Electric Mobility Scooters

Navigating narrow corridors or confined areas used to be a challenge for those people restricted to wheelchairs. Now there are a variety of  power chairs that provide improved mobility and allow people more independence. One of the main advantages is an increased turning radius.

Thanks to recent innovations, there are now multiple sets of wheels that allow for cornering in close quarters. There are also several speed options to allow you more versatility in your traveling. These new and improved units are sure to be just the first step in revolutionizing power chair and wheelchair technology for future generations.

This summer the city of Spokane, WA hosted the 29th National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Athletes from around the country gathered for a weeklong competition in a variety of sports. It is amazing to see how these people overcome their disability and thrive in athletic contests.

There are a variety of events at the annual competition, including bowling, ping pong and archery. Many competitors also took part in more strenuous activities like basketball, soccer and weightlifting. In my opinion, the most impressive spectacle was the heated swimming races.

As I was growing up I loved watching game shows with my Grandma. Whenever I would stay home from school sick we would watch the daytime classics like Press Your Luck and Pyramid. My favorite, however, was always the long-running Price is Right with Bob Barker.

 There are many iconic staples from the show, such as Barker’s Beauties and the culminating Show Case Showdowns. One thing that anyone who watches the show will notice is the target market in the advertisements. The commercial breaks are filled with plugs for Sea-Bond and government subsidized power chairs, which always made me feel a little out of place being five-years-old.

When my grandma, Yia Yia as we called her due to her Greek heritage, became ill it changed everyone’s lives in our family. She became immobile and fragile almost over night due to what the doctors told us was Alzheimer’s disease. A mournful realization we all underwent that day, we made a pact to provide her with the best care and the best tools to keep her active longer. After a few hours of detailed research, we were able to make a list of things we could buy her to prolong her mental awareness and safety.

Already at the fragile age of 72, grandma had trouble walking because her feet had become so swollen. One of the items at the top of our list was an electric wheelchair. Comfy and compact in design, it became a lifesaver when we would run errands. It also ended up saving everyone a little bit of energy at the end of the day because no one had to push her. It became a tool of comfort to her, like a child’s blanket it was there to protect her.

While many people think they understand the challenges of being disabled, the experience is very different when you actually live it. Someone who is on crutches or in a wheelchair for the first time quickly realizes that communities and buildings are planned and constructed under the assumption that most people are physically able to navigate them. For every door that opens automatically or with the push of a button, there are 10 more that do not. A person who needs assistance with basic tasks because of a disability can feel helpless and embarrassed.

Some challenges that confront people with disabilities, especially those who use manual wheelchairs, are nearly invisible to able people, like how difficult it can be to navigate up a steep ramp while powering the wheels by hand. For this reason, electric wheelchairs are not just luxuries; they’re necessary for some people to live fulfilled lives that are not ruled by their disabilities. If you’re a caregiver or friend of someone who has a disability, take a moment to understand what it would feel like to be immobile or dependant on someone or something else to get around. This will help you be a more patient, thoughtful caregiver, and it will also empower you to advocate for your friend to have the proper tools needed to offset his or her disability.

Good Ergonomic News! 

Whether disabled from an injury, surgery, or a medical condition, it’s important for disabled people to have the means to get around.  Having to sit in one location and be immobile can be a painful experience, but mobility for a disabled person isn’t all that difficult.  With the invention of electric wheelchairs and scooters, the extent of a disability is no longer of consequence.  With just their hands, disabled people can get around through the same means as those walking on their own two legs.  In addition, most, if not all metropolitan locations have provided accommodations for disabled people including ramps and elevators.  Electric wheelchairs and scooters are designed to navigate through tight spaces. 

Many insurance policies will cover an electric wheelchair or scooter under their plan, so there’s no reason not to take charge and become mobile.  Don’t bother hobbling around with crutches and canes, become mobile and independent today! 

Common microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi (mold, mildew) are found all around use and can cause a wide range of problems for almost any product. The AEGIS Microbe Shield controls these problems by providing odor protection in wheelchair upholstery, reduced bio-loading, and stain and deterioration control in linens and medical garments. All of these benefits come from the unique properties provided by the AEGIS Microbe Shield technology. Everything from socks to hospital linens and shirts to carpeting are protected by the AEGIS Microbe Shield technology. The AEGIS Microbe Shield successfully protects even high performance applications, such as surgical drapes where safety and performance are paramount. When a product displays the AEGIS Microbe Shield certification mark, it provides consumers with the confidence that the product is protected by the most advanced anti-microbial on the market today. Treating performance wear with the AEGIS Microbe Shield technology has many benefits. The AEGIS Microbe Shield technology controls the growth of odor-causing bacteria and fungi, reducing odor, staining and deterioration which is the most common result of repeatedly using medical equipment. Freshness is assured with the AEGIS Microbe Shield technology:

• Protection against microbial growth without leaching onto the skin or crossing the skin barrier
• Controls or eliminates objectionable odors, unsightly stains, and product deterioration
• Ideal surface for prolonged sitting

Effective against a wide range of microorganisms from bacteria to fungal contamination like mold, mildew, algae and yeast; which helps to reduce the breakdown of skin.   

Certain features of your new wheelchair will make your chair more comfortable.
Know what “extras” will make it easier for you to do your daily activities.
Also, make an informed decision about the “extras” you don’t need.
Consult your physical therapist and the sales person about all of the structural features of the wheelchair. Utilize interactive websites to provide measurements, for a comfortable fit. The right fitting chair gives you the best mobility, range, stability, and comfort.
 
Find out if the controls or brakes are easy to use and reach. Consider if the footrests should be adjustable, movable or detachable. Depending on the surfaces/ terrain you anticipate using most, and whether or not you will propel the chair, the wheel size is a major factor when making a selection. Certain style armrests work better than other’s depending on how you transfer and your level of activities. A lap tray might be helpful to have on your wheelchair. 

Proper seating is an important part of wheelchair fitting. There are many different seat cushions and backrests that can be added to your chair. The newer model wheelchairs have anti-microbial stain-resistant fabric. There are also ergonomic designs, with S-shaped seating. These features help you sit with better posture, and reduce pressure sores, back pain, and spinal deformities caused by chronic poor posture. A good seat cushion is a must to help prevent pressure sores, especially for anyone who has a loss of feeling in their buttocks. 

Tilt seating distributes your weight in the chair. This is ideal for prolonged sitting, and provides an alternative to tranferring in and out of the chair to recline.  Anti-tippers can prevent you from flipping over backwards or falling out of your chair. 

There is a wide range of prices and styles of wheelchairs on the market. However it is important to remember, the one you choose should be specific to your personal needs. This is not a “one size fits all” item.

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)