Stairlifts are for people who have trouble getting up and down stairs; either due to an ongoing condition such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis or following an operation that has temporarily reduced their strength and flexibility.

An Occupational Therapist (OT) can assess whether a stairlift is suitable. In some cases a stairlift may not be the best solution for your condition, lifestyle or home. Some people’s joints deteriorate faster if they are not exercised regularly, weight may limit your choices, or you may not have the level of mobility and dexterity to get on and off the stairlift’s seat and operate the controls. An OT will be able to give you a physical assessment and help you determine if a stairlift is the best option for you.

After considering your needs, it is wise to contact different stairlift companies and view a range of stairlifts to find the one that works best for you and your home.

You can find reputable stairlift companies through the Disabled Living Foundation (DFL), or by visiting our store in Whitton. Wherever you choose to purchase your stairlift from, ensure that the relevant British Standards (BS 5776:1996) and European health and safety regulations are met.

Along with choosing a stairlift with the right safety and comfort features; price, guarantees and after sales service should be a consideration. We recommend people make use of a no obligation home stairlift evaluation to help them understand the best products for their individual circumstances and give them the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.

At Additional Aids Mobility, we provide customers with advice and information on a range of mobility aids, including stairlifts, based on over thirty years of experience. Our stairlifts have been installed in many homes across West London and we service multiple aged care homes in the area.

A single flight of straight stairs can usually accommodate a straight stairlift, curved stairs or straight stairs that change angle at an interim landing will require a curved stairlift, or the installation of two straight stairlifts.

The width of your stairs will need to be examined – anything less than 30 inches will be difficult to install a stairlift on as there may not be enough room for your knees. The position of doors and landings, along with access to the stairs for other people will need to be thought about – should the stairlift chair be ‘parked’ away from the bottom of the stairs or will you need a zero clearance rail option to keep the stairlift from interfering with door space?

Stairlifts come with a range of options, some are safety features and others are for comfort and décor. All stairlifts attach to the stair treads rather than the wall so won’t require major building work, installation typically takes a few hours.

Swivel seats lock when in use and can help you get on and off more easily. Controls can be handheld remotes, fixed to the left or right arm of the seat or secured to the wall. You should choose an option that is appropriate for the strength and dexterity of all users.

Safety belts are fitted as standard and should be easy to fasten and release. Locks can be useful for avoiding accidents if you expect children who wish to play on the stairlift to visit.

A comfortable seat is a must and a platform to rest your feet should be automated if you have difficulty bending.

We have stairlift seats in our store that you can try to help decide which is right for you. Our tailor-made stairlifts also come in a range of colours and fabrics so you can choose one that is sure to fit your home décor.