Carers UK Celebrates 50 Years

30th September 2015

Carers UK recently celebrated 50 years of making life easier and better for carers.

The charity is a hub of advice, support and information for people who care for a disabled, seriously-ill or older loved one, unpaid. With 6.5 million carers in the UK (which continues to rise), there is a lot of people out there that need this vital support and stats show 8 in 10 carers have at some point felt lonely or socially isolated as a result of their caring responsibilities. According to the charity, by 2037 there will be 9 million carers in the UK – a 40% increase.

Over the past year, Carers UK Adviceline responded to nearly 20,000 enquiries and its online Forum community increased to over 9,000 carers. With the ever growing elderly and disability community, the number of carers is rapidly increasing therefore so is the demand on Carers UK’s services.

Is this something you can relate to? Are you a carer? Tell us your story.

Britain Must Start Investing In Adult Social Care

19th August 2015

An article recently published in the Guardian re ‘Britain Must Start Investing in Social Care’ highlighted political failure when it comes to adult care.

The article was referring to Zoe Williams’ article (Adult social care is not a problem – it is a human necessity, 10 August). Quoted within was Andrea Sutcliffe, the chief inspector of adult social care, who said the sector is under stress and strain and one in which an ageing population with increasingly complex needs was only half the story. It suggested the problems stemmed from the feedback loop of inadequate funding, delusional commissioning and undervalued care workers. And what’s really scary is regulators receive more than 150 allegations of abuse of the elderly every day!

In the care industry blame is often pushed around from politicians to councils. Meanwhile care workers are expected to do the best they can with limited time and resource if not massively underpaid.

As the article asks, ‘when will the blame stop and the leadership begin? It’s time for someone to put the person receiving the care first and take personal responsibility for ensuring that disabled and older people are properly cared for. The question is whether the chancellor will take up that responsibility in the upcoming comprehensive spending review.’

With the ageing population growing massively, if this situation isn’t sorted, Britain is heading towards crisis. 

The Importance of Recycling

7th August 2015

With various cuts such as the closure of the Independent Living Fund, it is now more important than ever that we do what we can to help the disabled community.

Brand new stairlifts can be costly, and if there is no financial support for disabled or elderly people to fund that necessary home adaptation, then it may force someone to leave their home or not be able to fully use it.

Therefore we are calling out to those who have an unwanted stairlift (or mobility scooter) and want to donate it. We can remove stairlifts from across most parts of the UK and take them away to recondition or strip for parts. We can then repair and sell back to the community for a much cheaper price. 50% of what we make goes to a panel of eight relevant charities that support disabled and elderly people.

The reconditioned stairlifts are just as good as new and come with the same warranty as a new stairlift.

If you want to donate a stairlift or a mobility scooter, please email us or call. If you’d like to enquire about having a stairlift installed, please contact us here  

Breakthrough As Scientists Find New Drug That Appears To Slow Alzheimer’s

23rd July 2015

It has been the biggest news regarding Alzheimer’s for decades – scientists believe they have found a drug which slows the pace of mental decline.  The drug, names Solanezumab, showed signs of slowing down memory loss in patients with mild Alzheimer’s over the course of a few years.

Although scientists have said it isn’t a cure, the wider implications of the results are a huge result. It is the first time any medication has slowed down the rate at which Alzheimer’s damages the brain.

The director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, Dr Eric Karran, said: “This is the first evidence of something genuinely modifying the disease process. It’s a breakthrough in my mind. The history of medicine suggests that once you get through that door you can explore further therapeutic opportunities much more aggressively. It makes us less helpless.”

More trials are to take place around the drug and, depending on the success of those trials, it may be several years before it is available on the NHS. But it is a step forward it driving treatment and hopefully finding a cure.

Across the UK, one person every three minutes develops Alzheimer’s – a shockingly high rate. Alzheimer’s Society research shows that 850,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, and that in less than 10 years, 1 million people will be living with dementia. This is expected to rise to 2 million by 2051 unless preventative treatments are developed.

COT2015, Brighton

9th July 2015

Last week we headed down to sunny (and slightly stormy) Brighton for The OT Conference. In partnership with Stairlift and Mobility Recycling we set up stand to exhibit and explain our services.

It was encouraging to hear how stairlift and mobility recycling and reconditioned stairlifts and scooters are a much needed service. It was something of great interest to the OTs and they now have somewhere to refer their patients. It was also great to meet people in the OT industry and we made lots helpful contacts.

It was a busy couple of days and here is a photo round up:

Why Should I Have A Stairlift Fitted?

15th May 2015

Home is where the heart is, so they say. Most people understand that and have a sentimental attachment to their home. We understand how important it is for elderly people and those with health problems to remain in their homes for as long as possible.

With the ever rising life expectancy age (a third of British people are predicted to be 55 years and older by 2030), more and more people are in need of mobility products and stairlifts. Britain’s elderly population is set to outgrow the younger population and there is a big question on how society manages that and ensures people can live independently. Health services and development of mobility products are major factors and role of mobility products in society is ever growing.

Stairlifts were created to make life easier for those that struggle or can’t get up the stairs and offer a simple solution so that people can reap the benefits of their home again.

These days stairlifts are sleek, modern looking and provide the solution for many disability issues at home.  As we deal with both new, reconditioned, bought or rented, we can ensure the right stairlift is fitted for your home at the right price. Reconditioned stairlifts are just as good as new but without the high ticket price. We’re also independent which means we work will all major stairlift manufacturers.

Advice on adapting your home for your disability

1st May 2015

With the average life expectancy age continuing to rise, its great to know people are enjoying life for longer. However, with old age often comes health problems and disabilities – but in these modern day times, those issues can be easily managed.

It is also believed that most people in life will experience some form of disability which can occur naturally, health issues, old age, or an accident.

Where do I start when looking to adapt my home? 

The initial stage will be fully assessing your disabilities so that your needs can be reviewed and evaluated. This will help to plan for now and potential future changes. Everyone is completely different and your local occupational therapist will be able to discuss this with you fully.  Find your local occupational therapists http://www.cotss-ip.org.uk/find

What sort of changes may need to be made to my home for my disability needs?

Once your needs have been assessed, the possible changes to your home can be wide ranging from ensuring your front entrance is wide enough to fit a wheelchair or scooter, installing equipment such as  a stairlift or bath lifts, adding hand rails in relevant places, making hallways and corridors wider, placing visual or hearing aids around the home, to motion sensors in case of a fall and emergency needs.

I need a stairlift or I have an existing one that needs removing

We have been in the stairlift industry for many years and have expert knowledge of makes, models, sizes, fitting, engineering and servicing. Whether you need a curved, straight, want a brand new one or value for money reconditioned, need heavy duty, outdoor or bespoke, we can deal with all stairlift needs. We offer excellent warranties and after sale services. We also offer a recycling service so that if your existing stairlift need changing or taking out, we can do so in an environmentally friendly way and we give 50% to charity.

What do I do now that I know what adaptations I need to make to my home,?

Before you do anything, it is worth finding out if you are entitled to financial help with your home adaptations. Find out more by contacting citizen advice. Or speak to your local social services department at the council. They can arrange for someone to assess your situation and determine what help and funding is at hand.

Our Partnership With Age Concern Birmingham

17th April 2015

We’re celebrating this week as we’ve just partnered with Age Concern Birmingham to provide its customers with affordable and environmentally friendly mobility solutions, while giving money back to the charity.

Following the OTC show last November, we’ve been in discussions with the charity regarding our mobility solutions offering. The charity was inspired by our well-rounded, affordable and environmentally friendly proposition. Not only do we provide a full stairlift and scooter recycling service across the UK, we’re partnered with a large stairlift reconditioners and installers.  We provide a valuable service to the community and the environment by removing, reconditioning and recycling unwanted stairlifts and mobility scooters. In most cases free of charge unless it is more than seven years old. And a large percentage of any money made goes back to Age Concern Birmingham.

Customers of the charity can now take full advantage of stairlift recycling and our affordable mobility products, giving them peace of mind and ensuring they’re making the most of their lifestyle.

Our Recycling Solutions

Our Stairlift and Mobility Scooter Recycling Scheme operates UK wide. We provide a valuable service to the community and the environment by removing, reconditioning and recycling unwanted stairlifts and mobility scooters.  In most cases free of charge.  The only times we would charge is if the stairlift is more than 7 years old. Here we would charge £95 for the stairlift (chairlift) removal.

If you have an unwanted stairlift, by recycling your stairlift or mobility scooter with us you are helping someone in the community.

Why use a recondition stairlift or mobility scooter? 

Our reconditioned and recycled stairlifts and mobility scooters are just as good as new.  They come with a 12 month warranty  and reconditioned products maintain a virtuous circle for the environment and the community.  Re-using the parts protects the environment and any parts that we can’t use are disposed of in a responsible way.

If you’re an Age Concern branch, or a charity and are looking for a partner to help with mobility and recycling solutions, we’d be delighted to speak to you.

For more information on Age Concern Birmingham, visit here 

Come Along To Our Be A Friend Tea Party

11th March 2015

Did you know that over five million older people are affected by loneliness and this is on the rise?

We meet elderly and disabled people on a daily basis and understand how wide spread loneliness is and what an awful effect it can have on people’s lives. As a result we want to help Friends of the Elderly on their campaign to combat the issue. In partnership with A1 Stairlifts and Keighley Cougar’s Rugby Club we’re helping to host a Be A Friend tea party on Wednesday 25 March from 2pm in the lovely new showroom at A1 Stairlifts in Keighley.

Everyone is invited to come along and enjoy the entertainment, free refreshments, cakes and scones – please feel free to bring along your own baking to share with the group. Whether by yourself, with a friend or family member, the tea party is a chance to get out of the house, meet like-minded people, catch up with friends and chat the afternoon away at your leisure.  

We’re also looking for volunteers to Be A Friend for the afternoon and to help out with the event. Contact 0808 178 8487 or email headoffice@a1stairlifts.co.uk for more information.

10% of any sales made on the day will go to Friends of the Elderly charity.

The showroom is based on 56 South Street, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD21 1DD.

Staying Warm In Winter

3rd October 2014

When the weather starts to turn cold, staying warm in winter can prove difficult. This can cause all sorts of health problems and those most vulnerable tend to be the elderly who often are on a low income so can’t afford to heat their home, or those with disabilities.

Keeping warm will help keep colds and flues at bay and more serious health problems such as sleep deprivation, heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression. You may be eligible for an NHS free flu jabs –   to find out more information, click here.