THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 15, 2019 Page 19 S by Jim Miller How to Choose a Good Home Stair Lift Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good stair lift companies? I have a difficult time getting up and down the stairs anymore and am interested in purchasing a stair lift for my house but could use some help choosing one. Arthritic Ann Dear Ann, A good home stair lift is an excellent solution for those with mobility challenges who have trouble with steps. A stair lift will carry you up and down the stairs in a safe seated position, providing easy access to the second story or basement level of your home. 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 that make them. Types of Lifts 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 flight of stairs uninterrupted by landings, bends or curves, and costs between $2,500 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. You also need to know that all stair lifts mount to the stair treads, not to the wall, so they are very sturdy and can be installed in almost any home. 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, find out about raising the seat height during 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, breaking 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. Depending on the company, you may also have the option of choosing between an electric (AC) and a battery powered (DC) stair lift. Battery powered units charge at the base station (some recharge anywhere on the track) are quieter, smoother and better than electric lifts, and will work even if there’s a power failure in the home. Where to Shop While there are many companies that make and sell stair lifts, two of the best, based on reputation and customer satisfaction ratings, are Bruno (Bruno.com, 800-454-4355) and Stannah (Stannah-Stairlifts.com, 888-465-7652). Unfortunately, original Medicare does not cover stair lifts nor do Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policies, but some Medicare Advantage plans may help pay. There are also many states that offer Medicaid waivers that will pay for lifts to those that qualify, and the VA offers cash grants to veterans with disabilities for home safety improvements. 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 offer financing programs too. To get started, contact some 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 “The Savvy Senior” book. R.I.P. K9 BRUIN | from page 2 because he was quite a ham. A lot of kids got to see him. With over 250 visits to the schools through the course of his career -- not only in Saugus -- a lot of what he did was in the schools,” he said. The Saugus Police Patrol Officer’s Union paid tribute to Bruin and expressed members’ gratitude to the public in a press release it issued Wednesday to announce the details of “One Final Ride” for Bruin. “The Saugus Police Department and the Saugus Police Patrol Officers Union are forever thankful for the outreach and show of support that the community has shown to K9 Bruin, the Fawcett Family and our Members,” the press release said. “Please keep the Fawcett family in your thoughts and prayers over the next few days.” SOUNDS | from page 17 sounds appealing to you or worth a try, mark down these dates to show up in the Community Room at the Saugus Public Library: Wednesday, March 20 at 1:00 p.m.; and Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. Homework helpers at the library The Saugus Public Library is again partnering to offer free, drop-in tutoring and homework help twice a week to the town’s elementary school students to help foster strong academic and study skills outside of school hours. Members of the Junior National Honor Society from the Belmonte Middle School will work with students in the library’s Community Room on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3 to 5 p.m. Under the program, which has received rave reviews in town, the elementary school students get help while the Belmonte students get credits for community service. No registration is required, but students must be signed in/out by a parent or guardian. The parent or guardian must remain on library grounds while the student is receiving homework assistance pursuant to an unaccompanied minors policy. This program is open to students in grades K-5. The subjects students can get help with include math, science, grammar, reading, social studies and geography. Hey parents, here’s some help if your child needs it. SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 20 As the longtime K-9 Officer, Tim Fawcett was Bruin’s chief handler and housed him at his family home. Bruin attended training with his partner, Officer Timothy Fawcett, and was a certified patrol K-9. Bruin was also certified and trained to detect narcotics. STUDENTS EMBRACE K9 BRUIN: Students of the Oaklandvale Elementary School line Main Street to say goodbye to the ailing Saugus Police Department K9 dog on his final ride yesterday. They also made signs and tribute cards for the occasion. (Courtesy Photos by Michael A. Smith to The Saugus Advocate) ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT PROBATE AND FAMILY COURT Essex Probate and Family Court 36 Federal Street Salem, MA. 01970 Docket No. ES19P0727GD In the Interests of: Anastasia Elizabeth Hudson of Saugus, MA Minor NOTICE AND ORDER: Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES 1. Hearing Date/Time: A hearing on a Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor filed on 03/13/2019 by Lisa A. Hudson of Saugus, MA will be held 04/08/2019 10:30 AM Guardianship of Minor Hearing located 36 Federal Street, Salem MA 01970. 2. Response to Petition: You may respond by filing a written response to the Petition or by appearing in person at the hearing. If you choose to file a written response, you need to: File the original with the Court; and Mail a copy to all interested parties at least five (5) business days before the hearing. 3. Counsel for the Minor: The minor (or an adult on behalf of the minor) has the right to request that counsel be appointed for the minor. 4. Counsel for Parents: If you are a parent of the minor child who is the subject of this proceeding you have the right to be represented by an attorney. If you want an attorney and cannot afford to pay for one and if you give proof that you are indigent, an attorney will be assigned to you. Your request for an attorney should be made immediately by filling out the Application of Appointment of Counsel form. Submit the application form in person or by mail at the court location where your case is going to be heard. 5. Presence of the Minor at Hearing: A minor over age 14 has the right to be present at any hearing, unless the court finds that it is not in the minor’s best interests. THIS IS A LEGAL NOTICE: An important court proceeding that may affect your rights has been scheduled. If you do not understand this notice or other court papers, please contact an attorney for legal advice. Date: March 13, 2019 Pamela Casey O’Brien REGISTER OF PROBATE March 15, 2019
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