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14 -Te Canadien Champion, Fndcay, January 30,1998, Riding the stairs preserves independence When walklng upstairs is one challenge too many, the answer may be to ride an easy-to-install lift By Howard V. Walker When advancing years or infir- mity make that flight of stairs to the second-floor bedroom one challenge too many, some obvious options spning to mmnd: move to a bungalow, build a ground-level bedroom and bathroom or instaîl a stair lift or possibly an elevator. As the majority of Canadian seniors live in single detached houses - 60 per cent according to Sfatistics Canada - these are choices many readers are facîng ,or will face in the near future. Equally well-established is the desire to live independent, produc- tive lives for as long as possible in *HERITAGE OS Comfortable Retirement Living peial Secial Feaure eture8 e Datle *Fine Dining Homekeeping UFîllActivities . Personal Laundry Service *Long &shr-terni accommodations *2-ornursing assistance available Country Setting, 2113 Gordon Street in Guelph (519) 822-2006 familiar surroundings. The family home is invested with memories; moving can be both traumnafic and costly. Substanfial expense is involved, also, in the con- struction of ground-floor facilifies. The sfairway lift or glide has been around for a long timne, although today's ver- sion is greatly improved over the one Charles Laughton's irascible charac- ter rode in thaf memorable scene f rom the movie clas- sic Witness for the Prosecution . The two basic models provide vertical means of access for users in a seafed position on the unit or on a platform in their wheelchair. They glide on a steel l-beam track bolted direcfly f0 the stair f read, on top of the car- pet or other floor finish. Total projection into the stair width averages only 30 cm. Tracks can be designed to make turns at landings or for curving runs. Installation is normally simple and quickly accom- plished. Conveniently, stan- dard household electric cur- rent is quite adequate. Features include user- friendly fingertip pressure controls, plus remote "catI" and "send" controls for use by others if arthritic or physi- cal condition prevents self- operation. Dorothy Walton of Ottawa finds her lift "wonderful and easy - if has given me total independence in my own home." Her husband is also grateful, both for the benefit to his wife following her stroke and for the reduced demands now placed upon him. n fhe same city, artist John Balî's single-storey house has steps in the entrance leadîng up to floor level; he has severe spinal problems. Para Transpo brings him from hospital to front door in his wheelchair. Installation of a platform lift (recessed in the floor when inactive) now provides a comfortable transition between the fwo levels. The fax-exempt cost of these access stair lifts ranges from $3,500 to $4,500 for straight flights, according f0 style and finish. Reconditioned units are less expensive: $2,500 to $3,000. Stair plafform lifts begin at $7.000. Ail come with warranties, usually one year for parts and labour. PREUMISE E NS INCLUDES: V FRAME V Sigle Vision Lenses E T Vsectch Coat V 1 ear Frome Warrant 15 Martin St Whte he Govirn*e Ha in Store Fori KWIl Sen1ior?1[O CEMETERY PROPERTY COS 1 Burial Space $975 = $2345 monthly 1 Cremnation Space $540 = $13 monthly (For Two) For further Details Cali Today or Visit Our New Administration Office Located On-site Counsellor on Duty: Mon-Fni., 9-4:30; Sat., 10-3 4~HALTON HIS MEMORIAL GARDENS PLANNING TODAY FOR TOMORROW 3353 Guelph Lino (1 km north of Hwy 5, Burlinaton) 332-5545 McKersie.-Ko cher Funeral Home Serviýngfami(ies in t&e Miton area since 1.953 Andrew Kocher Caroline Kocher Dous Kocher Director Director Director OUR FAMILY SERVING YOURS McKersie-Kocher Funeral Home staff are proud of the professional, caring and quality services that we are able to provide to our families. Pre-arranging a funeral is one of the most important and wisest service we provide. You are able to decide and discuss the type of funeral service that will bc meaningfiil to your family. Pre-arranging is donc for the well being of your family and will be of great value to loved ones at the time a death occurs. So please protect your family from having to make emotional decisions at such a time when they should be sharing memories of your life lived. 114 Main Street, Milton (905)878-4452 Cili'l'iage Square 476-0556