If you’re in the market for a stair lift, you may be wondering if your health insurance or Medicare coverage will pay the cost. Unfortunately, standard health insurance policies and Medicare will not typically cover the purchase or installation of a stair lift, even with a doctor’s order.
If you’re in need of wheelchair ramp, there’s no need to wait for spring to have one installed. In fact, modular aluminum wheelchair ramps can be installed all year round.
Unlike wooden ramps, aluminum wheelchair ramps do not require concrete footers to be poured. Their adjustable legs sit securely on large foot plates that provide a substantial base and sit on top of the surface. This means that they can be installed even when the ground is frozen.
While some may worry that a stairlift installation could damage the walls or floor in their home, that is a myth, and simply not true. Professional installation of a stairlift will not damage the walls in a home as they are simply installed onto the stair treads.
Since April is Occupational Therapy Month, it’s a good time to reflect on how occupational therapists help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world each year.
Despite the important services they provide, many people don’t understand what an occupational therapist (OT) does. An OT is a licensed health and rehabilitation professional that works with people of all ages with mental, physical, developmental, social or emotional problems to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills.
A curved rail stair lift requires a track that is curved to fit the shape of your staircase. There are several different types of curved rail. When buying a curved stair lift, it is important to consider the pros and cons of each type of track.
After you have a stair lift installed, you won’t notice any significant changes to your home’s electric bill. A stair lift is energy efficient and uses approximately .024 kWh of electricity and should cost less than $15 per year.
A question that we frequently get asked is “How much does a stair lift cost?”. There are several factors that determine the price of a stair lift, including which make and model of stair lift you choose and whether your stairway is straight or curved. Other factors include whether you are purchasing a brand-new unit, a used unit or renting a stair lift.
With the therapeutic benefits of warm water therapy gaining notoriety, you may be in the market for a new soaking or walk-in bathtub. If this is the case, you might have seen an option called a hydrotherapy air tub. While many people are familiar with tubs outfitted with whirlpool jets, commonly called a Jacuzzi tub, an air tub is a newer concept.
With so many brands, models, and features to choose from, selecting the right stair lift can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, if you know the right things to look for when shopping for a stair lift, choosing the right one doesn’t have to be a difficult task.
Fast approaching is that wonderful time of year when family and friends gather to celebrate the holidays. Often that means events and parties that include elderly parents, friends or relatives. Whether an elderly relative or friend with limited mobility is coming for the afternoon or staying longer, it is best to consider their safety and comfort.
As we age, getting in and out of a bathtub can become a difficult task that can put us at risk of injury. For those that enjoy a warm bath after a long day but have trouble lowering themselves into a standard bathtub, a walk-in tub might be the perfect solution.
A walk-in bathtub features a water-tight door that swings either in or out, and a built-in seat that allows you to bathe in a seated position. This means you can avoid lowering yourself into a traditional bathtub.
Many people are surprised to learn common home accessibility modifications such as stair lifts, ramps, and barrier-free showers are not usually covered by most standard health insurance policies or Medicare.
It stands to reason that equipment that makes living at home safer for people with limited mobility due to injury, illness, or aging would be covered by these funding sources. Unlike standard medical equipment such as a wheelchair or commode, accessibility equipment is typically installed and attached to the structure of the home, making it ineligible for insurance or Medicare coverage under current standards.
People with limited mobility can benefit from many different types of mobility aids and accessibility equipment. Mobility issues can be caused by injury, aging and illness or progressive diseases like arthritis. Products ranging from walkers and wheelchairs to ramps and vertical platform lifts can accomplish the same goals in different ways.
Television ads that you see for stair lifts often promise quick installation, sometimes the same day. While same-day installation can be a great service and is sometimes necessary due to a loved one being unable to climb the stairs after an injury or discharge from a hospital. However, when purchasing a stair lift, it makes sense to be sure that the unit you’re buying meets your needs and has the optional features that are important to you, instead of just looking for a quick installation.
A wheelchair ramp or outdoor stair lift can be an effective solution for someone that is unable to safely get in and out of their home due to limited mobility. However, depending on the space, mobility of the person and many other factors, there's usually one that makes more sense than the other.
In this post, we'll provide an overview of each product and help you understand when a stair lift or a ramp is going to be the best solution.
If you’re considering the purchase of a stair lift and have more than one staircase in your home, you may be wondering if you need more than one lift. It will likely come down to your budget and the need to access each stairway.
If you’re reading this, your stair lift may not be working properly, or you might be thinking about buying a stair lift and want to know what types of issues can occur. Fortunately, a properly installed and maintained lift is unlikely to cause you a problem. If you do have a problem with your lift, there is a series of troubleshooting tips that can solve some common stair lift issues without scheduling a service appointment.
If you have limited mobility and your home’s entryway has an elevated landing, step or threshold, you’d probably benefit from having an access ramp. Fortunately, there are many kinds of ramps that can help make your home accessible again. These include threshold ramps, portable folding suitcase ramps, solid surface one-piece ramps and aluminum modular ramps.
How do you know which of these is right for your situation? Let’s take a closer look.
If you find yourself with a temporary mobility issue, and you are having difficulty entering or exiting your home, it may be a good idea to rent a wheelchair ramp. That’s right, aluminum modular wheelchair ramps are often available for short-term rental.
Some people may think of a stair lift as a permanent solution for somebody that will never be able to climb the stairs on their own again. This is a misconception. Many stair lift providers offer rental and lease to own units for those with temporary mobility issues.
Often when we think of a stair lift, we envision it inside someone’s home allowing them to access multiple stories of their house. But for many, accessing an outdoor space, such as a garden or lake, is just as important as getting up to a bedroom or bathroom on a second floor. Fortunately, there are stair lifts that are manufactured specifically to withstand harsh outdoor elements.
More than 3 million Americans use a wheelchair and over 10 million use some other form of walking aid, according to statistics. If you have limited mobility and require the use of a mobility aid such as a wheelchair, scooter, or walker, you’d likely benefit from having a ramp or vertical platform wheelchair lift (VPL) installed in your home.
While commercial and residential vertical platform wheelchair lifts look similar, there are differences between the two that make commercial units suitable for use in schools, churches, theaters, restaurants, and other public buildings.
With the typical cost for a straight rail stair lift ranging between $2,200-$5,000, and much higher for a curved stair lift, many people want to know how long their unit is going to last
A common question among people shopping for a stair lift is, “Are they safe?”. Stair lifts that are installed properly by an experienced provider and used correctly are extremely safe. Quality manufacturers (like Bruno) go to great lengths to make sure their stair lifts meet rigorous safety standards.