Handicare Stair Lifts

Handicare Review

Handicare offers a variety of stairlift solutions for disabled and older adults who cannot safely climb up or down the stairs. Coming from a long history in business, Handicare states their commitment to “making everyday life easier” for seniors and people with disabilities. We like Handicare stairlift systems because they are high quality, and use smart designs to offer greater independence. They include a variety of features and color options to effectively meet your needs and fit your home decor.

Handicare won the 2018 “great warranty” award in our stair lift buyers guide. Handicare claims safety as a top priority, and they back that statement with a with their lifetime warranty on the motor and gearbox of straight stairlifts and 5-year warranty on curved stairlifts. These warranty terms set apart this company from many of their competitors.

Pros

• Highly customizable to fit available space
• Lifetime warranty on some models
• Options to fit most budgets

Cons

• Pre-installation process is time-consuming

Handicare Stairlift Types

Handicare offers a variety of curved, straight, outdoor, used, and rental stairlifts designed to serve a wide range of customers and many types of stairways. Your Handicare supplier will conduct a user assessment and staircase survey to help you decide which model and options are going to work best for you and your home.

Straight stairlifts work on a single, straight flight of stairs that has no turns, bends, or mid-flight landings.Handicare’s straight stairlift models include the Simplicity, Simplicity Plus, 1000, 1000XXL, and 1000 Outdoor. The Simplicity series has a continuous charge feature even when the lift is in use. Handicare’s 1000 series is designed for narrow staircases with a slim straight stair lift track and comes with powered options such as a foldable footrest and swivel ability. Handicare’s 1000 series also comes in an XXL version to accommodate more weight.

Curved stairlift makes staircases that have bends, turns, or mid-flight landings accessible. The Vermeer is Handicare’s stairlift built for multi-story homes and spiral stairwells. Handicare’s Van Gogh single rail curved stairlift is a popular option for complicated staircases and offers several seat options. The Rembrandt is designed to run along the narrow side of your stairwell, leaving the broad section open to foot traffic. Handicare’s 2000 twin-rail series is said to offer the tightest track bends available in the stairlift industry.

Outdoor stairlifts give individuals the ability to enjoy their homes fully, both inside and outside, supplying access to porches, gardens, patios, and backyard decks. Handicare makes both straight and curved outdoor stairlifts able to withstand the elements. The lifts can be locked to prevent unauthorized use, are waterproof, and come with covers for added protection. Handicare’s 1000 and 2000 models are for outdoor use. Both come with UV-protected upholstery and a waterproof cover to keep them ready for any weather.

Pre-owned stairlifts can bring an otherwise unaffordable option into your budget’s reach. Handicare provides used stairlifts at more economical prices. Keep in mind, the styles and models are limited, and may not fit your home’s requirements or your individual needs.

If you only need a stairlift for a brief period, a temporary rental stairlift may be a better option for you, especially if you are on a limited budget. Handicare offers a monthly rental plan. But like their second-hand stairlifts, Handicare’s rental stock units may not fit your staircase or your individual needs.

Handicare models offer many features and options to choose from, including swivel functions, safety sensors, seat locks, safety belts, body harnesses, padded seats, adjustable seat height, hinged track, slide track, foldable stair lifts, foldable seat/arms/footrest, powered stand-up seat, and upholstery options. The company provides battery back-ups in case of power outages.

All Handicare stairlifts come standard with two remote controls, one to each to leave the top or foot of the stairs, which allows you to transport items upstairs or downstairs without actually sitting on the lift. Users can park the chair at the top or the bottom of the staircase if they wish to keep the chair out of sight. Dual remotes also make these stairlifts ideal for multiple users and for calling the stairlift between levels.

Handicare Stairlift Costs

Because Handicare stairlifts are custom made, measured to fit your stairway, and tailored to your personal needs, the cost can vary widely. An advisor will come to your home to take measurements, discuss options and requirements, and provide you with a free quote. The advisor will also help you choose the right lift for your individual needs. There is no cost for this advisory service, and the estimate is free of any obligation.

Pricing ranges between $2,500 to $5,000 for straight stairlifts and basic models. For curved staircases and stairlifts with added customizable options, you can plan on spending between $5,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the model and features you choose.

Many states will waive sales tax on a stairlift if you can obtain a valid prescription from your healthcare provider stating that the stairlift is necessary and will benefit your health and mobility. Be sure to check into local and state guidelines to learn if you qualify. Handicare also offers financing options to assist customers.

Preview Your Handicare Stairlift Before Installation

Many consumers are hesitant to install a stairlift because they don’t know what it will look like in their home. This is a big investment, and not only do you want it to function well for your needs, but you also want it to fit in with your decor as much as possible.

Handicare developed Vision, an application which dealers can use to create a 3D image of how the stairlift will look once installed in your home. You can view seat options and see how the system will appear from all angles in your actual stairway. It will also give you a better idea of the installation process and answer questions that a flat picture in a brochure cannot. See the Handicare Vision app in action on YouTube to get an idea of its usefulness.

Handicare Complaints

Handicare’s overall satisfaction rating with multiple review sites is just shy of five stars (the highest score) based on over 100 reviews in the last year. Handicare earned an A+ rating on BBB. While most customers were happy with their experience, a few reported missing parts, and mechanical failures shortly after installation. However, these consumers noted that the company was very responsive about getting those parts replaced and made sure all operational issues were resolved quickly.

Handicare Q&A

• On average, how long do stairlifts last?
  If maintained properly, a stairlift will last for about 10 to 15 years, depending on how often it is used.

• Does Medicare help cover the cost of a new stairlift?
  No, Medicare does not consider a stairlift to be “medically necessary,” and therefore does not cover the cost.

• Are Handicare stairlifts easy to operate?
  Handicare stairlifts carry worldwide safety certifications and come with seven automatic safety sensors that will immediately stop the lift if anything is detected in its path. For maximum safety, all Handicare stairlifts have seat belts to be used while the customer is in transit on the staircase.

• Will my stairlift work in a power outage?
  All Handicare stairlifts operate on battery power. In a power outage, the lift will continue to work for up to 10 round trips before needing to be recharged. When your stairlift is parked, the battery is in a continuous charging mode to ensure maximum battery availability if the power goes out.

• Will a Handicare stairlift fit on my unique staircase?
  Handicare stairlift models are designed to fit standard and narrow staircases, and their flexible designs fit curved stairs, stairs with landings, multi-story staircases and spiral staircases.

Conclusion

The number of adults over the age of 65 who live alone is increasing, according to the Population Reference Bureau. Many of them are choosing to stay in their family homes. A stairlift can provide the optimal solution for these individuals as well as disabled persons who want to maintain mobility and independence while still living in the comfort of their own homes. Handicare, with its long history of developing and delivering solid lift solutions both in Europe and the United States, is certainly worthy of consideration.