Seat lift – Why consider an alternative?

People who have difficulty climbing stairs at home can find many different solutions to this problem. The seat lift has been one of the most common solutions to date.In this article, we will therefore look at why a seat l

ift is not always the best solution. And what you need to consider when buying a seat lift.

Contents

What is a seat lift?

A seat lift is a device that transports the person concerned up and down between two or more floors in their own home. It consists of a rail specially developed for your staircase and a seating device.

The seat moves slowly along the staircase, usually at a speed of around 7 cm per second. There are seat lifts for straight stairs and for curved stairs.

Seat lift information video

How much space does a seat lift need?

Seat lifts require a comparatively large amount of space and therefore cannot always be installed on narrow stairs. This means that they restrict the width of the staircase for others.

The rail system of a stairlift normally takes up around 18 cm from the wall. In addition, the seat unit takes up around 40 cm when not in use. As stairs often do not have enough space to park a stairlift and provide a safe escape route at the same time, the seat unit must be parked both at the top and bottom of the stairs.
Here is an example of the dimensions of a seat lift:

  • Total height 98 cm
  • Seat height 44 cmTotal depth (from wall) 57 cm
  • Total depth (folded) 31 cm
  • Width of the footrest 31 cm
  • Total width 60.5 cm
  • Seat depth 60.5 cm

What is the average cost of a seat lift?

“The price of a seat lift is normally between 2,500 – 12,500 euros. The final price depends on whether you have a straight staircase or a curved staircase.

Although technical challenges are often a reason why a seat lift cannot be installed, there is another and equally important reason why other solutions should be considered first.

In recent years, there has been a great deal of activity in the area of “daily living rehabilitation”. Everyday rehabilitation is about mastering everyday activities at home, as surveys clearly show that most people want to continue living in their own four walls. This is also by far the most socio-economic solution.

Keeping the body moving has a huge impact both physically and mentally. Physical activity contributes to the following, among other things:

  • Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
  • Lower risk of colon and breast cancer
  • Better memory and other cognitive functions
  • Greater opportunity to remain independent and look after yourself
  • Fewer falls and fractures

Source: Zeit Online

Exercise is the body’s most important medicine and has been proven to help prevent dementia, cardiovascular disease, strokes and heart attacks. A seat lift, on the other hand, helps to passivate the person affected.

Experience shows that people who install a seat lift at home – and then stop walking up the stairs – lose the ability to climb stairs after a very short time. Senior citizens and people with disabilities in particular lose muscle mass in their legs. For this reason, we wanted to develop the TOPRO Step stair assistant

What is the TOPRO Step stair assistant?

TOPRO Step is a stair climbing aid that secures you when climbing stairs. TOPRO Step was developed by former NTNU students (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) and launched on the Norwegian market in 2015.

The reason why we wanted to develop TOPRO Step was that many people have difficulty going up and down the stairs. Reasons for this include diseases such as Parkinson’s, stroke and MS. However, there are many people who have an increased risk of falling for a variety of reasons.

One of the first things we saw in the development in 2012 were statistics from Statistics Norway. The figures show that there are around 50 deaths due to falling down stairs and around 30,000 injuries in Norway every year.

A fall on the stairs can have serious consequences, such as hip fractures or a fractured neck of femur. There are around 9,000 hip fractures every year in Norway alone, and the statistics unfortunately show that the prognosis is poor for those affected.

How do you motivate yourself to exercise more and protect yourself at the same time?

Since the market launch of the TOPRO Step in 2015, over 1000 products have been installed in the north of Norway and as far as France. To date, there has not been a single accident involving the TOPRO Step. TOPRO Step is certified and tested by the German TÜV and is approved for people weighing up to 120 kg. TOPRO Step can be installed on both straight and curved stairs. Experience TOPRO Step.

TOPRO Step costs

As with seat lifts, the price of a TOPRO Step depends on various factors. As TOPRO Step is a module-based system, it does not have to be completely customised to your staircase. The course of the stairs, the number of curves, the length of the required rail system, the desired equipment and the conditions on site, such as wall material or depth differences in the wall, are factors that influence the TOPRO Step price.

TOPRO Step information video

Why choose TOPRO Step?

Installation in 3 steps

To carry out an on-site inspection and receive a quote, make an appointment with us. Once you have accepted the quote, we will carry out the installation, which usually only takes a few hours.

TÜV tested and certified

TOPRO Step is TÜV-tested and certified and meets all functional and safety requirements.

Adaptable to your staircase

TOPRO Step is designed so that it can be easily adapted to your staircase. It can be installed on straight stairs, curved stairs and stairs with a landing.

Check for insurance coverage or help

Ask your health insurance company about the possibility of cost coverage or possible subsidies. Please note that these options are country-specific and individual.

Up to 5 years warranty

TOPRO Step means TOPRO quality. When you buy a TOPRO Step, you receive a guarantee of up to 5 years.

Over 2,000 satisfied users

We measure success by satisfied customers, which is our top priority. We already have over 4,000 satisfied users throughout Europe.

Choose your TOPRO Step

Configure your TOPRO Step - in just a few steps!

Get in touch with us

Would you like a free inspection or a no-obligation quote? Contact us and we’ll take care of the rest.

Do you have any questions or would you like to test the TOPRO Step stair climber?

We have compiled all frequently asked questions on the FAQ page

Would you like to find out more about the financing options for the TOPRO Step?

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