BACK in the old days you could pretty much sum up the school curriculum in a single phrase – “the three Rs”.
It stood for “reading, writing and ’rithmetic”, so there’s a certain irony that in a phrase about the fundamentals of education, two of the ‘three Rs’ – writing and arithmetic – do not actually begin with the letter ‘R’. Nevertheless, like all the best phrases, it caught on and was widely used after being coined in a speech given by Member of Parliament William Curtis in 1795.
You will still hear people refer to the ‘three Rs’ as the foundation of a sound education, but did you know that an Acorn Stairlift can also help with the three Rs? Here’s our own version of what the famous phrase means could mean to you and how it could enhance your everyday quality of life:
The Acorn Stairlifts ‘Three Rs’
Retain your independence. Some people imagine that having a stairlift installed is like giving up their independence. On the contrary, the real threat to your continued independence is from reduced mobility, whether caused by a medical condition such as arthritis, the effects of an accident or just getting older. An Acorn Stairlift removes that threat and helps you hang onto your independence for longer by enabling you to go up and down stairs in safety and comfort whenever you like and as often as you like.
If you’re recovering from an illness or accident and are unsteady on your feet you might need physical help getting up and down the stairs, or at least someone to watch over you. The same might be true if you have stiffness in your joints, weakness in your muscles or any condition which leaves you breathless or lightheaded through exertion. Having a fall is never good, but if it happens on the stairs it could be catastrophic, and it could take months to get back to normal, if you ever do.
As with most things in life, prevention is better than cure. With an Acorn Stairlift you can continue to use the stairs independently, while both you and your loved ones enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are safe in your own home.
Regain the freedom of you home: When the stairs start to become difficult, many people begin to use them less rather than seeking a long-term solution. It may be almost unconscious at first, putting off climbing the stairs until you really have to, planning your day around how often you’ll need to go upstairs, or asking others to ‘pop up’ and fetch something for you.
You may get to the point where you hardly ever go upstairs during the day, using downstairs toilet facilities if you have them, or even considering a commode. For some people the stairs become such an obstacle that they set up a downstairs bedroom, perhaps in a dining room or study. But why give up at least half your home or sacrifice other rooms when you don’t have to?
An Acorn Stairlift means you can continue using all of your home all of the time, without the worry or pain of having to soldier up and down the stairs. It’s like having your own ‘access all areas’ pass ready to use whenever you need it.
Remain in the home you love: For some people, the stairs in their home become such an impossible obstacle that they consider moving to a bungalow or ground floor flat. This can be a huge financial, physical and emotional upheaval, especially in later life, and many people are understandably reluctant to leave the home they love – a home filled with memories and surrounded by good friends, neighbours and community connections.
Again there is a much simpler and cheaper solution. An Acorn stairlift effectively turns your two-storey home into a bungalow by completely removing the obstacle of stairs at a single stroke. Through this simple and easily-achieved home adaptation you can stay in the home you love, free from the worry of having to get up and down the stairs.
● For more information on how Acorn Stairlifts can help you master ‘the three Rs’, give us a call today on 0808 223 4871.