Immobility can make even the most basic everyday tasks a challenge. For people recovering from an injury it is necessary to rehab slowly, gradually increasing the amount of weight-bearing activities. Elderly or disabled persons often need an apparatus that aids in standing, moving and that makes living at home safer.
A patient lift is a remarkable tool to help the caregiver and patient in moving and other routine practices. For an inexpensive model, try a manual lift that is completely operated by the caregiver. More expensive electrical options don’t require any physical exertion and give the patient some power to operate functions as well.
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.
A Must Have for Elderly Shower Safety
Author: ElectricWheelchair
When your loved ones become old and a little rusty in functionality, it’s in their best interest to purchase the tools necessary to ensure their safety. Walkers and canes are popular walking aids for the elderly and are easy to find just about anywhere. Moist adult wipes are another easy-to-find option that can save everyone the fuss of a messy cleanup. And Velcro shoes will save you minutes daily when it comes to helping your grandma or grandpa get in and out of their shoes.
But let’s not forget the slippery slope of self cleansing. For most people in the later portion of their elderly lives, this is a two-person job. Getting in and out of a bathtub or trying to maintain balance in a wet shower stall can be challenging and dangerous for the elderly. Shower chairs are a must have in any household that has a grandma or grandpa. Your loved one will be safe and secure as they are perched on a shower chair. Not to mention it’s a heck of a lot easier to reach all of their appendages waiting to be cleaned.
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.
These are not your typical wheelchairs! Karman has a new, sleek design with a cool flare. Shaped for comfort the ergonomic design is actually considered “intelligent” because of it’s S-shaped, contoured seating. This special seat relieves pressure on the buttocks while stabilizing, as it prevents you from sliding foward. What’s even more incredible is the removable AEGIS Microbe Shield upholstery; which comes standard with S-Ergo models. The unique anti-biotic technology is also stain and odor resistant. This new wave lightweight wheelchair is all the rave in the assistive device department. It may be time to trade in your “clunker” of a wheelchair for this upgraded model!
A bath chair is one of the most basic necessities for children and adults with special needs. Bath chairs are designed to sit in bathtubs and support people who may fatigue easily during bathing or who cannot support themselves while bathing. They can also help caretakers transfer special needs children or adults into the bathtub. Articulating bath chairs are adjustable to angle the child or adult at different angles for optimum bathing assistance.
One of the most important elements of a bath chair is that it should have slip-resistant feet. Ideally the feet of a bath chair will come with rubberized grips that will resist skidding on the tub floor. Nothing would be worse than being injured during a nice, relaxing bath! Also, bath chairs should be mold and mildew resistant and easy-to-clean.
If you’re looking for the ultimate in mobility, you’re looking for an Amigo scooter. Amigo Mobility International, Inc. has been making “friendly wheelchairs” since 1968, when founder Al Thieme was personally motivated to create a power scooter to accommodate a family member who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. According to the company’s website, the Amigo initiated the entire power scooter industry. Today, Amigo power operated vehicles are known for their compact durability, unique customization options, user-friendly features, simple maintenance, and dependable operation.
Nearly anyone can find an Amigo scooter to fit his or her mobility needs. Amigo offers a compact TravelMate scooter that is optimal for hassle-free storage in cabs, cars, RVs, boat, and planes. Even though it’s compact and great for travel, it sill has a robust 250-pound weight capacity. For people of smaller stature who want to maneuver around tighter areas at home or in stores, the Amigo Express Junior is perfect to accommodate small frames. Amigo also offers convenient, reasonably priced replacement parts and accessories, like baskets and touch controllers, to make the Amigo experience seamless.
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.
According to the National Safety Council, more than 400 people drown in bathtubs each year. Even more injure themselves by slipping and falling in the tub. This is especially a concern for older adults who have trouble maintaining their balance on slick tub floors. The time most people are prone to slipping is while entering or exiting the tub, when they have only one foot on the ground. Tub transfer benches are enormously helpful for preventing falls; they fit over the edge of the tub and have legs both inside and out of the tub. This allows you to sit on the bench and slide across until you are safely inside the tub.
While tub transfer benches are key for safety, there are several more tips to prevent falls in the tub. First, install a non-slip bath mat inside the tub to get rid of slick surfaces. Allow plenty of time for your bath or shower so you don’t rush and slip. Always be aware of where your feet are so you can maintain your balance; keeping two feet on the ground at all times will help minimize falls. If you’re still wary of falling, ask a friend or family member to stay within voice distance of the bathroom while you bathe. That way they can assist you if you need to call out for help. These precautions and tools can help you enjoy showers and baths without fear of falling.
My Amigo seat seems to be loose. What should I do?
Check your upper seat post by removing the seat and turning it upside down. Inspect the seat post for cracks or other signs of wear and tear at the spot it is welded to the plate under the seat. If a crack is found, you will need to have the upper seat post replaced.
Make sure the bolts attaching the upper seat post to the seat are tightened.
Lastly, if the seat post looks good, put the seat back on the seat post and check the seat lock adjustment. Loosen nut on the tension adjusting screw by turning the screw in quarter turns for more tension. Lock your seat, checking the tension. When it locks and holds the way you prefer, retighten the nut. Caution: Be careful not to move the screw.
For service support, please contact Amigo’s service team at 1-800-248-9131 or e-mail at service@myamigo.com.