Planning Ahead for Safe Living at Home – Rosemary’s Story.
Rosemary has lived in her beautiful home in Mill Hill, North London since 1969, where she raised her four children and now regularly welcomes her growing family, including nine grandchildren. With so many memories and year spent designing it to be just right, moving was never something she wanted to consider.
The thought of leaving a long-established family home, filled with familiarity and connection, can be difficult, both practically and in terms of mental health. It often means stepping away from a place shaped by routines and identity, as well as moving away from established support systems, all of which can have a lasting emotional impact.
However, as her mobility needs changed, including knee pain that has become more prominent over the years, the stairs began to pose an increasing challenge.
While she could still manage them, there were moments, after a long day, returning from a trip, or carrying heavier items, where the physical effort became more noticeable. This raised an important question: how to maintain safe access to all areas of the home without increasing strain or risk.
Rather than compromise on the place she loves, Rosemary began exploring ways to adapt her home to better support her needs, both for now and in the future.
Exploring the Right Solution
Amongst other options, a stairlift was quickly ruled out, as concerns around how it would feel to use and would look within her home meant it didn’t feel like the right fit.
However, changes in Marian’s health meant that navigating stairs was becoming physically demanding and posed a growing risk to her safety.
It was then that a friend suggested looking into a Stiltz Homelift as an alternative. Keen to find a solution that felt both practical and comfortable, Rosemary got in touch to learn more.
During a home visit, the Homelift Advisor worked closely with Rosemary to find the best location for the lift, ensuring easy access between key areas of the home. The Duo+ model was identified as the best fit and was installed between her main living area and the bedroom above.
“I wanted something that felt easy to use and worked naturally in the house, this just made sense for me.”
Supporting Everyday Living
The introduction of the homelift has provided Rosemary with greater flexibility in how she moves around her home.
While she does not yet need to rely on it fully, the decision was driven largely by future-proofing, ensuring her home continues to support her needs for years to come.
In the meantime, it offers everyday benefits. Whether carrying items upstairs, managing fatigue, or simply choosing an easier option at the end of the day, the lift provides a practical alternative to repeated stair use.
Enabling Long-Term Independence
For Rosemary, having a Stiltz Homelift is about more than convenience; it’s about maintaining a way of life.
By adapting her home, rather than leaving it, she has created an environment that supports both her independence and her connection to the place she calls home.
“I obviously want to stay in my house and having the lift is really a huge part
of that.”
Her story highlights how early, well-planned adaptations, supported by the right guidance and installation experience, can make a meaningful difference in enabling people to live safely and independently in familiar surroundings.
“They came, they saw, they conquered! And they tidied up! It was as if they’d never been.”
ROSEMARY BUCK
