One of the biggest causes for the delay in adaptations is lack of availability of people to implement the alterations- surveyors, contractors. It need not be...

By specifying an AAT S-Max stairclimber aka stair climbing wheelchair, Occupational Therapists can expediate fast, safe techniques that meet the client’s needs, manage their risk, and extend their horizons beyond one level of the home. They can go up, down stairs inside, and up, down steps to access their garden or wider environment.

Crucially, S-Max eliminates the need- and delay- caused by waiting for a surveyor to assess the structure’s capability of supporting the adaptation, and a contractor to install it- inherent with the conventional alternative of a stairlift or through-floor lift. 

Under the control of the carer ⁽¹⁾, the portable, mobile S-Max stair climbing wheelchair unit empowers the client to be smoothly and safely moved between levels and beyond.

S-Max as standard can accommodate almost all staircase designs: narrow, curved, angular flights, and people of all ages, sizes.

The standard S-Max can be fitted to most wheelchairs. Its counterpart S-Max Sella features an integrated seat. Whichever version is prescribed, overall client safety is improved, reducing the number of transfers needed each day. The risk of injury or a fall is reduced.

As the S-Max is not fixed to the stairway, it facilitates movement of the client not just up and down the staircase. It empowers them to easily move to other rooms within the home without an additional transfer.

Thus one unit can be used to solve transfer in multi-storey homes, out into the garden, onto the drive.

Its diversity means additional adaptation works eg ramps could be avoided.

When not in use, it folds compactly away.

Access to and use of the home by other members of the household is not impaired.

“The recent report ‘Finding Ways to Say Yes’⁽²⁾ highlighted that lack of skilled professionals in the adaptation pipeline (such as surveyors, contractors) is a significant contributory factor in delay. Avoid that need and you instantly accelerate the delivery process.

"It makes sense to at least consider alternatives, that are safe, proven, to achieve the same end result. We all know that issues with stairs is one of the most common reasons for adaptation. Specifying an S-Max is therefore a logical route to manage risk, a way to say ‘yes’.”

Peter Wingrave, AAT Director

Since being established two decades ago, AAT has provided thousands of stairclimbers to social housing providers/ local authorities across the country. The equipment has an impeccable safety record. Full details of our S-Max, its service and support in adaptation delivery, can be found on our website www.aatgb.com/s-max/, which includes a quick fill form for a free, no obligation assessment.

References:

(1)AAT provides full training as part of the provision package

(2)https://www.foundations.uk.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/HOUSING-ASSOCIATIONS-AND-HOME-ADAPTATIONS-small.pdf