Sit on a comfortable seat and glide rather than walk up and down the stairs!

Stair lifts have become a popular aid for those who have developed mobility needs, but want to continue living in their multilevel home.

With a stair lift you can sit on a comfortable seat and glide rather than walk up and down the stairs of your home.

Stair lifts come in various capabilities and styles and can be customised to suit almost any staircase.

Installation is straightforward, providing safe internal access to all levels of your home. Outdoor models are also available.

Funding

Stair lift prices start from around $1,599 for a basic model up to $20,000 plus for custom designed models. More accurate pricing, including installation costs, is available through a consultation with a stair lift supplier.

There are several possible avenues to fund a stair lift.

People who have ongoing mobility needs can apply for a Lotteries grant through the Department of Internal Affairs.

You can also talk to Work and Income about assistance towards modifying your house and other help to cover partial costs associated with installation of a stair lift.

Other options

If an injury caused the mobility need, ACC may be able to assist.

Discuss your eligibility with your Case Manager, who will arrange for an assessment by an ACC approved Occupational Therapist.

For other sources of funding, talk to your GP or Occupational Therapist.

Servicing

An option is to lease or rent a stair lift. Contact your preferred dealer to discuss how this works.

Once installed, a stair lift can provide years of use, and will typically need little maintenance.

Often suppliers recommend an annual service of your internal stair lift to maintain your guarantee (twice a year for outdoor stair lifts). Servicing may be included in the purchase or lease of your stair lift; check details before committing.

Home maintenance

It is important to regularly self-check your stair lift to keep it in good running order. To be safe, remember to switch off your stair lift's power supply before carrying out checks.

The main thing to check for is dust or debris in the tracks, which can build up and affect the gliding performance of your stair lift.

No special cleaning items are needed; a damp cloth (NOT WET) and a dab of dishwashing liquid will do the trick for both the seat and the track.

Elevators and lifts

It's a good idea to have your stair lift installed by your dealer or their authorised agent to ensure safety, and that you are fully covered by any warranties.

Stair lifts are strong and reliable, but if you have any problems, most dealers will send a trained technician to fix it (usually within 24 hours in an urban area).

People with limited mobility may want to consider a home elevator or lift.

Although this is more expensive than a stair lift, it might be safest for those who cannot easily operate a stair lift.