She is very fearful going down steps facing forward, but insists she want to go to a family gathering that requires her to go up a full 14 steps. Two people will be helping her, so I think she'll get up okay. Facing the descent is more scary, even with a person in front of her. I see no recommendations online for facing backwards or sitting on each step. Has anyone tried either?
If you can't afford them there are some alternatives one particular one is a Transverse moving handrail for use on stairs. It is a mahogany stair rail, with concealed toothed rack below, and an aluminium yellow powder coated handle which slides up and down the rail. The handle locks in position when weight is applied to provide static support, when handle is raised slightly it disengages from the toothed rack and slides up and down the rail. The handle unit can be slid off the hand rail without tools when not required leaving the stair rail on the wall. Now these are definitely available in the UK - US not so sure but they might be called stair steady.
Also, before installing make sure the elder really really wants one of those lifts. If there is a showroom with a lift, let the elder try it. One wouldn't want to spend all that money and find the elder rode it once and never again, too scared to use it.
Hmmm, never thought about going down sideways, I will have my Dad try that with his caregivers, and about using a gait belt.