Lift dimensions

[Aisling Byrne]

Hello everyone. I hope you’re enjoying the nice weather as we are in London. I’m seeking advice on lifts. Thinking of moving from our house (very narrow stairs) to a flat, but London blocks tend to have very small lifts. Thinking ahead to a possible power chair, could anyone advise on the dimensions needed to get this in and out of a lift. Does anyone have experience of using smaller power chairs (which might fit into a lift). My husband is still walking but experiencing increased weakness. It’s so hard to plan. Thank you in advance for any tips. Aisling

[matthew55]

I'm interested to see what happens as it's a potential game changer for me. 👍👍😁😁xx

[Ellie]

Ooh, that's a hard one Aisling - the ultimate chicken and egg conundrum.

A good place to start might be knowing the dimensions of a small, but suitable, powerchair. The Salsa Mini is a popular chair and has a 'Neuro' version, ie, suitable in the long term with specialist seating, armrests etc.

Its length is 1210mm *but* that's not what it'll end up as in practice. For starters, his feet will add on a few more cm to the front, and very few of us keep the backrest up straight, but recline it to some degree for comfort and/or seating position, so that too adds to the length and by more than a few cm. Some headrests can add on a few cm too, as can non-standard leg rests. The width isn't so much of an issue at 630mm, but he may need to have another person in the lift, which needs to be factored in.

Have you seen what dimensions domestic lifts are?

Love Ellie.

[Deb]

Hi Aisling,

I'm loving the weather🌞 thank you .. hope you are too. Looking forward and anticipating future needs is so tricky. We were lucky enough to move to a ground floor apartment which was suitable for my salsa mini powerchair. We moved from what was our family home but I think it just brought it forward and its so much easier to be all on one level.

It might be just me but I do feel vulnerable when I am relying on lifts, especially if there's more than one floor. I've had some tests in hospital on the fifth floor! On the lift the sign always says.. not to be used in the event of fire ! I always worry about the lift being out of order or if there's an emergency.

I'm sure London ground floor accommodation is hard to find... but its just a thought.
Good Luck.
Love Debbie x

[matthew55]

Food for thought I'm so very close to my first fall that my confidence, namely "I would miss a chair" is shattered. I need the thinnest power chair made and my independence will come rushing back to me.👍😍🤗😀xxxxx

[Aisling Byrne]

Thanks everyone, for the as always invaluable advice. Indeed Ive notes the mini salsa dimensions and the lifts I’ve measured so far don’t accommodate in depth . As Ellie says , width is less of an issue. It would indeed be unfortunate to be in a room somewhere, so it looks as though I may need to go back to the drawing board. Many thanks and love to all of you

[richard]

I need the thinnest power chair made and my independence will come rushing back to me.👍😍🤗😀xxxxx

Bring back the fluffy dice and go fast stripes and you will be like Lewis Hamilton 😂
Richard