Arthritis can make everyday movements, including gripping, reaching, bending, sitting, standing, and climbing stairs, more difficult. That can make ease of use an important consideration when choosing a stairlift.
Acorn Stairlifts has earned Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use recognition after its stairlifts were independently evaluated for usability. The Arthritis Foundation currently lists Acorn Stairlifts in its Ease of Use product directory and states that products in the program are independently tested by experts and evaluated by people living with arthritis.
Acorn stairlifts also include straightforward operating features such as directional paddle controls, remote controls, a swivel seat, a seat belt, and folding components.
What is the Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use Certification
The arthritis Foundation Ease of Use Certification recognizes products that have undergone laboratory and human-factor testing and received a passing result for each of use.
The Arthritis Foundation says products are tested both in the laboratory and through human-factor analysis. The result is either pass or fail. Only products receiving a passing result become eligible to license the Ease of Use seal.
Older Acorn material may refer to this recognition as the Ease-of-Use commendation, while the Arthritis Foundation currently calls the program its Ease of Use Certification Program.
Can a Company Simply Pay for Arthritis Foundation Certification?
No. Paying to participate does not automatically earn Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use certification. A product must first undergo testing and receive a passing result before it becomes eligible to license the certification seal.
The distinction between testing and licensing is important:
Test→ Pass or Fail→ Certification Eligibility
If a product fails, the Arthritis Foundation says the company receives design suggestions instead of becoming eligible for certification.
There is also historical evidence that products do fail. HomeCare Magazine reported that nearly 30% of products submitted to the Ease-of-Use program failed to make it into the program. The article also described testing by product-design experts and hands-on evaluation by people living with arthritis.
That means the Ease of Use seal is not automatically granted simply because a company participates in the program.
Who Tests Products for Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use?
Ease of Use products are independently evaluated through specialized usability testing rather than being certified solely by the manufacturer.
The Arthritis Foundation works with Intuitive Design Applied Research Institute (IDARI) on its Ease of Use testing and accessible-design work. The Foundation describes IDARI as its Ease of Use testing facility and uses laboratory and human-factor analysis as part of the certification process.
The Arthritis Foundation also states that certified products are evaluated by people living with arthritis.
This provides an independent assessment of product usability, rather than Acorn’s own claims about its stairlifts.
How Were Acorn Stairlifts Tested for Ease of Use?
Acorn’s Ease of Use evaluation included real-world interaction with important parts of the stairlift.
According to Acorn’s existing Ease of Use documentation, a panel of eight testers with moderate-to-severe arthritis was evaluated for factors including torque, grip, and endurance, muscle strength, pinch force, and range of motion. Testers then interacted with the product as they normally would.
For Acorn Stairlifts, the evaluation included the use of components such as:
- Swivel Seat
- Directional paddle controls
- seat belt
- folding footrest
These are features a user may need to operate during normal stairlift use.
What Acorn Stairlift Features Can Help Someone With Arthritis?
Acorn stairlifts use simple controls and operating features that can reduce complicated hand movements when using the stairlift.
Directional Paddle Controls
Acorn stairlifts use large directional paddle controls on the chair arms. The user presses the paddle in the direction they want to travel and releases it to stop.
Acorn specifically notes that small or difficult controls can be challenging for people with limited movement in their hands or arms.
Remote Controls
Remote controls allow the stairlift to be called or sent between floors without someone sitting in the chair.
This can be useful when another person uses the stairlift or when the chair has been left at the opposite end of the staircase.
Swivel Seat and Folding Components
The swivel seat helps position the user when getting on or off the stairlift, while folding arms, seats, and footrests reduce the stairlift’s profile when it is not being used.
Because arthritis affects people differently, the importance of each feature will depend on the individual’s mobility, strength, dexterity, and ability to transfer safely.
Learn about the Acorn 130 Straight Stairlift
Learn about the Acorn 180 Curved Stairlift
Is Acorn the Only Stairlift Company With Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use Recognition?
Acorn currently describes itself as the first and only stairlift manufacturer to receive the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease-of-Use recognition. Acorn’s current stairlift and quality-testing pages continue to make that claim.
More importantly, the Arthritis Foundation independently maintains an Acorn Stairlifts listing in its current Ease of Use product directory.
Does Arthritis Foundation Certification Mean a Stairlift Is Right for Everyone?
No. Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use Certification relates to product usability; it does not mean that one stairlift will be suitable for every person or every staircase.
Arthritis can affect the hands, knees, hips, back, and other joints differently. Someone may have difficulty gripping controls, while another person may find sitting, standing, or transferring more challenging.
Staircase shape, width, landings, doors, and available space also affect which stairlift may be suitable.
An Acorn home survey allows the staircase and the user’s mobility requirements to be considered before a stairlift is recommended.
FAQs
Can someone with arthritis use a stairlift?
Many people with arthritis can use a stairlift, but sustainability depends on the individual’s mobility, strength, dexterity, and ability to get on and off the seat safely. A home survey can help determine whether a stairlift and its controls are appropriate for the person’s needs.
Are stairlift controls difficult to use with arthritis?
Stairlift controls vary by manufacturer. Acorn Stairlifts use directional paddle controls designed for straightforward operation, which can be helpful for people who find small or complicated controls difficult to use.
What should someone with arthritis look for in a stairlift?
Someone with arthritis should consider how easy the controls are to operate, how comfortably they can sit down and stand up, how the swivel seat and seat belt work, and whether they can safely use the footrest and other moving components. Individual mobility needs should also be considered during a home assessment.
Does Arthritis Foundation certification mean a stairlift treats arthritis?
No. Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use certification relates to how easy a product is to use. It does not mean a stairlift treats arthritis, reduces symptoms, or is suitable for every person with arthritis.
Are all Acorn Stairlift models covered by the Arthritis Foundation recognition?
Acorn has historically stated that its stairlift range received Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use recognition.
Choosing an Arthritis-Friendly Stairlift
When arthritis makes using the stairs more difficult, consider more than whether a stairlift moves safely between floors.
Look at how easily the controls can be operated, how the user will get on and off the seat, how the seat belt and footrest work, and whether the stairlift is suitable for the individual’s mobility requirements.
Acorn’s Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use recognition provides independent evidence that its stairlifts have undergone usability testing involving people living with arthritis.Get your free quote today!
