Archive for December, 2008
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.
The December 11, 2008 edition of Pipeline, a newsletter of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (ODMRDD), announced that ODMRDD Director John Martin will host “budget conversations” in five locations throughout the state, during the first two weeks in January 2009. The public is invited to provide comments on potential cuts that will be made by ODMRDD. Meetings will be held in the towns of Byesville, OH, Findlay, OH, Dayton, OH, Worthington, OH and Cuyahoga Falls, OH.For meeting dates and locations: Upcoming Events
[posted December 11, 2008]
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.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, or if your pressure is borderline and your doctor is just “watching it”, measure it yourself from time to time, away from the doctor’s office. Doing so is useful because some people suffer from white coat syndrome, in which they become anxious in the doctor’s office and their blood pressure rises. As a result, the doctor doesn’t get an accurate reading and can’t know how well the condition is being treated. Also, it’s useful to know your pressure in various situations, and how effectively your medication is working throughout the day.
The best way to monitor your pressure, in my opinion, is with a home blood pressure cuff. Most of these devices are inexpensive (under $100), automatic, and easy to use. To make sure the unit is accurate, take it with you to the doctor’s office and check it against the one there. Depending on the medical book you read, you’ll find a “normal blood pressure” to be beteen 120/70 to 130/80. Each person has their own “normal”, therefore these numbers are considered ideal or desirable.
Many drugstores and supermarkets now have blood pressure machines, providing a convenient, inexpensive, and easy way to measure your blood pressure. You simply slip your arm into a cuff and push a button. But are such machines acurate? Do the stores maintain their units, or do they set them up and forget about them? Frankly, I have always been a little leary of advising my patients to check their pressure this way, especially in a supermarket. Therefore, I recommend buying yourself a home unit so you can measure your pressure at home before and after taking medication, eating, or watching an exciting event on T.V. (all away from that terrifying white coat). In addition to these scenerios, whether you are sitting or standing will affect the readings. However, if you don’t have a personal home unit, it’s okay to use the public blood pressure monitors as long as you remember to do it three times. The last reading is the one that counts. If it seems out of line, double-check it with your doctor.
The holiday season is a time to share with family and friends. In many cases, this involves traveling. It is important to remember to always wear your seatbelt when traveling in an automobile. There are approximately 6.4 million automobile accidents each year. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the typical driver will be involved in an accident of some type on an average of every 6 years. Not many people believe they can become a statistic of spinal cord injury; however, it happens every day. It is important to know that spinal cord injury can happen to anyone at anytime. Buckling up is a simple protective measure you can take to avoid getting a spinal cord injury. Also, remember the little ones as you travel. No one is too small to be properly restrained. Here’s wishing you and yours happy and safe holidays!