A1 Stairlifts Latest News and Info

Top tips on staying warm in winter

24th September 2014

Staying warm in winter can prove difficult, causing all sorts of health problems – especially for the elderly who often are on a low income so can’t afford to heat their home, and those with disabilities.

With the colder months approaching, staying warm can hold off nasty colds and flues and more serious health problems such as sleep deprivation, heart attacks, pneumonia and depression.

The NHS offers free flu jabs – to find if you’re eligible or for more information, click here.

A1 Stairlifts Calling Golfers For Charity Golf Day

20th August 2014

A1 Stairlifts is sponsoring a charity golf day in association with MJK Sports Events and is calling for teams to join in to help raise funds for Community  Cougars Foundation! The event is teeing off on Thursday 18 September at Keighley Golf Club in West Yorkshire.

The day starts with soup and sandwiches served 12-12:30pm with a 1:30 shot gun start. Teams of 4 with 2 to count.

The event will be topped off with a two-course meal followed by a talk from rugby league legend Garry Schofield OBE, comedian, mini auction and raffle.

Picture from The Sun.

There’s already been huge amount of interest so there is limited places left – don’t miss out!

Community Cougars Foundation aims to utilise the ower of sport to inspire, educate and motivate the community within Keighley and Craven. Working with partners such as Bradford City Council, Keighley Town Council, Sport England, the Primary Care Trusts, Education Bradford, the Police and key sponsors to develop an innovative and progressive programme.

The Community Cougars Foundation, based in Keighley West Yorkshire, focuses on four pillars of activity; sport and physical activity, health, education – literacy and numeracy, social inclusion/community cohesion working with around 11,000 young people every year.

Disability allowance to fund your mobility needs

15th August 2014

If you have mobility difficulties or a disability, you may be able to getting help to fund your mobility equipment.

If you’re over 16, you need to apply for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) which is gradually replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people aged between 16-64 with long term health or disability conditions. You can use the gov.uk checker to see how this effects you.

Disability allowance is a tax free benefit and when it comes to mobility, it’s split between below:

PIP is awarded based on your mobility and care needs, not on what conditions or illnesses you’re diagnosed with. Which makes sense as not everyone is affected in the same way or has the same level or severity of a condition. So it would be hard to suggest just because someone else with The same condition was awarded it then everyone else will be to if you understand what I mean. 

From what I’ve read the assessments done by Capita seem to be fairly comprehensively done and give fair results. Now you’ve been assessed unfortunately you’ll probably just have to wait until you get your decision , and I think it can be a few weeks before that happens and longer if the DWP ask for any further clarification on the assessment.

Are you eligible?

Adults can claim PIP  if your disability or condition means one or both of the following relate to you:

• you need help looking after yourself
• you have walking difficulties

There is also a care component to be considered which you may be eligible if:

• You need help with things like washing, dressing, eating, using the toilet or communicating your needs
• You supervision to avoid putting yourself or others in danger
• You need someone with you when you’re on dialysis
• You can’t prepare a cooked main meal

This can claim for this if no one is giving you the care you need, or you live by yourself.

When it comes to mobility needs, you may be entitled to this part of DLA/PIP if, when using your normal aid, you:

• can’t walk
• can only walk a short distance without severe discomfort
• could become very ill if you try to walk

You might also get it if you:

• have no feet or legs
• are assessed as 100% blind and at least 80% deaf and you need someone with you when outdoors
• are severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and get the highest rate of care for DLA
• need supervision most of the time when walking outdoors
• are certified as severely sight impaired and you were aged between 3 and 64 on 11 April 2011

To determine whether or not you’re eligable for allowance to help and support your needs, you may be assessed to check what level of help you need.

For more information on all of the above and for expert advice, see gov.uk website.

Explore your Freedom – Combatting Loneliness

8th August 2014

We have recently started an  Explore Your Freedom advertising campaign in the Yorkshire Post’s weekend magazine. The reason being is that we’re passionate about encouraging and helping the elderly and disabled to enjoy their surroundings and live as full a life as possible.

A report was recently released by Friends of the Elderly looking at the landscape for loneliness amongst older people, in the next 5, 10 and 15 years (see full report here).    The key facts they found were:

• Over five million older people in the UK are affected by loneliness, with more than a million saying they often feel lonely.
• Being older is a crucial predictor of loneliness – demographic change alone will drive up the number of lonely older people in the UK by 40 per cent in the next 15 years.
• There is a strong connection between low contact with family members and loneliness – contact with children is especially important. 
• There is a strong link between having low levels of income and being lonely – older people in poverty suffer lower frequency of social contacts.
• Technology has the potential to make a positive impact on loneliness, but by 2030 10 per cent of older people will still not have a mobile phone or use the internet.

Friends of the Elderly are encouraging everyone to Be a Friend as everyday interactions have been proven to combat loneliness. We’re fully supportive of this campaign and that’s also a reason for our advertising campaign, because we want the less abled to be able to explore their freedom. We have a wide range of mobility products to support various needs. We specialise in reconditioned stairlifts which offer value for money for those that can’t afford or don’t need a brand new one. Find out more here.

If you want to discuss further, join us on Twitter @A1Stairlifts1 or Facebook .

Yorkshire Day

1st August 2014

Happy Yorkshire Day everyone!

As a Keighley-based business, for us it’s a day to be proud of! From a good cup of Yorkshire tea or a quality pint of Timothy Taylor’s, to the beautiful countryside, to a good Sunday roast with Yorkshire puddings, to the friendly people, there’s plenty of reasons to love the place. Not to mention, Yorkshire being internationally praised for its beauty following Le Grand Depart in July.

As an independent stairlift supplier with 23 years experience selling and servicing stairlifts, being based in Yorkshire is key to our business. The region is renowned in the industry with some of the leading manufacturers also being based here and being independent, we supply some of these top models.

In the past two years we have added to our experience by merging with two other top Yorkshire mobility suppliers, Easystair Stairlifts and Complete Stairlifts.

But being typical Yorkshire people, we like good banter as much as the next guy, which is why our showroom is open to all who want to come test out a stairlift, mobility scooter, rise and recline chair, adjustable bed and many more of our products before buying. There’ll be a friendly face waiting and a good cup of tea if you want! When it comes to our customer service phone line, we have a small knowledgeable team in the office who will deal with any enquiries so you have peace of mind that you won’t have to deal with any call centres.

We’re also very keen on supporting our local area and being big rugby league fans, we’re proud to sponsor local club Keighley Cougars. We’re passionate about the development of the local community and club plays an integral part in this. 

Danny, Simon and Bob have a laugh with the Keighley Cougars mascot in the showroom

For now, here’s some pictures of why Yorkshire is such a great place to be!

Heatwave! How to stay cool….

16th July 2014

It’s not often the UK gets a nice hot summer but it seems this year we’re being treated to warmer weather for longer. With hotter climes to come, apparently.

Not that we should be complaining, but sometimes the heat can get a bit too much. We’ve put some top tips together on keeping cool while the heat is on so that you can enjoy it….

• Make sure your heating is completely turned off (and isn’t set on a timer without you realising)
• Try not to spend too long outside during the middle of the day (12-4) as this is the hottest time of the day. If you need to go somewhere, try setting off in the morning.
• Drink lots of water! Stock your fridge up with cold bottles of water and if you’re heading somewhere, take one with you.
• Avoid doing anything too strenuous – try and do housework and gardening in the morning or early evening while it’s cooler.
• Keep your blinds or curtains closed during the day to keep the heat of the sun out.
• Invest in an electric fan and keep it near you.
• Wear loose, light-coloured clothing. Cotton or linen are usually the best materials for hotter weather.
• If you just can’t seem to cool down, try taking a cold bath or shower. This is a great tip before bed as it’ll bring your temperature down and help you drift off to sleep.
• Try not to have big heavy meals, especially with lots of salt in. 
• Make sure you keep in contact with relatives, friends or neighbours to let them know you’re ok. If you know someone lives by them self, keep in touch with them. Even if it’s a quick phone call or text.
• If you know a heatwave is on its way, speak to your GP beforehand if you’re worried about any health issues that the heat might affect such as breathing problems or heart condition.

A1 raises £1524 for charity at Le Tour Yorkshire Event

11th July 2014

We’d like to say a BIG thank you to everyone who made our Le Tour Yorkshire event a huge success last week, raising a massive £1,524 for charity.

The money has been split between two local causes with £762 going to each one. The first is A Walk for Estelle – a grueling annual event where a team walk 127 miles along the Leeds & Liverpool canal to raise funds to help find a cure for Rett Syndrome, a condition which Estelle suffers.  The event ends tomorrow and anyone can join them as they head to the finishing line in Leeds. Or if you want to donate, you can do so here: http://www.justgiving.com/teams/awalkforestelle2014 

The other £762 went to Diane Sugden who is trekking the Himalayas in aid of Sue Ryder Manorlands hospice. She starts on 8 November.  There’s is more information on the event here  and if you wish to donate, please click here

Over 200 people joined us throughout the day to enjoy local band You Had Me At Hello, BBQ, bar, bouncy castle, face painting and a big slide. We had lots of pics posting on Facebook, but if you have some, send them in to headoffice@a1stairlifts.co.uk or post on our facebook here or @A1Stairlifts1 on Twitter.

Seen the Keighley Cougar taxis yet?

2nd July 2014

Seen the Keighley Cougar taxis yet?

If you see one, send us a pic and be entered into a draw for two free executive suite places at any Cougars home game this season.

Email it to headoffice@a1stairlifts.co.uk or,

post it to @A1Stairlifts1 or https://www.facebook.com/A1Stairlifts

Thanks to…

2nd July 2014

Ahead of our event on Sunday we’d like to thank the following:

CFBS  for supplying us with drinks

ABV Wholesalers for supplying drinks

L&S Prints  for supplying the flags

Steve Thorpe and Sons Gardening for providing flowers

Keighley Cougars  for supplying the table and chairs

Vicki Harrison  organiser

The Globe Inn for their help and advice

Make sure you don’t miss it! View the Tour de France when it comes through Keighley from our top viewing spot on its large forecourt and enjoy great entertainment and a family fun day all in aid of charity. Free entry 9am until 4pm on Sunday 6th July.

On the forecourt, we have up-and-coming pop punk quartet You Had Me At Hello, from Keighley – who were recently featured in top UK music mag Kerrang –  performing alongside a BBQ, drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic), bouncy castle, face painting, tombola, hook a duck and much more.

See you there!

A sample of what’s to come on Sunday! Don’t miss it

2nd July 2014

You Had Me At Hello:

This World Forgot To Save Us