Wherever possible your stairlift supplier should be able to meet the user of the stairlift before specifying the stairlift.

Stairlift seats and systems do vary between manufacturers. Whilst it is rare that a stairlift is not suitable carrying out a User Assessment is advisable. This allows your supplier to not only double check that the dimensions of the lift are suitable for the user and the location, but it also allows them to specify which side controls should go and to discuss the possibility of adding powered features to make using the stairlift even easier. These may not be needed now but could be of huge benefit in the long term.

Your Minivator supplier will normally wish to conduct a User Assessment at the same time as conducting the Staircase Survey.

During this assessment some measurements may be taken to ensure the stairlift chosen is suitable for the user. There will also be some simple questions to see which would be the best side to place the controls, what sort of seat belt would best suit the users and to ascertain which features would be required now and in the future.

The assessment is non-intrusive and whilst it is preferable that this is conducted in advance the non-availability of the user will not prevent the supply of a stairlift so long as someone will undertake to provide the information on the user's behalf.

Minivator stairlifts are designed to cater for a wide range of abilities and carry a series of adjustments (e.g. seat height) that can be performed during installation to tailor the stairlift to suit the user as required.