Archive for November, 2008
In these tough economic times, I think it is safe to say: “We are becoming more aware of the growing need to curve our appetite for spending money that doesn’t belong to us”. (In other words charging big ticket items just for the heck of it). However, there are many necessities some of us cannot afford to be without particularly if we have immobility issues. These items might include assistive devices such as rollators, or wheelchairs. Both of which could enhance the quality of live for individuals whom might otherwise be confined to a hospital bed or recliner. There are other options to obtain these items without going into debt. As high as technology has climbed over the years, there is still a simple form of payment called “Layaway“, which is recalled from the past, revamped and accessible via the internet. It is the old fashioned way of doing business, when buying something “outright” is not an option due to financial contraints. There are advantages to using this method of payment, as the fees to set-up payments are nominal compared to the surcharges of credit. You are in control and have the ability to set the payments according to your budget. All I have to say to this is: “Welcome Back Layaway!”
Is there any routine maintenance I should do on my Amigo?
While it is not necessary to do daily or monthly maintenance, we do recommend these tips for optimum performance:
When my dad started to get on in years, I realized there were a lot of simple tasks he couldn’t do anymore. Though he was much too stubborn to accept my offer to move in with me and my wife, I knew I needed to make some changes to his house to reduce his risk of injury. I started with the bathroom, installing a toilet seat riser, as well as shower handles, and a bathmat. On the patio I installed a railing for the cement steps to prevent a potential fall. I also made my dad promise to keep his cell phone near him at all times in case of an emergency at home or elsewhere.
Thus far there have been no accidents, and I know he was grateful for the new additions, especially in the bathroom.
Though the common perception is that world travel is an activity for younger people, it can be just as fun and enlightening as an elderly person. Even if you can’t move around on your own, with a power chair, a travel agent, and a bit of savings, there’s no limit to the locations you can visit. For most every person out there, there’s some location they always wanted to visit but never had the chance. What better time than right now?
Don’t wait until it’s too late, find a travel partner, and hit the road!
Adaptive automotive equipment offers people in wheelchairs the means to regain the freedom they may have lost due to a disability. They must learn to operate adaptive automotive equipment in the same manner as people who drive with standard equipment and there are a variety of modifications available to enable drivers and/or passengers to motor safely across the country or across their neighborhoods. The ability to drive allows individuals with disabilities to stay active and it immeasurably improves the quality of their lives. Whether commuting to work, buying groceries, taking their children to school, going on vacation, or competing in adaptive sports, people with disabilities rely on adaptive motor vehicle equipment to keep them in the driver’s and/or passenger’s seat. There is a surprising amount of information
gathering required before helping a client choose a vehicle or determine the suitability of a given chassis. One answer often leads to many other questions. A Mobility Dealer will be able to take over and finalize the options available to the client and ensure they don’t purchase the wrong chassis for the appropriate mobility solution. The following questions will prepare you for the evaluation visit for ordering adaptive equipment for your vehicle. The answer to these questions will enable the consumer to arrive at a proper mobility solution more quickly.
• What is the nature of the disability?
• Will the person with the special need
be a driver or a passenger?
• Type of mobility device - Does the
person use a wheelchair or scooter?
• What is the make and model?
• Will the mobility device be occupied
when being brought into the vehicle?
• If occupied, how tall is the person
when sitting in the wheelchair?
• How wide is the mobility device at it’s
widest?
• Does the person have, or will they be
getting, an assessment from any source?
• How will the chassis be paid for?
• How will the special needs items be
paid for?
To locate a Mobility Dealer
in your area:
Visit www.nmeda.org or call The National
Mobility Equipment Dealers Association
(NMEDA) at (800) 833-0427.
It is also estimated that 110 people die annually from snowmobile-related injuries. Forty percent of the reported deaths were due to collisions with trees, wires, bridges, and other vehicles. A majority of snowmobile deaths and injuries involve the head and neck. Although most states do not have mandatory helmet laws, equipping yourself with head protection may reduce your risk of getting seriously hurt or killed.
Ways to Protect Yourself:
-
Always maintain your snowmobile and keep it in excellent driving condition
-
Always wear insulated boots and protective clothing including a helmet, gloves, and eye protection
-
Never ride alone
-
If possible, avoid crossing frozen bodies of water
-
Never operate in a single file when crossing frozen bodies of water
-
Always stay alert to driving conditions and obstacles, such as depressions in the snow
-
Never operate on a street or highway
-
Keep headlights and tail lights on at all times when operating your snowmobile
-
Always check the weather conditions before you depart
-
Always operate your snowmobile at safe speeds
-
Never operate your snowmobile if you’re intoxicated, tired, or on medication
For more information on United Spinal Association’s Motorsafe Program visit their Web site at www.unitedspinal.org
The Karman TV10B travel chair is simply the heavy weight champion of all super lightweight
folding travel chairs on the market today. Engineered to last, and affordable!
It has a reinforced patented all 6061 T-6 aircraft-grade aluminum frame; the Karman travel
chair offers maximum convenience, comfort, and security. Simply fold back the footrest,
squeeze the quick-release lever on the push handle and fold down - it’s that easy!
Increasingly more popular are sports for people in wheelchairs. One of the most popular, wheelchair basketball, is played frequently in urban areas and is often organized into tournaments. There also exists a National Wheelchair Basketball Association which is comprised of over two hundred teams hailing from all major cities. Each year the top teams compete in conferences. In addition to wheelchair basketball, there are wheelchair teams for almost every kind of sport including baseball, tennis, and even street hockey.
Whether you’re getting older, or have a mother or father who’s getting on in years, emphasizing shower safety is an important part of aging. Every year thousands of accidents involving elderly people occur in the bathroom that can end up in broken bones or more serious health problems. Here are a few tips for making the bathroom more safe for an elderly person:
- Intall handrails, these will give an elderly person a firm grip to avoid accidents coming in and going out of the shower.
- Install a bath mat, this is a mat which is installed on the floor of the tub or shower, and prevents slipping because of the firm texture.
- Purchase a shower chair, this will allow an elderly person to sit down while in the shower and drastically reduce the likeliness of falling.