Opinions Needed - Ramp vs Platform Lift

[Landis02]

We have 5 steps to get into our house. We’re being proactive since we know these will be a problem for my PALS in the near future. He currently just uses a rollator. We’ve talked with 3 companies about metal ramps and VPLs (vertical platform lifts). The cost will be about the same for either.
We’ll need about 30 feet of ramp or, if we go the VPL route, about 30 feet of concrete sidewalk.
Both the ramps and the VPL can be removed from the house and sold back to the installer once no longer needed.
So, for those of you using either of these, what are the pluses and minuses? I would love to have some real world advice.

 

[swalker]

I do not have either a ramp or a VPL. However, I have used both extensively in a variety of situations.

A ramp is unlikely to fail. As long as it is mechanically sound, it will simply be there available for use. However, ramps can become slippery in certain environmental situations. When they are packed with snow and ice, metal ramps especially can be problematic. But, even when coated with water, it can be sometimes be difficult to get a wheelchair up them.

I find that as a wheelchair occupant, negotiating a ramp is easy, even when that ramp is narrow and has numerous switchbacks in it. I think some folks could have issues with using an assistant control to maneuver their PALS' wheelchair up a tight ramp.

A VPL solves all these issues, but presents its own issues. First, they can brake. I have a lift (rather than a ramp) in my wheelchair van. It has stopped working on numerous occasions. That is awkward when I am in the wheelchair on the lift. We have diagnosed the core problems and resolved them, so it is working reliably now, but be aware that electro mechanical things can and will fail.

Second, I would be a bit concerned if the VPL was outside, exposed to the weather.

Either solution can work well. I will say that one VPL in our town that allows wheelchair users to access a set of restaurants has been broken for about a decade now.

Steve

 

[lgelb]

I have seen numerous broken VPLs even in comparatively mild climates. I don't think the tech in them is the latest and greatest. If you select a ramp, I would certainly cover the ramp with a tarp or there is probably a higher-tech solution that might shed/shovel more easily, overnight when a storm is anticipated, or over days when the weather is such that you stay home.

I used the assistant control from the back to maneuver a Permobil (midwheel) up a ramp into the monorail, bus, etc. Not my favorite thing but it can be done. It would be ideal to test the proposed lining with the wheelchair (maybe after throwing some water onto it) to be used before signing off. And if there is a turn coming into your house, I would test the wheelchair for the depth/turning radius required coming off the ramp.

 

[MupstateNY]

i am getting a ramp with bannisters on mon. the head of the small ramp company said a lift would be much more expensive. who will pay for the ramp? my medicaid managed long term care plan.

i think that when it snows, my family will put pet friendly salt down.

it sounds like a LOT of concrete if you go with the lift.

 

[Doing My Best]

We got a VPL to get to the second floor of our house which is the only place that had a bedroom/bathroom large enough to be made fully accessible. We've had it a little over a year and a half and use it daily. We're in San Diego so that is a very big factor in being able to use it outside. (There was no room inside the house but we found a good spot to go from patio to master bedroom.) It was extremely expensive and Medicare does not cover it, but our long term care insurance covered about $8,000 of the $25,000+. And our out of pocket was at least tax deductible as a medical expense. For us it was VPL or move, and it made sense. I think one that only goes up a few steps would cost far less.

The first month or two we made a bunch of service calls getting it tweaked to be reliable and fully user-friendly (door opening lag time, etc.). We never got stuck in it. Since then it's been quite reliable. It operates on regular power and has a backup battery.

The one thing I'd do differently is get a 60" depth instead of 54" because it's a tight squeeze for me to get into it with the PWC. When we started Steve was driving it himself and it was easier. Of course the 60" is even more expensive so that was why we opted for the smaller one.

Bottom line the VPL has been an essential tool for us and we would do the same over again if give the same choices.

 

[krnNdug]

I am totally ignorant so be gentle if what I mention is not good. I live in Arizona and we don't get snow where we live. On those home improvement shows I've seen the under for hearing elements. Is there a away to do something like that.

No, don't make the ramp itself like that unless you want to shock your in-laws. Use extra think black sandpaper tape to help with traction. Maybe even bolts in irregular positions to get traction.

The attached article gives a good overview. Don't use rock salt or the sandpaper tape. Using snarky places rubber mats sounds like a good option. I still think placing forward facing bolts and nuts with only 1/4", 1/3" exposed.

Again, I live in the desert and like to cheaply modify something to work. I can probably get you a bunch of scorpion shells if you want to use them, but they would deteriorate pretty quickly.

Good luck. I'm looking forward to what you do.

<commercial link removed; Google winterize aluminum handicap ramp>

 

[Landis02]

Thanks for all of your input. It really helped. We opted to go with the ramps. Install should be soon.