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My elderly neighbor in Shell Point is in need of some type of lift because she will more than likley be wheelchair bound. It will only need to lift up to about twelve feet. She can not afford a typical in door elevator. I now this is a long shot but if anyone on the fourm has any ideas please let me know. The only other choice is to fix up her downstairs appartment where her caretaker lives and make it wheel chair assessable.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Keith

There are some elevator professionals on this forum who may have an idea how to help. I can tell you that it is not easy to retro-fit an elevator into a home that was not designed for one. You may end up constructing the entire thing adjacent to the existing structure.

If you decide to modify the downstairs living space, my church has a program going to build wheel chair ramps and decks for the disabled. I don't know what it takes to get on the list, but will find out.

SEVERAL YEARS BACK WE MADE A LIFT OUT OF SOME 2 INCH. PVC PIPE AND A GARAGE DOOR ROLLERS WITH A GARAGE DOOR MOTOR AND DRIVE GEAR, WORKS LIKE THE ONE YOU SEE ON T/V. ONLY COST US ABOUT $150 FOR EVERY THINK WE HAD TO USE , I DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS STILL BEING USED OR NOT. I KNOW THE GUY WE MADE IT FOR USED IT FOR ABOUT 5-6 YEARS BEFORE HE PASSED ON.
PA
SEMPER FI

Thanks guys. Steve, if she goes the downstairs route she will not need a ramp since it will be ground level. Thanks.

Saw a show over the weekend, treehouse builders or something like that... They used a winch and pulley system to lift a wood structure up and down as an elevator. Could be a less expensive option.

Residential Elevators Inc. is headquartered in Crawfordville. I know you said she may not be able to afford a traditional one, but she may want to give them a call and see what they can/can't do. Also, look into a "Beach Butler" system, it's cheaper than a residential elevator since it's not "supposed" to be used for lifting adults. Hypothetically speaking, I may or may not know someone that went this route when one of their loved ones needed a means to get up/down in an elevated home on the coast.

Good luck and if ya'll go the route of building the bottom room don't hesitate to shoot me a PM with details of when ya'll want to take on this project. I'm not much of a carpenter but I will help out any way I can.

Chris

I had a guy who does boat lifts for a living offer to build me one out of boat lift equipment. He said that it would have to have a sign that no passengers were allowed so that no one would sue him. He said if it can lift a boat, it could lift more than most elevators. The problem is these solutions do not have all of the safety features of a regular residential elevator.

Thanks guys. I will pass this info on to my neighbor.
Headed down Saturday to try to catch some red fish and mullet.