Stroke survivor gets a safer home thanks to part funded homelift

Steve Waller, aged 64, from Rotherham, who is also visually impaired, is the latest to benefit from the installation of a Stiltz Trio+ Homelift, partly funded by a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).

Steve has lived in Brampton for over 25 years after working in the heavy plant Industry and charity sector. Due to his increasing visual impairment and the need to provide care for his son who developed a life limiting condition, Steve gave up his career to focus on life at home. Despite remaining physically fit, at the beginning of 2019 Steve experienced a stroke and paralysis. Fast forward 18 months and Steve has made a remarkable recovery but still lives with limited mobility and balance issues. These are exacerbated by his visual impairment which when combined, presents a safety risk while using the stairs. Following several falls and injuries, most recently in January 2020, Steve decided he needed to find a solution.

Steve had received limited adaptations at home during his rehabilitation and then came across homelifts which he discovered could be paid for through a DFG.

In February 2020, a Stiltz Assessor visited Steve to complete an initial assessment of his needs. The most appropriate homelift and its location within his home were discussed in detail, whilst focusing on daily living requirements and maintaining his existing lifestyle.

Steve said: “The council funded the equivalent cost of a stairlift – which for my curved stairs wasn’t the cheapest option - and I paid the extra to get a homelift. Stiltz were the most competitively priced of all the homelift companies even though their design and quality was much better. On completion of the job, Stiltz invoiced the council directly for the DFG contribution and I paid Stiltz for the shortfall, all very easy.” He added: “My homelift means I can live safely with my retired guide dog Evie and avoid exposure to coronavirus. I believe a homelift is a far, far better solution for stroke survivors than a stairlift. Even if you just look at the simple things in life like taking your washing up and down the stairs, my Stiltz Homelift has made such a difference.”

FROM THE EDITOR

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