Electric Mobility Scooters

My daughter has played soccer for more than ten years. She’s a teenager now and has no plans of quitting despite whatever injuries she will sustain. This last week was a trial for her because during a recent game she got kicked in the ankle. The ankle ended up fractured. Not only could my daughter not play soccer for two monthes, she also could barely get around the house or school.

Thankfully her doctor recommened a solution: he said she should use a pair of underarm crutches. I will tell you what, those crutches were a miracle for her. She was able to get all around the house and the yard, and could even get up the stairs at her school. Without that pair of crutches she would have been really depressed. Not playing soccer bothers her, but not nearly as much as being bedridden would have!

I have had a good friend for many years who happens to be a quadriplegic. Prior to 1995 he had no access (for insurance reasons) to an electric scooter.  Then in 1995 everything changed and independence was won. Though it sounds cliché this opened up a complete new world of independence. In this case the 4-wheel heavy duty motorized scooters have proven to be an economical and cheap solution to a variety of issues. These issues include convenience and a portable and quick way to accomplish daily tasks. Concerning the 4-Wheel Light & Portable motorized scooters the ground clearance, power, speed and climbing ability are also impressive and necessary in daily travel about town allowing a multitude of tasks to be accomplished.

The 3-Wheel Heavy-Duty mobility scooters also are electric w/ batteries and most high-end brands come standard with switch buttons on the dash. The range and stability of most of these handicapped scooters are impressive @ 10 miles and up and many come with cargo options  such as baskets and lights. Another big advantage is the quiet ride. The 3-wheel light & portable scooters are the last category and provide fast storage and a transportable unit many of which fold or break down into parts for storage into a trunk or back seat/cargo area. Many of the lightweight portable 3-wheel scooters for the disabled are sturdy and built to last and provide a portability factor not provided by the heaver scooters.

An electric scooter is a very useful product for the disabled or elderly in today fast paced society.

The American Heart Association states the following:

Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease and stroke. It also contributes to other risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, a low level of HDL (”good”) cholesterol and diabetes. Even modest levels of physical activity are beneficial.

The AHA says that older adults and those with disabilities can gain significant health benefits with a moderate amount of physical activity, preferably daily. Physical activity doesn’t need to be strenuous to bring health benefits. What’s important is to include physical activity as part of a regular routine.

For older adults, this moderate amount of activity can come from

• longer sessions of moderately intense activities such as walking or swimming
• shorter sessions of more vigorous activities such as fast walking, moon-rocking or stair-climbing

Greater amounts of physical activity can bring more benefits. But it shouldn’t be done excessively, or your risk of injury will increase.

People with disabilities are less likely to engage in regular moderate physical activity. Still, they can benefit from 

• moderately intense activities (such as 30–40 minutes of using a manual wheelchair)
• shorter sessions of more intense activity (such as 20 minutes of wheelchair basketball)

How do you know whether you or a loved one would be better off with a rollator or a walker?  Comparing these two products will help you to make your decision. Perhaps rollators are not as well-known as walkers. Overall, walkers are devices with four legs and two handles that you lift up and place in front of you for stability when walking. Rollators on the other hand have wheels. The most common designs have three or four wheels. Some are also equipped with a breaking and locking system for the wheels. Both a rollator and a walker can fold for easy storage or travel. They are used by individuals who require more support than a walking stick or cane can provide.The true benefit of a rollator are the wheels that offer ease of movement. Some people find the continuous lifting and setting down of a walker awkward and uncomfortable. If that is the case, it is almost more of a hindrance than a help. If you or a loved one is not putting their walker to use think about this. Are you suffering from a feeling of isolation, because your lack of mobility makes simple little trips, like going to the shopping mall, beauty salon/barber, temple or church, close to impossible? If that is the case, perhaps you would be much happier with a rollator than a walker. A rollator provides all the benefits of a traditional walker, but is very easy to use. For some it is a more dignified alternative to the traditional walker. With a rollator the trip to the shopping mall or even the grocery store is a possibility again. Once again you can get out and get exercise, chat with people, and buy the supplies you need to live happily and healthily.

Selecting the right chair, especially for a first-time wheelchair user can be confusing. It’s always a good idea to work with an occupational therapist who has experience with various kinds of wheelchairs, but here are some mobility basics on wheelchairs.

Manual Wheelchairs

People with upper body strength typically use a manual – they propel it with their arms on the rims of the wheels.  Today’s standard comes in every color and designed for much superior performance. Newer chairs ride truer and are much easier to push than the old-fashioned one. The lightweights, whether with either a rigid frame or a folding frame, are also easier to transfer in and out of cars.

Power Wheelchairs

Many people cannot push a wheelchair with their own arm strength and may require a wheelchair powered by batteries. Power chairs come in several basic styles. The traditional style looks like a beefed up standard manual plus the batteries, motor and control systems. There are also platform-model power chairs with a more ordinary seat fixed atop a powered base. Scooters come in three- and four-wheel configurations and are typically used by people who don’t require them full time.

Tilt or Recline Wheelchairs

Some people use special wheelchairs to distribute pressure and thus reduce the risk of skin sores. These chairs also increase comfort and sitting tolerance. One type of chair, called “tilt in space,” changes a person’s orientation while maintaining fixed hip, knee, and ankle angles. The whole seat, in effect, tilts. The other chair option is called a recline system, which basically changes the seat-to-back angle, flattening out the back of the chair and in some cases raising the legs to form a flat surface. 

Even with the best treatment, rheumatoid arthritis can slow you down. That’s why a good treatment plan doesn’t stop with just medicine and exercise. If you start to have trouble with everyday activities, help is available.Assistive devices are products and tools that can make life with rheumatoid arthritis easier. These simple devices let you continue to cook, clean, get dressed, bathe, and move around with relative ease.Assistive Devices to Help You Get Around

• A cane or crutch used on the opposite side of a painful knee or hip makes walking easier and makes the joint last longer.
• Braces and splints provide support to joints and decrease strain.
• Reachers are long rods with a grip handle on one end and pincers (like a claw, used to grab) on the other. They let you pick up small objects without having to bend over or reach uncomfortably.
• Elevated chair legs make it easier to get in and out of your seat. The chairs you have can usually be fitted with extenders.

Assistive Devices for the Bathroom

• A tub bench or shower seat lets you bathe more comfortably and reduces the chance of falls. Nonskid shower mats will make the tub safer, too.
• Grab bars make it easier to get in and out of the bath.
• A raised toilet seat with side rails reduces the strain of getting on and off.
• Long-handled sponges help you to wash your legs and feet without bending. Also, large sponges are easier to grip than washcloths.
• Easy-to-pull shower curtains are better than heavy shower doors.
• An electric toothbrush with a fat handle is easier than a regular toothbrush.
• By putting a seat in front of your sink you can avoid leaning forward; the same with using a freestanding mirror for grooming.

If you are stuck with a power wheelchair that is a lemon you have two Choices. The first is to read your state lemon law and go kick some butt. The second is to sit around and feel sorry for yourself. The choice is yours to make.
Wheelchair Lemon Laws provide a legal remedy for consumers who are buyers or leasees of new motorized wheelchairs that turn out to be lemons. If the wheelchair does not conform to the terms of the written warranty and the manufacturer or its authorized dealer is unable to repair the wheelchair after a reasonable number of attempts during the first year, the consumer may be able to get a refund or have the wheelchair replaced.

These laws may vary from state to state so be sure to check your state’s wheelchair lemon law above.
 

Elderly people around the world are limited by their mobility, and it is the right of all people to be able to move about and experience all that life has to offer, no matter what their condition.  There are a variety of options for increasing the mobility of an elderly person, the most prominent being a scooter or power chair.  Though you might think electric scooters and power chairs are expensive, often times they are covered through Medicare or insurance.  Owning an electric scooter or power chair is quite easy; you simply need to plug it in and charge the batteries when it is not in use, and other than that there is little maintenance required.

Imagine being able to go to the grocery store, get around the kitchen with ease, or even take a stroll through the park anytime you want; being mobile provides a feeling of freedom and accomplishment that shouldn’t be denied to anyone.

The word commode comes from the French word meaning convenient or suitable, and refers to a small cabinet placed at the bedside.  The commode can be used to place a lamp on for reading, store medicines, clothing, hygiene products, or act as a surface for jotting down notes.  The commode is different from a standard bedside table because it is wider, and acts more like a small dresser or linen cabinet than mere flat surface.  Some commodes are designed to cater to the needs of elderly people, and can be used as seats or stools for getting in and out of bed safely. 

The commode is a classic piece of furniture that is celebrated for its simplicity and elegant design; it’s great for impressing your friends and family or even as a gift to your bed companion. 

You can literally rise to any occasion in this State-of-The-Art Power-Standing/Drive Lightweight Wheelchair, the New XO-202:
With a USA Patent /CE Approved. The frame is made with durable 6061 T-6 Aircraft-grade Aluminum. Features also include see- through Sleek Side Panels, Flip-back Concaved Armrests w/SHARK II Easy To Use Joystick Remote For Drive & Stand, Denmark Linak Control Box, Adjustable Backrest Height, Adjustable Footrest Height & Angle, Knee Support, Safety Belt, Chest Support & Leg Strap, Gel Memory Cushion Back and Seat, Weighs Only: 110 lbs w/o Battery, Breathable Nylon Upholstery, Flat Free Rear Wheels & Front Wheels, Motor: DC24V. 320W, Maximum Speed: 5 Mph (Moving slowly is recommended while standing up), Battery: 12V/36AH x2pcs, Range per Charge: ~20 Miles.