Stannah is a popular choice for stairlifts, not only in Britain, where the company is based, but worldwide. They provide a number of different products to meet the needs of their customers.

Shown Here is the Sofia Model on their website, photo used with permission.

As a family owned business since 1867, the company specializes not only in stair chair lifts, but also a number of other types of lifts for both home and commercial use. The company began when founder Joseph Stannah began with lifts designed for easily transporting cargo on large ships. Designing stair lifts for better accessibility in homes since 1975, they have become one of the most trusted brands in the UK. In 1992 they expanded the company to service North America including the United States and Canada.

They have a large selection of different lifts available, ranging from straight to curved stair lifts with a number of different seat options. They also have lifts for outdoor use and one model available for children as well. All of their designs are sleek and modern with many different fabric and upholstery designs to choose from.

Shown here is their Sofia model, which is installed directly on the stairs (as opposed to others which mount to the wall) and offers a number of safety features such as an easy to fasten safety belt and can be controlled whether one is sitting in the stairlift or not.

In addition to the Sofia, the Solus, Starla, and Saxom are other models to consider. They all boast of sleek and modern designs, the main difference between them are how they are folded up and whether the offer additional features such as multiple control options and weight limits. (All are battery operated and support at least 250 pounds, with some supporting up to 320 pounds).

Some of the other products the company offers:

Passenger Lifts
Platform Lifts
Commercial Moving Walkways
Commercial Escalators
Goods & Services Lifts
Moving Walkways

If you are looking into Stairlifts, Stannah may just be one of the ones to research for your needs due to the number of different options they have available. They also offer a number of used and reconditioned models to make getting a lift possible for any budget. To learn more about Stannah, visit their website to view all of the stairlifts they have to offer.

There are many different options available to those who are handicapped and looking for a way to safely and comfortably get up the stairs. Depending on the type of steps you have you may decide to use a number of different things that can make everything much easier. Those with corner stairs can sometimes find it challenging to find a good solution, so we’ve decided to share a few different popular alternatives to consider depending on your needs.

Option 1: Vertical Platform Lift

Click the Photo to Learn More About This Type of Lift

The above picture is an example of a Vertical Platform Lift which is an ideal solution if you do not have to go up more than 4-5 stairs. You can order them online here or check with many of the major stair lift suppliers and dealers as it is likely they will carry them as well. While a platform lift for stairs is often more expensive than a traditional stairlift, there are some advantages, with the main one being the person does not have to be able to get out of his or her wheel chair in order to use it. Another bonus is that it makes it easy for carrying and maneuvering larger bulky objects. For example, moving a few shopping bags of groceries with a vertical platform lift would be much easier than it would be with a traditional wall mounted stair lift.

Option 2: Curved Stair Lifts

Curved stairlifts can often be more expensive, but if you have a large staircase which turns the corner, this is often one of the best options. Sterling makes a curved stairlift especially for stairs that have 2-3 steps, then turn the corner, and then are straight the rest of the way up. Others are designed more for traditional curved staircases.

Option 3: Custom Build

If neither of those options seem like they will work for your needs, the other thing you can do is see if you can get a stairlift which is custom built for your home. One method that is commonly used is to actually affix two different rails and chairs to the stairs as pictured below.

The disadvantage to doing this method of course is that you will need two chairs, and it will likely also be very expensive. If the person needs assistance moving from one chair to another this could also cause some issues making it no better.

Option 4: Explore Other Living Arrangements

Sadly this is sometimes the only feasible option for some people, though of course purchasing a new home is very expensive. Some may find that moving into an apartment complex with one level handicapped accessible rooms and an elevator or a first floor room remains to be the best choice. If you are disabled, you may qualify for special loans or housing assistance.

Have you found a suitable solution for a handicapped corner stair lift? Share it in the comments below.

Recently someone inquired about a stair climbing wheel chair and how to get one as another option many may want to consider as an alternative to buying a stair lift.

One such chair is the iBot Mobility System which is no longer is production. Being that it could climb stairs, it gave many the ability to move from one level to the next without the need for installing additional equipment. This provides for even more greater flexibility and freedom, because you can go anywhere with this – not just limited to places with elevators, ramps, and chair lifts for stairs.

The chair offers four main functions that can help people get around better:

Four Wheel Function: Four wheels are better than two, especially when you are traveling on rough and uneven terrains. It can go up to five inches high, making it perfect for going over curbs.

Remote: Need to move your chair without you in it? The remote function allows you to do just that, very helpful for getting it into a vehicle for transportation.

Balance Function: If you’ve ever had difficulty seeing over counters or tables, the balance function can give you the extra height you need to reach things easily that you couldn’t before.

Stair Climbing Function: This is perhaps the most innovative and intriguing thing about the product – it really can climb stairs! There is a minimum requirement of what types of stairs it will go up – each tread needs to be between 5-8 inches high, 10-17 inches deep, and the landing (at the top/bottom of the stairs) needs to be a minimum of 52 inches. While all of this may make you want to carry a tape measure around in your pocket, these are pretty standard dimensions, especially for most newer residential and commercial buildings.

Unfortunately, the iBot is no longer in production, most likely due to its expensive cost of retailing near $22,000, making it difficult for most consumers to justify the cost and expense.

TopChair is another company that is verging into this marketplace, providing their own chair that climbs up stairs. However, it is manufactured in France and finding information to obtain one is difficult to do.

It seems that there is still a long way to go before most people will be able to get a stair climbing wheel chair. Fortunately for many people, with the advancements in mobility scooters and other products there is hope on the horizon.

Bruno stair lifts are another leading manufacturer and brand of stairlifts and other wheelchair and mobility products. Founded in 1984, the company has a strong history of providing various types of lifts and chairs for individuals. Based in Wisconsin, they are popular throughout North America but also have a global presence in all parts of the world.

They currently offer what is known as the Electra-Ride Straight Rail Stairlift line, which has four different models. Three of these models are intended for indoor use, while they also have a 400 pound capacity outdoor model for steps that lead in and out of homes outside. Their models feature battery powered operation and flip up folding seats and footrests for easy passing through by other household members and guests who do not use the seat for moving up and down the staircase. One added feature they offer in their Elite series is the availability of different color choices in upholstery of the seat, which allows for individuals to choose an aesthetically pleasing design that matches their current home decor.

In addition to straight rail accessibility products for manuevering up and down stairs from one level to the next, they also offer curved rail products. This is a very good option for anyone who does not have a straight staircase but rather one that is curved.

Other products the company manufacturers and sells are vehicle lifts. They offer chairs to assist people getting in and out of their automobiles, includes platform lifts for wheel chair use. They also offer lifts for helping others for getting their equipment such as power scooters, wheel chairs, and other mobility aids in and out of the car. They also provide turning automotive seating.

All seats and products are sold through their authorized dealers and distributors. To protect the interests of their customers and maximize safety, they do not recommend self installation and will gladly have their technicians safely and properly install the seat. The Association of Members of Accessibility Industry (AEMA) recommends that stair lifts be installed by professionals to ensure a safe and efficient operation.

When purchasing and shopping around for various stair lifts, including Bruno stairlifts, it is important to do your research and carefully consider the different features and products you will need. Always make sure you work through an authorized dealer to maximize safety and the quality of the product. Bruno also offers a wide variety of videos, brochures, and other information on their site to help you see the chairs in action and to determine which one may be right for you.