Stairlift FAQs
What is a stairlift?
A stairlift is a piece of mobility equipment that is designed to give a user independence and offer safety to get up and down the stairs in a comfortable manner.
Stairlifts are mechanical devices that lift mobility-challenged people safely and comfortably up and down the stairs in a seated or standing position.
How do stairlifts work?
There can be some discrepancies between the different makes and models of stairlifts, however, they are all designed with simplicity in mind, make it easy for you to safely get up and down the stairs.
Stair lifts typically run along a track that is mounted to your staircase, not the wall. Usually, a motor within the chair is powered by a battery that moves the chair up and down the track. The motor controls a gear that is turned to move the chair either up in one direction and then reversed to go back down.
Often there will be controls that can send the stairlift up and down the track without a user needing to be on the chair. This is useful if there is more than one user of the stairlift in a home.
How much does a stairlift cost in the UK?
Stairlift designs are pretty unique to your home, so it’s hard to give a definitive, one-size-fits-all answer. Prices on Millercare start at £1295 for a seated aid and £495 for a standing aid. But things such as curved stairs will incur an extra charge as opposed to straight staircases.
Where can a stairlift be fitted?
A stairlift is fitted in the home, along the path of the staircase. Typically your staircase will need to be 600mm wide, Millercare’s expert staff will carry out a home assessment to give you a quote and evaluation of the stairlift.
We also offer stairlifts that can be fitted outdoors, ideal for those who may have steps to get into their property.
Can I get a stairlift on the NHS?
Unfortunately, the NHS doesn’t give direct funding to pay for a stairlift in your home, despite the fact that it may be a necessity for you to get around your safely. However, there are home assessments that can be carried out through your local council or social services to see if there are ways that you can be assisted with mobility in the home.
Can you get a grant for a stairlift?
There are grants and funding available for stairlifts, which are available through a variety of sources. These include government grants, as well as aid from charities.
However, there are certain criteria that must be met in order to qualify for these grants. Grants for stairlifts that it may be useful to look into include:
The Disabled Facilities Grant which is a government grant
Specialist charities like SSAFA and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
The Edward Gostling Foundation
Other charities include Margaret’s Fund and Independence at Home, however, you’ll need to have been referred to these places by health or social care workers or occupational therapists.
Turn2Us may also be able to help if you have been denied grants previously, contact them and they are able to see if there are any other financial help solutions available.
Can I buy a stairlift near me?
Absolutely - Millercare have many branches across the North West, allowing you to view and discuss a stairlift near you. If you're outside of the North West you can view the entire product range on the Stannah Website
