I visited my grandmother in Michigan this summer. She just turned 85 and is very independent. I cannot fathom her not living on her own. As a matter of fact, we had a long discussion about it. She said she thinks her health would go downhill fast if it comes to the point she cannot stay in her home alone.
Grandma lives in a bi-level home. Once you walk in the door, you have to go up or down the stairs. There is no choice. If she ever hurt herself she would have to go stay with a family member. She said she would hate to leave if it were simply only the stairs giving her an issue (which thankfully isn’t a problem right now). This is when I told her she would be all set if she had a stairlift installed. This would not only help her out, but would make her home more accessible to friends her age who no longer visit because of the stairs. For that matter, my mother (her daughter) has issues with stairs.
She said she it is quite an expense for something she isn’t overly familiar with. I told her I think she would love it and told her about my brother-in-law. My brother-in-law (other side of the family) is a paraplegic and very independent, but of course stairs are a huge issue. He and his family stayed in a home they didn’t particularly like for many years because it was one floor. When they finally decided to go hunting for a new home, he felt limited. However, after his wife brought up a stairlift, they searched for two stories homes as well.
My brother and sister-in-law did find a two story home and had the lift installed. It has worked out great. He absolutely loves it. He says he feels perfectly safe riding it up and down the stairs. He said it was the best investment he has ever made. After telling my grandma all about it, she said she feels more comfortable with the idea of a stairlift. She is holding off for now because she doesn’t need it. She has looked into the cost and is saving for one in case the time comes she ever needs it.
*This is a sponsored post for Handi lift Residential, however, all the points and views are my own.
