As we grow older and our mobility declines, the fear of falling down the stairs can be a very real one, to both individuals and their families. Other than getting breathless or it being painful, it is also easy to lose your footing when going downstairs, in particular. A quality stair lift, like those offered by mobility expert Dolphin Lifts, can help alleviate this fear to some degree and provide the peace of mind that not only will you be safe going up and down the stairs, but also retain your independence at home.
Craig Dunnage, a Director at Dolphin Stairlifts, holds the ethos that people should be able to remain independent in their own homes without incurring large costs or fearing a fall. He said: “When you have lived in your home for many years, the thought of moving into single storey accommodation or a residential care home can be daunting, especially when typical moving costs are £10,000 upwards, and the moving process can take weeks, if not months. Typical costs in a residential care home can escalate to over £3,000 per month, making it an expensive change to implement.
“Stair lifts provide the ideal solution to this. Our range of stair lifts cost between £1,300 and £2,000 for a straight staircase, making them almost a tenth of the cost of moving house. For those who want to stay at home, delaying residential care even by a few months can save money in the long run and allow you the comfort and familiarity of your own home without constantly worrying about falls.”
Reduced mobility can have a huge impact on one’s social life and cause dependence on others, along with having a significant medical implications. Craig explains: “We have found that all too often, those with mobility issues who have bathrooms upstairs do not drink enough fluids for the fear of climbing the stairs which could lead to a potential fall. This in turn, can lead to dehydration and a whole host of associated medial complications. Stair lifts give users the freedom to use the whole house and avoid these issues as far as possible.”
However, there are some things to consider before purchasing a stair lift, as Christian Dunnage, another Director at Dolphin Lifts, explains: “Before requesting an installation, it is important to identify the model which is most suitable for your environment. Dolphin offers a free evaluation service whereby an experienced advisor comes out to do an assessment and recommends the best solution for your requirement, taking into account the layout of the stairs and your individual needs.”
In recent years there have been numerous innovations in the design of stairlifts which means there are very few types of staircases which are not suitable for stair lifts. Even complicated, narrow stairs can be accommodated with the installation of a bespoke curved stair lift. With the introduction into the market of lifts from Europe and USA, the choice and options are greater, and prices are lower, than ever before.
With 25 years of solid experience and knowledge behind it, Dolphin is completely independent in its advice and recommendations, and has over 20 branches throughout the UK and Ireland. Craig added: “It is a good time to be thinking about installing a stair lift. Our stair lifts come with some superb design features along with practical elements and great aesthetics to suit a variety of requirements and interiors. We recommend installing a stair lift sooner rather than later, to avoid falls and possible trips to the hospital, which can be distressing for both the user and carer.”
About Dolphin Mobility Ltd
Dolphin Mobility is part of the Dolphin Lifts Group, specialist in the supply of products for the disabled and the leading independent suppliers of stairlifts in the UK. Dolphin supply, install and maintain stairlifts, step lifts, hoists, wheelchair lifts and pool lifts.
