Many elderly and handicapped people need a helping hand when climbing a staircase. Allthough they are strong enough they feel insecure. Elderly people who live alone must move to a one-level home or might go for a stairlift. But changing to another address is unwelcomed in many cases and a stairlift is expensive, it does not stimulate movement, and will not be provided for by many governmental home care organisations. And people who essentially do not need a stairlift do not want it. So the choice is: moving or paying.
But not anymore: an affordable stair walking aid is being developed. A clever product that provides people that are still vital with a solid support when climbing stairs.
The product will consist of a dedicated rail with an easy-gliding horizontal bar construction including hand-operated brakes. Compared to competitive products this stair aid is not restricted to linear stairs but can cope with curves. The handle-bar height can be switched into descending and ascending position. It is being developed by a consortium with Mecon engineering and the Dwarswerk foundation.