Stair climber for wheelchair users – Compare costs & prices

Stair climbers can transport loads safely up or down stairs through a special wheel or caterpillar system. Compared to permanently installed stair lifts, they are much cheaper and can be transported without much effort..

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The topic of accessibility is becoming increasingly important in today’s world – not least because of the steadily aging population. However, there are still very many public institutions and private households that are not able to create a barrier-free environment for a variety of reasons. This may be due to a staircase that is too winding and too steep, or it may fail for cost reasons.

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But what options are there to support people with limited mobility. In addition to stairlifts and lifting platforms can of course also a elevator remedy, but all these solutions are usually associated with very high costs and structural changes. An extremely practical and also inexpensive alternative is a stair climber.

These are mobile devices that are frequently used by wheelchair users to overcome a wide variety of hurdles. The handy means of transport has a special wheel system, with which stairs can be overcome without much effort – both up and down. A stair climber is particularly suitable for wheelchair users, but can also be used for people with walking difficulties and older people who are no longer able to climb stairs independently. Another advantage of a stair climber over permanently installed stair lifts is the almost unrestricted transportability of the device. In addition, no changes to the building structure are necessary. However, another person must always be present to use a stair climber.

How does a stair climber work?

A stair climber is primarily a transportation device for people with limited mobility. It has a special wheel system, often called a caterpillar system, because it consists of several wheels of different sizes. The special arrangement of these wheels allows the mobility-impaired person to be transported up or down the stairs without much effort, even on inclines of up to 70 percent.

Stair climbers offer a support aid that is located underneath the device and ensures load compensation during transport. Thus, there is no danger of the stair climber slipping off the stair step at any time. These devices are available in various model designs that can be used for different purposes. For transporting a wheelchair user, the most suitable is a stair climber that can be attached directly to the backrest of the wheelchair.

For mobility-impaired people who are not dependent on a wheelchair, stair climbers with a permanently installed seat are used. In most cases, this seat is height-adjustable and provides secure support at all times thanks to armrests and footrests. Above the headrest is a handle system that allows the attendant to hold and move the stair climber. The handles are made of non-slip rubber that prevents hands from slipping. Likewise, stair climbers have a small electric motor that acts as an additional power booster. To drive this motor, a powerful battery is usually used.

Advantages of a stair climber

A stair climber offers many advantages over a stair lift or hoist. For one thing, it does not have to be permanently installed, so no remodeling work needs to be done in or on the house.

For another, it is very easy to transport, as most models can be folded. In addition, due to its design, a stair climber does not have a high own weight (usually between 20 and 70 kilograms) and can therefore be easily operated and transported even by older people.

Stair climbers can be used without a permit. This means that you can buy and use such a device at any time without having to pay attention to legal regulations. Likewise, mobile stair climbing aids can be attached to almost any commercially available wheelchair. The assembly is very simple and implemented within a few minutes. Furthermore, a stair climber can be used not only indoors but likewise outdoors. The devices are extremely robust and also waterproof. Another advantage is the price.

Stair climbers cost, depending on the model and equipment, significantly less than a stair lift and are often subsidized by health insurance or social assistance. The operation of a stair climber is self-explanatory and the handling can be learned within a very short time. The devices can be used on almost all stairs – even very steep, winding or narrow staircases. However, the stair width should be at least 70 centimeters.

Prices and alternatives to buying new

The price of a stair climber depends on several factors. Therefore, the cost of such a device can only be determined approximately. On average, mobile climbing aids cost between 1,000 and several thousand €. Here it depends on whether the device is equipped with a seat and must offer additional functions. In any case, it is worth comparing the different manufacturers, as prices vary greatly.

Practically, more and more manufacturers now also offer stair climbers for rent. This amounts on average to about 100 € per month. The advantage here is that you can return the stair climber at any time without loss of value. Another possibility to reduce the price to an acceptable level is the purchase of a used stair climber. While stairlifts or hoists are rarely offered second-hand due to their individual construction, this problem is extremely rare with stair climbers.

You can buy a used stair climbing aid for as little as a few hundred € at eBay classifieds. Here you should make sure that the device is in perfect condition and that a warranty is guaranteed. The latter is often not given in private sales. For this reason, it is recommended to buy a used stair climber rather from a commercial dealer. This guarantees the safety of the device through regular maintenance and is also obliged to offer a warranty for general overhauled devices.

Funding by health insurance companies

Stair climbers are listed in the official aids directory of the statutory health insurance funds. Their purchase is therefore also subsidized. However, in some cases, the health insurance company may also refuse to cover the costs. Since the health insurance companies examine each financing request individually, it is not possible to make a blanket statement in advance as to whether the costs will actually be covered. For this reason, it is advisable to contact your own health insurance company before purchasing a stair climber. Often, in addition to a medical certificate, a cost estimate must also be submitted. This should also be sent to the insurance company before the purchase.

After the health insurance company has examined the case individually and approved a subsidy, you can usually expect cost absorption of up to 4,000 €. In some cases, the costs for the purchase are also covered by the responsible social welfare agency. Here, too, both a certificate from the attending physician and a cost estimate are required. Furthermore, the applicant must be registered as a social welfare recipient. To avoid unnecessary complications already at the time of application, one should inform oneself in advance with the responsible employee of the social welfare office about the exact procedure.

Technical specifications of an average stair climber

The technical specifications of individual models vary greatly. For this reason, we list below the average values of stair climbers without special optional equipment. A stair climber can usually be loaded with a person weight of 120 kg to 165 kg. This limitation is due to the fact that the built-in electric motor can only work without restrictions up to a certain load point, thus guaranteeing unrestricted safety. The motor normally offers a power of up to 275 watts and is powered by one or two accumulators. Depending on the setting and power, a stair climber reaches a climbing speed of 8 to 23 steps per minute. Thanks to the special lightweight construction, the stair climbers weigh only about 20 to 70 kilograms.