Stairlift v Bannister Rail

dean76
dean76 Member Posts: 112
edited 22. Jul 2009, 14:41 in Living with Arthritis archive
I live at home with an able bodied adult. I need a stairlift fitted to the stairs except the other person I live with has vertigo and has their very young grandchildren come visit daily.

O.T have agreed to fit me a stairlift but can you have one and still have a bannister rail on the same side to accomodate the needs of other householders????

Dean76

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,295
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Dean
    I really hadn't thought of that one! As you both share the house I really would check with OT as both your needs should be considered.
    Need a stairgate for occaisional small person visitors though for def!
    There WILL be a solution - you can't live downstairs!
    Take care
    Toni x
  • dean76
    dean76 Member Posts: 112
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Thanks alot Toni for your message, stair gate is a good idea. Ive googled the question and cant seem to find an answer. They are of course willing for me to have a stairlift fitted (could use it if they need too because of vertigo although dont want to lose their indepence completely!) because I need it. But do need to consider the children who are only pre-school age and the new baby (...when time comes) having something to hold onto as they go up the stairs themselves too.

    Dean76 xxx
  • craftyuk
    craftyuk Member Posts: 47
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    what about a bannister railing the other side? my parents have one either side of the stairs to hold on to.
  • debatat
    debatat Member Posts: 659
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Yes you may find O>T. agree to fit a stair rail the other side, it is worth asking.

    Deb
  • jackie1955
    jackie1955 Member Posts: 632
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi, You should be able to get a stair rail fitted the other side to the stair-lift.

    In our case, our stair-lift was fitted a few years ago, and on the left side is an open banister rail. Being 'fit' in those days I didn't need to use the stair-lift and could bound upstairs easily (it was for my OH).
    When I first started getting joint problems, I was grateful the stairlift was there because I used to use the track it runs on as a handrail (I still do!).
    Regarding the grandchildren, we also have little ones who have delighted in using the above method to help get up and downstairs, as the track is so much lower and easier for them to use than the proper handrail!
    They also 'ride' on Grandads Magic Chair, and have been taught it is a very special chair only to be used when an adult is present. And if they are visiting don't forget you can always turn the chair off if you want to.

    So, if you can have one, I say go for it!
  • dean76
    dean76 Member Posts: 112
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi there

    Ive contacted OT and they say I should have Major Adaptions team visit me within 2 months who will see if I can have another bannister fitted on the otherside. Otherwise they will use the rail the stairlift runs along until they get bigger.

    Many thanks for your help xxx
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,295
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Dean
    well done for that! Sounds like that's one problem sorted!
    Toni x
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Dean
    Did your GP refer you to the OT? I'm finding the stairs a real problem. If they don't fix one of my knees this year I think I'll need help up and down the stairs.

    Sharmaine
    dean76 wrote:
    I live at home with an able bodied adult. I need a stairlift fitted to the stairs except the other person I live with has vertigo and has their very young grandchildren come visit daily.

    O.T have agreed to fit me a stairlift but can you have one and still have a bannister rail on the same side to accomodate the needs of other householders????

    Dean76
  • dean76
    dean76 Member Posts: 112
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    No you can refer yourself to O.T now; just ring your local council and speak to Social Services and they pass your details onto the relevant department. I did refer myself and O.T say that your not looked upon any differently just means you get to see someone faster.

    Id give them a ring. It took about a week for them to ring me and arrange an appointment which was 2-3 weeks from then. They chatted to me over the phone about my difficulties so on the day they know 'on the van' what appliances to bring that you may want to try out and keep if you think they will help. They forgot about the intercom which I think will be a godsend in not having to stand at the door all the times so I am getting another O.T visit within the next month to have one fitted.

    Maybe thats just my council but still wasnt that long. However, I imagine if you need to seem them sooner something could be arranged.

    Because my household income is below £15,200 I get a 100% grant too. So will be great not having to save up to buy a stairlift. Hope this information helps.

    Dean xxx

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