Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 22, 2023 avavvyvy avvy S iorn oreniioor a avvy iori by Jim Miller Best Stair Lifts of 2023 Dear Savvy Senior, Because of chronic arthritis, I have a very diffi cult time going up and down stairs anymore and am interested in purchasing a stair lift for my two-story house. Can you recommend some good companies? Arthritic Andy Dear Andy, Yes, of course! A good home stair lift is a great mobility solution for anyone who is unable, or has a diffi cult time climbing stairs. To help you choose a quality stair lift that meets your needs and budget, here are a few shopping tips along with some top-rated companies. What to Know There are two basic types of stair lifts that are sold today: straight and curved. The type you need will depend upon the design of your staircase. A straight stair lift is one that travels in a straight line up a fl ight of stairs uninterrupted by landings, bends or curves, and costs anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 installed. Curved lifts, however, are much more elaborate and will go around corners, bends and changes in direction. Curved lifts are also much more expensive, typically running between $8,500 and $15,000 or more depending on the complexity of the installation. Most stair lifts available today also have seats, armrests and footplates that fold up out of the way, and swivel seats that make getting into and out of the chair easier. They also come with standard safety features like seatbelts, braking systems and footrest sensors, push-button or rocker-switch controls located on the armrest for easy operation, and “call send” controls which allow you to call or send the unit to the other end of the stairs. Make sure the lift you choose has all these features. If you are a large person, you may need to get a heavy-duty lift with a wider seat and bigger lifting capacity – all companies offer them. Or, if you’re tall, fi nd out about raising the seat height during installation. Depending on the company, you may also have the option of choosing between an electric (AC) and a battery powered (DC) stair lift. Electric stair lifts are simpler and cheaper than battery powered units, but if your home loses power so does your lift. While battery powered lifts work even if there’s a power failure. Best Stair Lifts To help you choose a great stair lift the National Council on Aging, which is a national nonprofi t organization that advocates for older Americans, put together a review team to research the diff erent companies. Their list of best stair lifts of 2023 includes: • Editor’s Pick: Bruno (bruno.com) • Most Aff ordable: AmeriGlide (ameriglide.com) • Best Customer Reviews: Acorn (acornstairlifts.com) • Most Supportive Design: Harmar (harmar.com) • Most Adaptable to the Home: Access BDD (accessbdd.com) • Best for Arthritis: Stannah (stannah-stairlifts.com) See NCOA.org/adviser/stair-lifts/best-stair-lifts to read their detailed reviews. Financial Help Unfortunately, health insurance including original Medicare does not cover home stair lifts, but some Medicare Advantage plans may help pay. Or, if you have long-term care insurance it too may cover a portion of the costs. If you qualify for Medicaid, many states off er waivers that may help pay for a lift, and the VA has several grant and benefi t programs that may off er assistance too if you’re a veteran. To save some money, you may want to consider purchasing a used or refurbished model. Or, if you need a stair lift for only a short period of time, consider renting one. Most companies offer these options, and many off er fi nancings too. To get started, contact some of the previously listed stair lift companies who will put you in touch with a dealer in your area. All dealers provide free in-home assessments and estimates and can help you choose an appropriate lift. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “Th e Savvy Senior” book. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net ~ Legal Notice ~ Invitation for Bid Malden Housing Authority (MHA) 630 Salem Street, Malden, MA 02148 MHA #090623 Maintenance Services, Equipment Upgrades, Repairs, Design and New Installations for Elevators, Contract Documents will be available by email request at efahey@maldenhousing.org after 10:00 a.m., on September 27, 2023. Bid Opening Date and Time: November 8, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. Bids must be received and time stamped at the MHA, before this date and time to be considered. Estimated cost per year including service and repair is $70,000.00 to_$75,000.00_. The MHA will enter into a one (1) year agreement with the option to extend the contract for an additional four one (1) year terms at the sole discretion of the MHA. Category of work for which the general bidder must be certified: Elevator. The Malden Housing Authority (MHA) is requesting bids to provide all travel, labor, materials, tools and equipment necessary for the complete and satisfactory performance of the following: Furnish all travel, materials, labor, supplies, test equipment, tools, parts and any other items required to provide full preventive and routine maintenance services and labor necessary to test and inspect the operation of all ten (10) elevators, and two (2) LULA at six (6) sites in Malden, MA. Wages are subject to minimum wage rates determined by the Secretary of the United States Department of Labor. A 5% certified check, letter of credit or bond, payable to the Malden Housing Authority, must accompany each bid. A 50% Labor and Materials and 50% Performance Bond totaling 100% of the total contract amount, shall be required from the successful bidder. Surety bonds will only be accepted by surety companies licensed by the division of insurance to transact business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Additionally, the bidder must provide proof of specific insurance as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and federal laws. The MHA will evaluate bids in response to this solicitation without discussions and will award a contract to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to the MHA considering price, qualifications and past performance documenting that the bidder possesses the skill, ability, and integrity necessary to faithfully perform the work called for by the Contract, based upon a determination of competent workmanship and financial soundness in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 149, §44D (see M.G.L. c. 149, §44A(1)) and eligibility (able to meet all requirements for Bidders set forth in M.G.L. c. 149, §§44A-H and not debarred from bidding under §44C or any other applicable Commonwealth or Federal law, and who shall certify that it is able to furnish labor that can work in harmony with all other elements of labor employed or to be employed on the work-see M.G.L. c. 149, §44A(1). The criteria for determining the most advantageous bidder is included in the instructions to Bidders as part of the solicitation package. Bidders requesting that Contract Documents be mailed to them shall include a separate treasurer’s or cashier’s check in the amount of $45.00 for each set, payable to the Malden Housing Authority, to cover mailing and handling costs. All bids must be signed and dated; if a joint venture is submitting the bid, each joint venturer must sign the bid. Late bids will be handled in accordance with Instructions to Bidders for Contracts. A site visit for all bidders has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m., October 3, 2023. The site visit will begin in the library of the MHA Central Office located at 630 Salem Street, Malden, MA 02148. All bidders are strongly encouraged to attend the site visit. No questions will be answered unless received written by the MHA at least fifteen (15) days prior to the bid closing date and time. The MHA reserves the right to waive any informality in and to reject any or all bids if it is in the MHA’s and the public interest to do so. September 22, 2023 INSPECTIONAL SERVICES 215 Pleasant Street, Room 330 Malden, Massachusetts 02148 (781) 397-7000 ext. 2044 City of Malden Massachusetts MALDEN PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Planning Board will hold a public hearing in the Herbert L. Jackson Council Chamber, Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 on the petition of ACDC 213 Main LLC, in Permit Application # CMID 061492-2023, seeking a special permit under Title 12, Chapter 28, Section 130; Chapter 28, Section 010(D); and Chapter 12, Section 300 of the Code of the City of Malden, to allow ledge removal and alteration of grade; to allow multifamily residential dwelling use, up to three stories inclusive, of property in the Residence A zoning district, and an Inclusionary Development, namely, to construct a building with three stories and a total of twenty (20) Affordable Housing Units, at the property known as and numbered, 211-213 Main Street, Malden and by City Assessor’s Parcel ID# 077 375 503. Petition and plans are available for public review in Malden City Hall, Inspectional Services Department, Room 330, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA and on the City website under Permit Application #CMID 0614922023 at https://maldenma-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/SelfService#/home By: Diane M. Chuha Clerk September 22, 29, 2023
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