The StairSteady is a product invented by British entrepreneur Ruth Amos. Ruth had the idea as part of a GCSE project. She won the 2006 Young Engineer of the Year award for the device.
The StairSteady is an alternative to a stairlift which gives you support as your climb or descend the stairs. So, if you’re not quite ready for a stairlift, this device allows you to continue using the stairs with greater support. Here’s a short video showing the StairSteady in action.
Is The StairSteady A Good Option?
We think this is a great little device and could be a great alternative to a stairlift if you are strong and able enough to continue using the stairs. However, it’s advisable to seek the advice of an occupational therapist just to be sure. They can determine your needs and advise the best option for your safety in the home – which is the most important consideration when looking at mobility equipment.
Many people resist the idea of a stairlift because using the stairs is one of the only forms of exercise they currently still get.
Once you have stopped exercising, your body quickly loses fitness gains. There’s a decline in muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular health. There’s also the potential weight gain, weaker bones, and negative mood from increased stress.
So it can be an important consideration if you’re considering a mobility aid. To continue moving and exercising in your home is a useful and healthy, if it poses no danger to your health.
When To Choose A Stairlift
In a case where someone is losing muscle strength however, we think a stairlift might be a safer option. A moving handrail, like the StairSteady, becomes too dangerous when it no longer provides reliable stability, for example if the person struggles physically even with the support.
If the user experiences fear, or excessive physical strain, it might be pertinent to prevent a near-miss or actual accident before it occurs by installing a stairlift. Key indicators to make this switch include experiencing pain, extreme fatigue, or dizziness when climbing, as well as a “close call” or an actual fall.
This should be prevented with forward planning. A fall for someone elderly on the stairs can lead to greater injuries and ultimately can be fatal. Over 60% of accident related deaths among the elderly are due to falls involving the stairs.
So it is definitely wise to get the advise of an occupational therapist when considering any mobility aid.
How Much Is The StairSteady?
We found the StairSteady starts at £800 on several websites, with added costs for installation and more complex staircase configurations. The length of your staircase was also a factor.
We would suggest considering a stairlift particularly if you expect the user’s condition to decline. By comparison, our stairlifts start at £1,250 for a straight stairlift, and a stairlift may be a more long-term solution, depending on the situation.
A handrail may eventually need replacing with a stairlift, if the strength or cognitive function of the user declines over time.
Where Can You Get The StairSteady?
We found the website stairsteady.net and the product is also available on other websites such as millercare.co.uk and also www.johnpreston.co.uk.
Are There Other Similar Products On The Market?
We also found this product as mentioned on our blog post alternatives to a stairlift. This is a similar type of product called Topro Step or Assistep. You can find this product at www.toprostep.com.
Summary
We think the StairSteady is a great idea and particularly for injury recovery where longer term physical decline isn’t inevitable. Having a stair climbing aid like this means you can remain more active in your home. Since climbing the stairs is often the main exercise some people get in the homes, it can be useful to keep using the stairs provided it is safe to do so.
When safety is a concern however, we do recommend a stairlift, particularly if it is likely/inevitable that the condition of the user will decline over time. We found the StairSteady online but do not provide this ourselves. It was priced at £800 with added options for installation and optional extras such as extra handles and for increased staircase length and/complexity.
This is quite an investment so if you’re considering one, it’s definitely worth seeking the advice of an occupational therapist to be certain you’re getting the best mobility product for you or a loved one’s needs.
Contact Us
If you think a stairlift might be a more suitable option, give us a call on 0800 046 3438 or visit our contact page. We offer free surveys throughout the UK and are available for installations on short notice.
We also have a YouTube channel with a number of our installations on video.