How stairs became a challenge
Richard and his wife, Dorothy, had lived in the bayside suburb of Port Melbourne, Victoria, for 25 years when they began to feel anxious about the stairs in their home.
Overlooking trees on a quiet residential street, the couple’s two-storey corner terrace was a short stroll from the local Bunnings — not to mention the popular beaches along Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay!
A light rail line was located just metres from the house, surrounded by parklands and playgrounds for grandchildren to enjoy. With public transport on their doorstep, the couple could board a tram and arrive at local eateries or Albert Park — one of Melbourne’s premier entertainment districts — in just a few stops.
But, as Richard puts it, he and his wife were “getting older” and starting to feel anxious about living in a two-storey home. Their daughter suggested it was time to downsize, saying, “Dad and Dottie, you’ve got to move out of this house. It’s okay now, but in the long run the stairs will get on top of you.”
Secretly grateful for his daughter’s concern, Richard started to worry about Dorothy’s safety on the stairs. “We’re both still very fit and use the stairs during the day, but I dreaded the thought of Dorothy tumbling down the stairs at night.”
With these concerns in mind, Richard, a retired engineer, saw an article in The Age about domestic lifts. It caught his eye and sparked an idea that this might be a solution to the challenge of stairs.
Richard devoted considerable time to researching vertical transport options, including stairlifts, residential elevators and through-floor home lifts. Concerned about the lack of an enclosed cabin and awkward transfers from the seat, he quickly ruled out a stairlift.
“I looked at competing residential lifts, and RESiLIFT® immediately jumped out at me,” Richard says.
“It was different from its competitors. It was elegant, and as an engineer, I appreciated the simplicity and the lightness of it.” From there, Richard used the contact details on the website to reach out to his local distributor.
“And here I am — a proud and happy RESiLIFT owner for the past five years.”
Home lifts made simple
RESiLIFT appealed more than its competitors because of the simplicity and elegance of the product. Richard loved that it required no electrical work, ran off a standard three-point power plug and had no visible hoist.
“The lift is extremely reliable and quiet,” he adds. “It has never broken down and only requires an inspection once a year. The maintenance fees are very low.”
“Every new visitor to our house comments on how unobtrusive and elegant the lift is.”
It’s easy to see why it held so much appeal. RESiLIFT is Australia’s pioneer through-floor residential lift, with a unique shaftless design that allows for easy installation in both new and existing homes with minimal building work.
Designed and manufactured in Australia, the lift car depth can be customised to suit almost any floor plan, and customers can choose colours and finishes that match their décor — ensuring the lift blends in beautifully, no matter what style of home.
Keep Your Home, Upgrade Your Life
Dorothy and Richard still use the stairs to stay active, but having a RESiLIFT gives them peace of mind, knowing they will be able to stay in their home even if the stairs become more challenging.
“Now, when I’m dozing in the middle of the night, I hear the gentle sound of the lift going down, and I’m content because I know Dorothy is safe,” Richard adds.
As frequent travelers — Dorothy is originally from the USA — the lift has also been incredibly practical for everyday life. Richard often uses it to transport luggage and other heavy items, saving countless trips up and down the stairs. “I guess it does a dozen trips every day when we come to think of it,” he smiles.
“It gives us such peace of mind to know we’re not reliant on the stairs. We can use or not use them to suit ourselves, but we’re not dependent on them.”
Before installing a lift, Richard and Dorothy thought they might have to sell their beloved Port Melbourne terrace and move to a single-storey unit. Now, having future-proofed their home with RESiLIFT, the couple can enjoy it for many years to come.
Over 3,000 Australians — just like Richard and Dorothy — have transformed their homes with RESiLIFT®. Live confidently in the home you love. Call 1300 303 522 or visit resilift.com.au to arrange a free in-home consultation with your local distributor today.
