.m., and Wilkinson Law Offices at 1 p.m.
Kittery Estates is located just off the Kittery traffic circle and offers plenty of free parking. Overflow parking will be provided at the Kittery Town Hall with a shuttle bus service operated by York Hospital.
For more information, contact the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce at 363-4422, or go to www.gatewaytomaine.org.
The following businesses will be participating: Accessible Solutions, Amedisys Home Health & Hospice, Ameriprise Financial, Atlantic Medical Supplies, Ballou & Bedell, Bath Fitter, Bergeron Agency, Edward Jones of the Seacoast, Extended Family, Home Care Specialists, Home-For-Life, Home Instead Senior Care, JS Pelkey Funeral Home, Maine Veterans Services — Maine State Government, Meetinghouse Village, Seacoast Sleep Solutions, Seacoast Hospice, Senior Care Options of Southern Maine, United Healthcare — Medicare Solutions, Wilkinson Law Offices, PC, York County Elder Abuse Task Force and York Hospital
Acorn Stairlifts is the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of stairlifts around the globe. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, USA, Acorn Stairlifts has established four other international offices in Canada, UK, Germany, and Australia. Currently the company manufactures over 50,000 stairlifts annually and supplies them to thousands of households around the world.
Acorn is the first stairlift manufacturer to come up with DC powered stairlifts.The DC rechargeable battery technology has many advantages compared to the old AC technology. The stairlift remain operational in the event of power cut. This provides safer operational environment by eliminating the risk of electric shock. It offers quiet ride up and down the stairs with smooth starts and stops. The rest of the stairlift makers have followed and now most of the stairlifts made worldwide are DC powered.
Acorn Stairlifts are state of the art, high quality, equipped with numerous safety features including locking swivel seats, electronic and mechanical brakes and a detailed self-diagnostic system. Their stairlifts are well known for their high quality functionality and durability.
The most popular Acorn series Acorn Superglide and Acorn 80 identify stairlifts for different purposes.
• Acorn 120 Straight Stairlift
Designed for a straight staircase, also known as Acorn Superglide 120, this is one of the most popular stairlifts used for residential purposes.
Built entirely with the user’s comfort in mind it is the perfect choice. It has slim line fold-away design, and a good number of features that makes it safe and easy to go up and down the stairs.
• Acorn 80 Curved Stairlift
Designed for curved staircases, the Acorn 80 is the ultimate choice. Practically, able to deal with any degree of complexity, the Acorn 80 Curved Stairlift can be installed as quickly as a regular stairlift. It features a unique modular rail system.
The stairlift, this unique mechanical device makes it possible for us to stay in the home we love. With the help of a stairlifts people and their loved ones, can once again, get up and down the stairs without difficulty and regain complete use of their hoses.
With the aging of the population, the growing demand for stairlifts is unlikely to slow any time soon.
