I live on the third floor of a low-rise block of flats with no lift. To get to and from my flat involves 4 sets of 7 stairs. They’re well-maintained and have a good banister and I can cope with them at present, but I wonder if I’ll have problems as my PD worsens. Because of the stairs not being one continuous staircase a stairlift would be impossible even if a) I could afford it and b) my landlord would allow it. How have others found dealing with stairs ?
Hello Carlotta … I moved to a 1 bed ground floor flat. Best move I’ve made in a while.
I could not manage stairs with Parkinson’s. When I played golf a couple of years ago
I found myself having to climb stairs for the meal. It was not easy. I have had a few falls of late which would have been a disaster had I been going downstairs at the time.
Best wishes
Steve2
PS … Having given it a bit more thought. Not knowing your age. I really think you need to move to either a ground floor flat, a bungalow or as my last choice a flat with a lift.
I would agree with Steve, my dad also had to move out to a place with a lift. He was okay with the block of flats at initial diagnosis and for a while after but it got too much and unsafe. If i have to go anywhere with him now, i dread stairs. You need coordination and especially going down you need all your glutes, hip flexors, knees and calves working properly to keep you from falling over. There is also a fire safety aspect. Perhaps your landlord has other properties or if someone one in a ground floor moved out, you could move to that one?
Hello Carlotta
I would agree with Steve2 and TheLippyOne in principle that the simplest solution would be to move to ground floor acommodation - I have assumed from how you write that you are in privated rented property, and you are correct that your landlord would need to agree to any adaptations being made However it may not be impossible in the way it may seem to you but is obviously not straightfoward. The building regulations include aspects such as making properties accessible to all tenants including those with a disability. I am not sure where your landlord stands legally on this, in theory he would be expected to make adjustments to his/her property to ensure all his tenants can access his property safely.
Also a stairlift is not the only option. Something like a platform lift may solve the problem -
WILL A PLATFORM LIFT WORK IN YOUR FLATS PROJECT?
Platform lifts for flats are a low cost, versatile and low maintenance option which work in many blocks of flats and shared residences. Under Building Regulations Part M (which discusses lifts and access), a full conventional passenger lift is the normal initial consideration – but a platform lift can be considered when:
- The number of floors is low (up to 6)
- Usage is low to medium (around 20 people expected to be using the lift)
- An ‘ambulant disabled stair’ is also provided
Platform lifts are great for where budget or space is limited as they are much more cost effective and space saving than a conventional passenger lift. Remember, always get advice from your lift provider and building control regarding the suitability of the lift you choose.
Also you may be able to get help with funding any adaptation to enable you to manage the stairs safely.
The reason I mention this is because there may be any number of reasons why you may not be in a position to move even if you agreed that moving would be the obvious solution.
As you are currently managing the stairs you have got time on your side and you may feel it is worthwhile to clarify your legal standing and what your options may be potentially be… Citizen’s Advice may be able to help, also raise a referral with your local adult care services at your local county council - an occupational therapist would be able to offer a view of what in principle may be possible, funding, processes etc. It may also be worth contacting your local authority housing department to ascertain how they may be able to assist. At some point if you are on good terms with your landlord maybe you could get his/her informal view.
I appreciate that this may all seem a bit daunting at the moment but all you are doing is searching out information so that you know where you stand and what your options are if you are not able or don’t wish to move and also give the opportunity to maybe consider moving.
Finally I would just make the point that many people assume people with Parkinson’s will have problems managing stairs but many do manage perfectly well. You mentioned that your stairs are well maintained and have a good bannister so as long as you take care, you may well be able to continue managing for some time.
Tot
Hello Carlotta … I think Tot forgot to mention abseiling down the outside of the building as an option.
Being serious maybe have a word with your local PCN team, to see whether they can help.
Hi Carlotta, I don’t have much advice except to say if you can cope with them at present keep going and consider it as part of your exercise regime.
We all know exercise is key and at present you have a good reason to keep this as a form of routine exercise. Just be sure you give yourself time to take the stairs at your own pace so that you never feel hurried.
I don’t think it’s that Carlotta can’t climb the stairs, the problem is
that she is likely to fall down them.
6 months ago I had not had a fall, I am now waiting for fall number 5.
Best wishes
Steve2
Hello All
The fact is there are no easy answers to any issues we face and solutions that will suit one won’t suit another. Also there is only so much you can do to minimise risk, you can never eradicate it completely. I would agree with Hemyock - as long as Carlotta takes the stairs at her pace and gives going up and down stairs her full attention that’s as much as she can do and will probably be able to manage for some time if not indefinitely. On the other hand her situation could potentially be very complex if, for whatever reason the stairs become a problem (and that reason does not necessarily have anything to do with Parkinsons as it does not in itself make you immune from anything else life may have in store for you), it could be argued there is some mileage in giving it some thought even if you take no action for now.
Abseiling is an interesting idea Steve2 but personally I think I will stick to doing the stairs - or in my case the steps from the road up to my flat which is on the ground floor - it’s just not at street level lol
Tot
AssiStep and StairSteady are products which enable you to use stairs as normal but provide a bar in front of you to pull up on and to keep you balanced when going up - and hold onto in front of you for security when stepping down. This support tends to suit users with Parkinsons who feel unsteady, but who still have the power and range of movement to negotiate stairs on foot. (I’m a retired O.T.!). The support folds to the side so others using the stairs are not obstructed.
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