For a senior to age in place then they actually have to be able to age in place and not move to new, unfamiliar surroundings. But what do you do when your love ones need assistance and help with moving around their home but they are now struggling to climb the stairs?
most people will initially think to install a stair lift but these can be bulky and block the stairs if the stairwell is not wide enough. This can cause issues with carers and anyone else living in the home and can even make a senior citizen feel guilty about being in the way.
Stairlifts have to be folded away and if your parents are arthritic, this could be a painful activity for them.
One of the new innovations on the market is the Homelift from Stiltz. It is a simple lift that can be installed in a home and can even allow wheelchair uses easy access to the upstairs of their homes.
Stiltz was founded in 2010 in the UK and are the manufacturer of an innovative homelift for the elderly.
The Stiltz Home Lift is unique that it is a domestic lift for the elderly that can be easily installed in a home to allow seniors to stay in the homes that they love even when stairs become too much and are a perfect alternative to a stairlift.
Unlike traditional stairlifts, the Stiltz domestic lifts are spacious, safe, and can carry up to three people and a wheelchair… you can even put animals like guide dogs in.
Benefits of domestic lifts
The Stiltz website promotes that their domestic lifts can be installed ‘almost’ anywhere and this is largely down to the layout of the home you are looking to install a domestic lift into.
The Stiltz homelift has a small footprint and incorporates dual rail technology for safety. What this means is that a Stiltz homelift is a perfect alternative to a stairlift as it can fit into spaces that other home lifts cannot with minimal building work.
“Excellent product installed by polite and very competent tradesmen. Fits perfectly into my home. Made a huge difference to my ability to live independently.”
Mark, via trustpilot (2nd Jan 2020)
How much does a Stiltz home lift cost?
Very few home lift companies list prices for domestic lifts in the UK. It is difficult to say precisely how much a Stiltz home lift will cost as there are may factors. Prices for both the Duo+ and Trio+ models start at £12,000, but can go a lot higher depending on additional features and any customisation needed.
Home lifts are a great addition and versatile investment for any senior citizen aging in place. To get a full understanding of the cost of a residential lift then you have to account for the bespoke variables in the home it is being installed in. It is best to speak with Stiltz and get them to come and provide a full quote so you can understand the pricing fully for your needs.
Whats important to remember is that installing a home lift is an investment in independence. Creating a feeling of independence is very important for seniors aging in place and installing a Stiltz home lift is a great way of keeping your loved ones mobile and independent.
How big is a Stiltz home lift?
When elder proofing a home it is vital to make sure that areas remain clear and trip hazard free, so the last thing you want in a domestic lift is something big and in the way. The Stiltz home lift has an amazingly small footprint so takes up very little space in a home and covers less than 1sqm. This means that this domestic lift can be installed in pretty much any home and not be in the way.
How quiet is a Stiltz home lift?
Unlike the alternative domestic lifts, Stiltz uses new technology and not things like hydraulics or vacuum systems so it is a lot quieter than their competitors.
How easy is it to install a Stiltz home lift?
Thanks to being a modular design, the Stiltz Homelift fits through most doorways and fits under most ceilings making it very fast to install.
The majority of installations take only a single day but occasionally will take longer if there are complications.
How does a Stiltz home lift work?
The Stiltz home lift uses a steel rope, drum-braked gear motor drive powered by a standard 13amp socket. All of the mechanisms are hidden away in the roof of the domestic lift car making it very neat.
How much power does a Stiltz home lift use?
The Stiltz domestic lift plug into a standard 13amp power socket which makes them very economical to use. It uses no more power than a kettle, toaster or microwave.
How to install a domestic lift?
The Stiltz home lift is very flexible when it comes to location of installation as the modular design and drive mechanism means it can be installed discreetly into a room corner or other small space.
Normally a Stiltz home lift is installed into a hallway or main living room and travels up to the main bedroom or a landing area. The Stiltz home lift installation team have installed in many locations including stairwell voids, and even cupboards! If space is not restricted then installing in the middle of a room can give easy access to seniors who need to use it.
The Stiltz home lift does not need to be mounted onto load bearing walls as the structure supports itself using its dual rail system. This means it doesn’t add any pressure or burden onto the house structure.
Unlike alternative domestic lifts installing a Stiltz home lift is much easier. installation will require a hole to be cut out and trimmed by a qualified builder but this work is minimal and quick. Depending on the home and the location identified for installaing a Stiltz home lift there may be some small additional work required like moving plumbing pipes but this can be handled by the Stiltz building team.
How long does a Stiltz home lift take to be delivered?
Stiltz will normally deliver your new home lift within 6-8 weeks which gives enough time for the required building work to be completed, the lift to be manufactured and installed.
Do Stiltz home lifts need planning permission?
No. The maximum requirement needed to install a Stiltz Home Lift in your home is a standard building notice application which involves an inspection by an authorised independent body, usually during the building phase. This process is organised on your behalf by Stiltz.
What is the load capacity of the Stiltz home lift?
The maximum weight that a Stiltz home lift can accommodate is 170kg, 27 stone or 375 pounds (Duo) and 250kg, 39st or 550lbs (Trio). If this weight is exceeded then the lift will not operate to ensure safety of senior citizens.
Difference between Duo and Trio Stiltz Home Lifts.
The main difference between the duo and the trio Stiltz home lifts is that the trio accommodates wheelchair users. Larger than the Stiltz Duo Home Lift, the Trio can fit a standard-sized wheelchair and is ideal for seniors with walking frames or disabilities
The additional space needed to be able to access the domestic lift in a wheelchair also needs to be taken into account when deciding where to locate the lift in a seniors’ home.
Related Questions
Is VAT applicable on residential lifts?
VAT is chargeable on domestic lifts but if the buyer is disabled or has a long-term illness then they may be exempt from paying VAT. If you are buying a home lift for a senior citizen then it may be worth transferring money to them and they make the purchase to be entitled to the VAT exemption.
When buying a Stiltz home lift request an exemption form if you think you may qualify for VAT relief.
How often do domestic lifts need servicing?
Like any important piece of equipment it is recommended to have a domestic lift serviced every year, much like a gas boiler. During the service make sure all functions are working and all safety features are operational as they should be.
