Heavy Duty Stair Lifts

New Heavy Duty Stairlift available from Dolphin Mobility Ltd

Finally, we have found a stairlift which is truly Heavy Duty. This lift is more robust than any other stairlift currently on sale in the UK. Unlike many stair lifts made in the USA this stairlift is attractive in design and has a luxurious seat as standard.

Product Features

• Maximum user weight of 28.5 stone (181 kg)
• Two-way manual swivel seat, ideal for narrow corridors at the bottom of the stairs
• Adjustable armrest width (450mm-552mm)
• Adjustable seat height for easier entry/exit
  
• Adjustable footrest height for added comfort
• Contoured seat for maximum comfort
• Locking swivel seat at the top and bottom of the stairway
• Two remote, wireless call/send controls
• Footrest safety sensor and retractable belt
• Charging station indicator lights at the top and bottom of the rail
• Onboard audio and visual diagnostics make service easier and more precise
• Rail installs to within 152mm (6in) from the wall
• Smooth, powerful drive system. Battery powered technology
• Soft-start, soft-stop for the users maximum comfort
• 5 year manufacturers warranty on major components, 2 years on parts

For more information call 01276 856060 or email rebecca@dolphinlifts.co.uk

Stairlift conman targets woman, 81

A KIND-hearted pensioner made a cup of coffee for a visitor - who then he stole her money.

The 81-year-old woman invited the conman, who wore a hard hat and hi-visibility jacket, into her home on Derbyshire Lane West, in Stretford, after he claimed to have an appointment to fix her stairlift.

He asked for a drink and she made him a cup of coffee, which he drank and left, saying he would return to 'sort' the equipment.

She later realised he had taken cash from the living room while she was in the kitchen.

Police say the conman was white, aged 30 to 40, 6ft and slim. He was clean-shaven.

Pc Stuart Foy said: "The man clearly tricked his victim into believing that he was genuine and left her his victim feeling cheated.

"We are appealing to anyone with information that could help us. Maybe there are other people who have been approached by a man who can seemingly talk his way into people's houses."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 7635 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Elderley couple use stairlift to tackle burglars

AN elderly man used his stairlift to get upstairs to tackle a burglar who was ransacking his home. Jack and Edie Pearson of Manor Drive, Great Gonerby, were at home last Wednesday when thieves struck. One posed as a waterboard official to create a diversion while the second broke into the house through a back window.

Mrs Pearson, 86, answered a knock at the door at about 5.40pm and a man in his twenties burst into the kitchen to turn on the taps.

Mrs Pearson said: "He told me all the taps had to be switched on or there would be a great big burst. I told him I didn't believe him and that I was going to ring the police.

"He told me that I should leave the taps running and that he'd be back again in ten minutes.

"We were in the kitchen and we heard someone walk across the bedroom upstairs."

Mr Pearson, 88, used his stairlift to get upstairs to tackle the burglar, but the thief slid down the banister and ran out of the property.

Drawers had been emptied and beds overturned in the property as the burglar hunted for cash.

All that was stolen was £40 from Mr Pearson's wallet.

The thieves left footprints around the property. One of the thieves left a bloodstain on a wall in the property, which police hope will result in a DNA match.

Mrs Pearson said: "The police said these people are the scum of the earth.

"I don't mind speaking to the Journal about it if it will stop a burglary somewhere else. It was a frightening experience.

"We'd like to thank police, our neighbours and the council for all the help we've had."

Information: Lincolnshire Police on 01476 402222 quoting incident 299 of December 10.

Police hunt stairlift van driver

A WHITE van driver who left the scene of two accidents in WGC is being hunted by police.

The first accident happened at about 7pm on Saturday last week (November 29) on the B1000 Hertford Road.

The white van hit a silver Mercedes E class, but did not stop.

Police believe the van was then involved in another accident, with a Vauxhall Corsa, on the same stretch of road at about the same time.

The other drivers involved were not injured in the crashes.

A police spokesman said the van had "Speciality Stairlifts" written on the side. Its partial registration number is VO04 V...J.

If you recognise the description of the van or know its whereabouts, contact Tony Hithcock, at the Hatfield police station-based process and collision department, on 01707 806276.

Princess praises therapists

PRINCESS Anne praised the work of occupational therapists when she visited the University of Derby yesterday.

The Princess Royal, the national patron of the College of Occupational Therapists, told staff and students she was impressed with how the profession helped people with disabilities and injuries.

Occupational therapists help people to regain independence and adapt to a disability.

They can recommend special tools, to help people perform everyday tasks more easily, and adaptations to homes, such as handrails, bath seats and stair lifts.

Widow in tears over request to insure communal hall stairlift

AN 80-year-old Churston pensioner has been left upset after being warned of the consequences of installing a stairlift and security camera in a communal hallway. Read more

Employee's request to work on ground floor was reasonable, says EAT

• Author:
• Steptoe & Johnson LLP

In Lyle v. Bury Metro Racial Equality Council & Others (2008), Mrs Lyle suffered from health problems which restricted her mobility and she was disabled. She commenced her employment as a diversity officer with her employer in 2006 and was based on the first floor of their premises. There was no lift or stair lift.

She also had to visit a second set of premises where there were steep stairs. She suffered a fall at her employers premises injuring her knees. She asked her employer ... (185 more words)

Help the Aged - Stairlifts

Many people have been talking about Help the Aged Stairlifts, this is the response from the owner of Dolphin Mobility.

We are very concerned about this ourselves. The Help the Aged campaign 
is in theory managed by Keep Able, who in turn sub-contract all 
stairlifts to Companion Stairlifts, the Direct Sales Division of 
Minivator Stairlifts. If you phone Help the Aged Stairlifts, you will 
actually speak to someone at Minivator, who tend to be very cagey when 
questionned about the structure of this deal and who they are..
With their massive internet advertising spend on this campaign, and 
their 'We will beat any price guarantee', Minivator are in fact directly 
competing with and undermining their own dealers. Word has it that the 
prices they offer start off quite high, and only fall to dealer price 
levels if the customer confronts them with a competitive quotation. 
Bringing into question how much Help the Aged actually care about the 
people they supposedly want to help.

It would be interesting to see how the Charity Commission would view 
their trading status, or if they are not trading, whether Keep 
Able/Companion/Minivator are actually passing themselves off as Help the 
Aged. Whatever way, the customer needs to know they are not buying form 
Help the Aged, and may be advised to get second or third quotes from 
local companies.

Regards

Craig Dunnage

Stairlift Manufacturers

Following on from the confusing issue of Help the Aged, KeepAble, Companion Stairlifts and Minivator; I thought it may be interesting to list some of the current stairlift manufactures in the UK and who ultimately owns these firms.

Freelift and Churchill's Stairlifts

Churchill's Stairlifts (UK) Limited, 2 Kings Court, Team Valley, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE11 0SH

Freelift Ltd. 2 Kings Court, Kingsway, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear NE11 0SH

Both of these companies are ultimately owned by Handicare AS.

Bison, Brooks and Acorn Stairlifts

Bison, Brooks and Acorn Stairlifts are all ultimately owned by the same person, John Jakes.

Acorn Stairlifts, Telecom House, Millennium Business Park, Steeton, BD20 6RB

BROOKS Stairlifts LTD, Telecom House, Millennium Business Park, Steeton, BD20 6RB

Bison Bede Limited. Unit 9, No. 1 Industrial Estate, Consett, County Durham, DH8 6ST

Minivator and Companion Stairlifts (featuring Help the Aged and KeepAble)

Companion Stairlifts are a subsidiary of Minivator Ltd.

It should also be noted that if you buy a stairlift from KeepAble Stair Lifts then it will be supplied and installed by Minivator. Also if you buy a stairlift from Help the Aged then you are actually paying KeepAble who in turn get Minivator to supply and install the lift. Confused yet?

Minivator Limited, 82 First Avenue, Kingswinford, West Midlands, DY6 7FJ

Companion Stairlifts, 24b-24c Oxford Road, Guiseley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS20 9AS

Thyssen and Lift Able Stairlifts

Lift Able was acquired by ThyssenKrupp group. Thyssen are a huge global concern and their domestic stairlift concern was formely known as Access Industries.

Lift Able, 2 Easter Park, Teesside Industrial Estate, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 9NT

Stannah Stairlifts

Stannah Stairlifts Ltd & Stannah Lift Services Ltd, Watt Close, East Portway, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3SD

Family owned private company.

Reconditioned Stairlifts

Reconditioned Straight Stairlifts

Over the last few years prices of new stairlifts have fallen considerably. It is now possible to buy a new stairlift for around the same price that a second hand lift would have been 10 or 15 years ago. Consequently many perfectly serviceable stairlifts are being scrapped.

Dolphin Mobility currently have in excess of 100 straight stairlifts in stock, ready to install. Most of the lifts we have are Stannah, Meditek and Bison Bede, many are only a few months old.

For a limited time we will supply and install a second hand straight stairlift in the South-East of England for £900, including a 2 year parts and labour warranty in office hours (With most new stairlifts you only get 12 months). The only extra you may have to pay would be for a power point, if you don't have one that we can use.

Reconditioned Curved Stairlifts

As Stannah's largest Trade Customer over the last 10 years, Dolphin have also built up a large stock of second hand Stannah 260 stairlifts. Unlike straight stairlifts a new track has to be made for your staircase. Whilst many companies use re-fabricated tracks, we will have a new track designed and manufactured by Stannah to fit your stairs precisely. The cost will vary according to the length of track required, but will start at £2800 including installation and a 12 month guarantee.

The list on the website is a selection of our current stock of reconditioned stairlifts, which are available from our branch in Surrey, covering London and the South-East. Most other branches will have second-hand units available, but prices and availability can vary. These prices are supeceded by the offer above

All our straight reconditioned stairlifts include the rail, up to 4 metres in length, installation, and a one year parts and labour warranty. The price does not include power point or options such as hinged rails

In the event we do not have a rail of suitable length in stock, we can supply a new rail at an additional charge of between £150.00 and £250.00 dependent on manufacturer.

Long wait for Hounslow stairlifts

Elderly and disabled residents are waiting up to two years for improvements to their homes as waiting lists continue to soar, new statistics reveal. Read more

Dolphin Stairlifts BT Tradespace

For more information on Dolphin's products and services visit our new BT Tradespace pages.

Dolphin Stair Lifts - Kent

Following the recent retirement of Ian Elford from the Kent branch. Matt Pettet has been appointed as Managing Director of Dolphin Lifts Kent. Matt has worked at Dolphin Mobility in Chobham for the last 16 years. Starting as a trainee in 1992, he worked his way up to Operations Manager in recent years. Matt has worked on a huge range of Stairlift products over the years. The experience gained over this time will be invaluable as he embarks in this exciting new role.

We all wish him the very best of luck, and look forward to working with him and supporting him as the Kent Branch grows in the coming months and years. Dolphin Lifts Kent cover the County of Kent outside the M25, and the East Sussex towns of Hastings and St Leonards on Sea. Matt will be offering the complete range of stairlifts from Stannah, Minivator, Bison Bede, Meditek and Freelift, together with a wide selection of other products. For more information please contact Matt on kent@dolphinlifts.co.uk.

Devon Trading Standards successfully prosecutes stairlift fraudster

This article appeared on the Devon Trading Standards website.

From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, April 16, 2007

A PLYMOUTH man has today pleaded guilty to seven charges relating to breaches of the Theft Act, Trade Descriptions Act and Consumer Protection Act, adding to two charges he had already admitted under the Fair Trading Act and Forgery and Counterfeiting Act.

Nigel Warren Roach, 34 years old, from Peverell, was remanded in custody until 11 May for sentencing. The hearing at Plymouth Crown Court came at the end of a long and detailed investigation by Devon County Council Trading Standards Service, assisted by officers from other authorities in the region.

Roach posed as a stairlift repairer/installer and set out to take advantage of the vulnerability of elderly and disabled 'clients'. As a result of his criminal activities, a number of them lost considerable sums of money.

Roach's attention was brought to the notice of Devon Trading Standards in June, 2005, when a complaint was made by an elderly couple who had been deprived of their savings and left stranded without access to all floors in their homes. Further investigations disclosed that Roach had preyed on other victims.

Roach advised that their stairlifts were irreparable and by this and other means, got customers to order expensive and unnecessary replacements which were then not supplied. Customer confidence was gained by various advertisements Roach had placed under the name of Delta Services, a company he created in 2005 while he was an undischarged bankrupt. These adverts showed the logos for two well known, major manufacturers of stairlifts in the UK. Unknown to potential customers, Roach had neither contracts to supply the products, nor permission to use the two trademarks. More importantly, customers never received the new stairlifts they had paid for. They not only lost their money, but he also took away their existing stairlifts.

Peter Greene, Devon County Council's Fair Trading Manager, said: "In a complex web of deception across Wales and the South West, Roach used a variety of false names and addresses and even fabricated a partner, Neil Richards. He then claimed Richards had vanished, blaming him for his business problems. He charged customers VAT when often they were exempt from this payment due to their disabilities. The VAT number he used on his documents was fabricated."

Councillor Brian Berman, Devon County Council's Executive Member for Communities, said: "Most people do not think that if they invite a person into their home they will fall prey to such unethical tactics. Roach cynically preyed on the vulnerable and this court case will put a stop to his deplorable activities. I think it is a tribute to the dedication and professionalism of Devon County Council's officers that this man was finally brought to justice. "

Any Devon residents who consider they have been duped by a fraudulent business and require advice should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or log onto www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

Stairlift could help council

This stairlift related article appeared on the Knutsford Guardian website.

A STAIRLIFT could be installed in an historic building in Knutsford to make it easier for the disabled to attend meetings.

Knutsford Town Council is considering investing in a lift so they can slide up the stairs to the first-floor council chamber where councillors currently meet twice a month.

Town mayor Jennifer Holbrook revealed the council’s plans after a former mayor, now a member of the public, claimed the council was breaking the law by continuing to meet at the 160-year-old Council Offices in Toft Road.

Barbara Austin said the town council needed to change its venue to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

She said it was impossible for anyone in a wheelchair to get upstairs and the staircase itself could be difficult for older residents.

“None of us are exactly Olympians at the moment,” she said. Councillor Holbrook said the council had originally planned to move into the Tourist Information Centre’s office downstairs, but that idea had to be scrapped when Macclesfield Borough Council shelved plans to move the information service to the nearby civic centre.

However, Miss Austin suggested the council could meet elsewhere, such as the Jubilee Hall in Stanley Road.

“I want to know what you’re likely to do,” she said during public question time.

About four years ago the town council switched its meetings to the Cranford Suite at Knutsford Civic Centre to comply with the new disability discrimination laws.

But councillors gave up on that venue because of poor lighting, noisy air conditioning units and trains rumbling by.

They then started meeting in the civic centre coffee bar.

But the noise of people queuing for the cinema eventually forced them to abandon that idea and they moved back into their original council chamber.

At a meeting, former town councillor Brenda Guite said the debates were still difficult to hear.

She suggested installing a speaker system in the chamber.

But Councillor Holbrook said there might be an easier solution.

“Should I ask all the councillors to speak up?” she said.

Two year wait for a stairlift

ELDERLY and disabled people are being forced to wait in misery for up to two years for crucial adaptations to their Sheffield homes, it was claimed today.

Pensioner Peggy Drury, of Mosborough, claims she suffered the indignity of being forced to crawl upstairs to go the toilet after being told she must wait up to two years for a stairlift.

The great grandmother, aged 71, who has had a knee replaced and also suffers from arthritis and breathlessness, said: "I was told it would be three months before somebody from the council could come to see me, a further three months before a decision was made on whether they would pay for me to have a stairlift, then up to 18 months before it was fitted.

"My family clubbed together to buy me one instead, which cost £4,400. That was a special price – it would normally have cost £5,500. I felt uncomfortable and embarrassed that my relatives had to do it."

Peggy's MP Clive Betts said another constituent, a man in his 90s, was forced to strip wash while waiting for a new shower.

Mr Betts said: "Strip washing and crawling up the stairs are not ways to treat elderly people. There are lots of people out there and the waits have been getting longer."

Mr Betts, who represents Attercliffe, said delays could be cut using an unexpected £2.4 million handed to Sheffield Council's new Liberal Democrat administration following an underspend by the local NHS on pensioners and disabled patients.

But it has refused calls by opposition Labour councillors for the money to be spent on the old and infirm, which could have cut delays for adaptations.

Instead, it is going into a general pot.

Mrs Drury said she thought the windfall should "definitely" be allocated to improve elderly and disabled services.

Mr Betts admitted delays built up under the previous Labour administration but stressed "the difference now is there is an unallocated sum of money" to tackle the problem.

Mr Betts has proposed an Early Day Motion in Parliament which condemns the Lib Dems' stance. He was signed by Brightside MP David Blunkett, Sheffield Central MP Richard Caborn and Hillsborough MP Angela Smith.

Coun Simon Clement-Jones, Lib Dem cabinet member for finance, said: "The council has many financial pressures. To ringfence this money would be wrong."

Stannah SOFIA & SOLUS curved stair lifts

Stannah SOFIA & SOLUS straight stair lifts

Elderly housing schemes face cutbacks

Local authority schemes to provide housing improvements for older people and people with mobility problems are facing major cutbacks, the Labour Party has warned.

According to Labour TD, Ciaran Lynch, late last year, various home improvement schemes for older people and people with disabilities, which were previously under the control of the HSE, were amalgamated under the Housing Adaptation Scheme. This was to be administered solely by local authorities.

However councils were not given any additional funding to cover their increased responsibilities and as a result, they are ‘now being forced to scale back on spending in this area’.

“There is real concern among people who are old, ill or disabled that the badly needed stair lift, bathroom conversion, downstairs toilet or extension will not happen because the money is not with the local authorities. At this point, a number of local authorities have spent their allocation and the budget has been exhausted,” Mr Lynch explained.

He said that it is ‘completely unacceptable’ that just half way through the year, people in a vulnerable position are being told that they will have to wait until 2009 before their application for home improvements can be considered.

“These schemes allow elderly, disabled and sick people to continue living in their homes and enable them to maintain an independent lifestyle without unnecessarily taking up a scarce space in a care centre or hospital,” Mr Lynch said.

He pointed out that they are efficient schemes ‘when measured against the cost of elderly and disabled people not being able to live at home’.

“As Minister with overall responsibility for housing and for local government, John Gormley should now give an assurance in response to the genuine concern that this programme is about to collapse,” Mr Lynch added.

Stannah Stairlifts - The Superbrand

STANNAH Stairlifts was crowned as one of the most recognisable names in UK business this week.

The family-run, Andover-based business is the world's top manufacturer of stairlifts and on Tuesday it was granted the sought-after title of Superbrand. See full story here.

Stannah products are available direct from the manufacturer and from authorised dealers such as Dolphin Stair Lifts.

Chance to stay in her home is priceless

HAVING lived happily in her semi-detached Glasgow home for over 40 years, moving was the last thing that Jean Foreman, in her late sixties, wanted to think about.

However, a triple heart bypass, arthritis, osteoporosis and a couple of painful stumbles told her something would have to change. "It had got to the stage where I sometimes had to crawl up the stairs and it was so depressing," she said. "I thought about moving, but looking at another place just brought tears to my eyes." After a visit from an occupational therapist, who assessed her situation, a stair lift was fitted to the house last summer. Bathing was also proving difficult and even with a bath chair, sitting down and getting back up was awkward. Instead there is now a walk-in shower, which has made life immeasurably more manageable. "My occupational therapist Carol has organised every single thing to make sure I'm all right" said Jean. Without these modifications, Jean said there was no way she would have been able to stay in her home.

Despite running close to five figures, the alterations to Miss Foreman's home have been carried out and paid for by the local authority, leaving her only to fund an administration fee of £50. Even having the work done was not problematic, with the stair lift taking just a day to install. Happily able to remain in her home, she simply added: "That is the most important thing to me."

Selling your house? Install a stair lift

Stair lifts and adapted bathrooms may not seem selling points for your house today but, as we live longer, they will become positive attractions "CHARMING family home in excellent location retaining a wealth of original features. Recently modified to include a state-of-the-art stair lift and fully remote bath chair." Is this how property advertisements will read in the future?

Read more here.

Stairlift Price Calculator

Many stairlift companies are reluctant to give you a price on their website or over the phone. Dolphin Stair Lifts have a 'stairlift price calculator' on our website where you can quickly get a price online by answering half a dozen questions about your staircase.

'LEGION HELPED TO TURN MY LIFE AROUND'

Brave ex-servicemen - left homeless after their time with the forces ended - have new lives thanks to the Royal British Legion.

Simon Worsfold (48) served as a firefighter in the RAF for 13 years.

When his service finished, he and his wife bought a home in Grimsby, and Simon began working for the Legion as a case worker.

But when his marriage broke down, Simon found himself homeless on the streets of Grimsby with nobody to help.

"I was in a dead end," he said. "I'd had a triple heart bypass and wasn't well.

"Luckily, I only lived rough for weeks before I turned to the Legion for help."

And the Legion helped Simon turn his life around in his time of need.

They not only found him accommodation in a shared house on Isaac's Hill, Cleethorpes, but also secured him a job at Sentiments Funeral Directors, in Chantry Lane, Grimsby.

Simon said: "I don't know where I'd be without the Legion - they have given me my life back."

He is now preparing to undertake a one-year course to become a funeral director, funded by the Legion.

He added: "I've experienced the work the Legion does from both sides and it's just great."

Ted Davy, the British Legion's regional welfare secretary and Poppy Appeal organiser, said: "Last year, we raised &pound37,000 in Lincolnshire and we have spent already &pound70,000 on 250 people since November.

"It's awful the way that ex-servicemen are abandoned when they leave the services.

"There's no care, support or advice available, so we provide it.

"We not only care for ex-service people but their families as well.

"I have been given an electric scooter and a stairlift myself and it's made my life so much easier."

Another man who has benefited from the services of the legion is Lanny Powell (43), of Garibaldi Street, Grimsby.

He served in the Army twice before returning home in 1996.

He was the victim of a violent "happy slapping" attack and found himself homeless for months.

"The attack really affected me, especially my memory," he said.

"The Salvation Army gave me somewhere to stay, then I heard about the Legion and they offered me help."

Lanny now has a flat, furniture and is looking for a job.

He said: "The Legion has changed my life - it does a fantastic job."

Find out more

Contact the Royal British Legion, based in Cartergate, Grimsby, on (01472) 354135. Visit www.britishlegion.org.uk

Stannah Stairlifts folding seat

This video shows the easy all in one folding action of the new Stannah stairlift seats. Available from Stannah and selected distributor's such as Dolphin Mobility.

Stannah 420 hinged stairlift

The Stannah 420 stairlift hinge folds up and down automatically as the chair rides up and down the stairs.

All change in Stairlift industry

Lift Able acquired by ThyssenKrupp group.

http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2008/03/27/firm-s-quality-leads-to-sale-51140-20680874/

Handicare AS acquires Freelift.

http://www.freelift.com/en/customer/press-release.html

Acorn Stairlifts, who also own Brooks, buy Bison Bede.

http://sparedolphin.blogspot.com/2007/11/acorn-mobility-acquire-bison-bede.html

Mabels website

Mabels . . . For the over 50sIncludes articles, news, humour, financial & retirement advice, money saving tips, nostalgia, health & mobility and more for the over 50s.

Freelift Curved Stairlift

The Freelift Curved Stairlift. Available in the UK from Dolphin Stair Lifts.

Stairlift Costs

Below is a reply I posted to a forum where a user had asked for advice on stairlifts.

I will be totally honest and declare that I am in fact a director of a company that sells stairlifts and if I'm breaking any forum rules then please ask the mods to delete my post.I would urge you to exercise extreme caution when contemplating the suitability of a stairlift. Firstly they are not always the best solution. Many people find that a through the floor lift is more suitable for their needs particularly if you are young and will be using the lift for many years. Stairlifts are not very adaptable if your condition is likely to change in the near future.

My advice would be to consult a healthcare professional such as an occupational therapist to ensure that you are given impartial advice as to the suitability of a stairlift. A good place to start might be an Independent Living centre where in many cases you can actually try equipment before you look to get in touch with stairlift firms.With regard to prices, try typing 'stairlift' into the google search engine and there are some companies that will give you an idea on cost. Many firms are reluctant to give prices up front because they try and get as much money from each sale as possible. Reputable firms will not do this and will be happy to tell you upfront what it is likely to cost.

If you do get to the point of contacting companies for quotes I would always recommend speaking to at least 3 companies to get a better idea of what you will need to pay. Be slightly wary of adverts in the national press as ultimately you will be paying the very high advertising costs. Also don't forget that in many circumstances you may be able to get help from your local authority in the form of a Disabled Facilities Grant or similar. Even if they are unable to help financially they may be able to point you in the direction of a reputable stairlift company that they use. If a stairlift is suitable for you and you have to fund it yourself then try to find a house with a straight staircase as straight stairlifts are half the price of curved lifts.

Hope this helps in some small way, it's tricky for me to go into more detail without being accused of using the forums to advertise my company. Just make sure that you don't rush into anything and that you seek advice from as many people as possible because, unfortunately, there are many companies out there looking to make a quick buck.

I should also add that for a lot of people having a stairlift can dramatically improve their standard of life and the most enjoyable part of my job is having customers call me to say how wonderful the lift is and that they wish they'd got one years ago.

Stairlift photo's on Facebook

Dolphin Mobility now have a Facebook page with images of stair lifts and other mobility aids.