Electric Mobility Scooters

You don’t have to feel awkward when dealing with a person who has a disability. This booklet provides some basic tips for you to follow. And if you are ever unsure how to interact with a person who has a disability, just ask!

The Basics
Ask before you help
Just because someone has a disability, don’t assume she needs help. If the setting is accessible, people with disabilities can usually get around fine. Adults with disabilities want to be treated as independent people. Offer assistance only if the person appears to need it. And if she does want help, ask how before you act.
 

Be sensitive about physical contact
Some people with disabilities depend on their arms for balance. Grabbing them—even if your intention is to assist—could knock them off balance. Avoid patting a person on the head or touching his wheelchair, scooter or cane. People with disabilities consider their equipment part of their personal space.

The preceding is made possible by: United Spinal Association

For prevention of skin breakdown, it is imperative we change positions in bed frequently. The skin becomes very vulnerable when continuous pressure is compromising any part of our body. Therefore, it is important to turn and reposition when sitting or lying in bed. It is generally recommended by physicians to reposition at least every two hours. 

Wheelchairs Abound offers a newly designed Freestanding Trapeze. It is very easy to assemble and even easier to move with the wheels and with a fold up configuration that has been added for easy storage. The trapeze is designed to help larger patients to change positions while in bed and aid in the transfer from bed to chairs with minimum assistance. Used in conjunction with a bed, this trapeze can assist an individual weighing up to 1000 lbs. It is designed to provide support, increase stability and assist the user when repositioning in the bed. However, it is not designed to support the total body weight of an individual. It should be used for assistance only. The overhead boom swivels from 0 degrees to 180 degrees. Boom can be locked down in 45 degree increments. The chain is adjustable from the edge of headboard to the end of boom by simply sliding to desired position. It assembles with a drill, rubber mallet, and 5/16” socket and 3/4” wrench.

There are a number of ways to prevent falls in elderly people. Four of the most basic ways are for the elderly person to begin an exercise program, have their vision checked, have their healthcare provider review medications, and to make their home safer. 

Tub transfer benches or bathtub handrails can be essential bathroom safety measures when it comes to elderly people with mobility issues.   Slipping while already in or trying to get out of the bathtub can be one of the most frequent causes of falls in the elderly.

There are many different types of reachers to assist people with functions of everyday living.  The most versatile type is probably the Raptor, which is just made to pick things from the floor or down from a high shelf.  

There are also reachers that assist users in dressing, lift their legs, sit up in bed, or put on stockings, empowering people with limited mobility to be more self-reliant.

In partnership with the Zomet Institute in Israel, Amigo Mobility is proud to offer the Shabbat Amigo! Innovative. Customized. Unique.
Amigo continues its hallmark tradition of developing niche products and the Shabbat Amigo is no exception! Allowing Orthodox Jews with walking disabilities to observe the Sabbath in full compliance, the Shabbat model is halachically-authorized by the Zomet Institute in Israel. The Shabbat option with specific Shabbat features may be added to the RT Express/RT Express Junior, RD, EXT350 or HD450 Amigo models at the time of their purchase. By switching the Amigo into Shabbat mode, the user activates a timer that automatically sets the chair in motion, satisfying the “no work” Sabbath restriction. Every Shabbat Amigo is individually inspected and certified by a Zomet representative and available through Amigo dealers.

How does the Shabbat work?
When the Amigo is put into the Shabbat mode, it connects to a separate circuit board—the Shabbat module. The Shabbat module’s timing circuit takes about 15-20 seconds to start the Amigo moving slowly on its own. There is no throttle lever activation required by the driver. This is considered an “indirect action”.

Once the Amigo is moving in Shabbat mode, the driver may pull the lever to go forward faster because the motor relay circuit has already been activated by the Shabbat module. This is not considered a “direct action.” To go in reverse, the driver must push a directional button. This causes the Shabbat to go through its timing cycle, again, before it automatically changes the motor relay for reverse driving.

This question has been posed by many. The term bariatric has been losely used in the healthcare industry, and many are not sure of its’ meaning. As referenced in a Taber’s Medical Dictionary, the word bariatrics is defined as, “Branch of medicine dealing with prevention, control, and treatment of obesity.” Simply put, but covering a wide range of uses as you will see it mostly used in conjunction with surgical procedures such as “gastric bypass” or “lap band” surgeries. Of which should be considered as a last resort for treatment of obesity.

The treatment of obesity is best conducted under the supervision of a physician. Fad and non-prescription diets/ aids should be avoided, unless their use has been approved by the physician.  A weight-reduction program is recommended, and the physician may prescribe an appetite suppression for the first several weeks of the program. The individual should have a thorough physical exam. Diagnostic tests also may be ordered, if it is believed that the obesity may be due to a physical or psychological disorder.  

As always, the natural way of shedding the extra pounds is usually the healthiest way. By this I encourage healthier eating habits (not a diet) but a permanent way of eating moderately, and of course exercising as recommended by your Doctor. In the meantime, know there are durable products on the market which are designed to support your weight and body type comfortably. Wheelchairs Abound understands the importance of having the right fit for your mobility needs! 

The Amigo Power Operated Vehicle (POV) has been recognized in the mobility industry for 40 years. This brand of scooter has passed the test of time, and has only improved over time. It has been one of the most durable, reliable and sturdy POV’s on the market. The credit for producing this high quality assistive device is Mr. Al Theime, President and Founder of Amigo Mobility International, based in Bridgeport, MI.

This all American company has outgrown it’s  current facility, where other companies are laying off and closing doors. Amigo is expanding their headquarters, which in turn provides more jobs to Americans. This speaks highly of the product line, as individuals with mobility challenges are realizing Amigo delivers the ultimate in comfort, safety and durability. End users find these scooters lasting upwards of 10 years. Needless to say, these individuals become avid Amigo customers, as the scooter has been proven to out-last other brands. When investing in a product to enhance our independence, it is always best to go with the brand we know, Amigo!

Heat exhaustion is a state of definite weakness produced by the excess loss of normal fluids and sodium chloride in the form of sweat usually caused by exposure to heat, likely indoors. Some of the symptoms are: Face becomes pale, cool, and moist. The skin is cool, clammy with profuse sweating. The body temperature is below normal.  Heart rate is weak, thready and rapid.  Breathing becomes shallow and quiet. Muscles are tense and contracted and eyes may become soft.

Heat stroke is a condition or derangement of the heat control centers due to exposure to the rays of the sun or very high temperatures. The body’s ability to cool down  is inadequate or absent. Some of the symptoms are: Face becomes red, dry, and hot. The skin is hot, dry and no sweating with an elevated temperature as high as 106° to 110° F. Heart rate is usually full and strong. Breathing becomes labored and sometimes painful. Muscles are tense with possible convulsions and pupils are dilated but equal.

Both conditions can be dangerous and fatal and can be avoided by keeping the body temperature normal and drinking plenty of fluids, preferably water. Avoid constant heat indoors,  direct sun light and continuous physical activity in hot envirionments.

If either is suspected, it is recommended to call 911 immediately for instruction. If no phone is available, and the person is awake, encourage resting, keep head elevated, give cold fliuds and remove person from the sun in the case of suspected heat stroke. In the instance of heat exhaustion, keep person quiet, head lowered and keep body warm to prevent the onset of shock.

CMS to Face Legal Threat if Congress Cancels DMEPOS Contracts

The federal government could face a flurry of lawsuits from angry medical equipment suppliers if lawmakers get their way and cancel hundreds of contracts that took effect July 1.

As of July 1, only those suppliers in 10 metropolitan areas that won contracts through a bidding process completed earlier this year are permitted to sell 10 types of medical equipment, such as diabetes test strips, walkers and oxygen tanks, to Medicare beneficiaries.

But despite the fact that those suppliers are already abiding by the terms of their winning bids and have spent thousands of dollars to prepare for the starting date, key lawmakers remain committed to retroactively terminating their contracts, making changes to the program and opening it up for a fresh round of bids to take effect in 2010.

If the legislation is enacted, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will face an enormous administrative headache, as well as the threat of legal action from suppliers who feel that they played by the rules and deserve the spoils.

The language to delay the program, authored by Rep. Stark (D-CA), became part of a larger Medicare bill that overwhelmingly passed the House, and just passed the Senate.

Stark has expressed particular sympathy to the industry’s complaints that CMS mishandled the implementation of the bidding program by, for example, providing inadequate guidance to bidders about how to file the appropriate paperwork.

CMS has been stalwart in its defense of the program, pointing out that the bid prices are an average 26 percent lower than what the government currently pays and emphasizing that triumphant bidders had to win accreditation that had never before been required to participate in Medicare.

In exchange for agreeing to take up their cause, Stark extracted a heavy price from the medical equipment industry. In order to cover the $3.1 billion, five-year cost, the industry accepted a 9.5 percent cut off their current fees in those 10 geographic areas.

(The Hill, July 8, 2008)

If you are one of many in need of minimal assistance with walking then perhaps a walking cane is what you’ve been prescribed. There is an array of walking canes found on the market. Available are one point canes to four point canes for maximum support. If you are conservative, a more simple design is probably right for you. The metal canes offer additionl durability and support.

But if you have a more “colorful” personality, why not make a statement with a custom cane that is made from wood? You do have many options from which to choose . There are exotic wood carved canes from Coco Bola Rosewood wood to a Teak wood and everything in between. Exotic wood is used to make custom made canes that give you dependable support when you are walking. These bold rich canes are extraordinary as well as exotic. These personalized custom walking canes can help you make any statement you choose.

There are also canes that make a statement through the painting you decide to put on your cane. To make a colorful statement you could add rainbow or candy stripes to your cane. Or maybe you will choose custom walking canes that have a clouds or trees, or even animals painted on them. No matter what your choice is, you can have just the right addition to your cane to make your statement whether it is subtle or flashy. Be creative and stylish. No one said that assistive devices had to be boring. So…….Pimp Your Cane!