Platform Lift

Posts Tagged ‘Mobility’

Vertical and inclined models of wheelchair platform lifts assist mobility impaired persons to access the different floors of residential and commercial buildings. Designed to offer increased comfort and convenience, these accessibility devices come in a wide range of models that are suitable for outdoor and indoor use.

Space-saving Accessibility Option

Wheelchair platforms lifts are considered a space-saving accessibility option compared to ramps or elevators. These mobility devices are less expensive and easy to operate. Using vertical or inclined models of wheelchair platform lifts, mobility restricted and elderly individuals can enjoy life with greater confidence and freedom.

Models with Enhanced Safety Features

In line with the requirements of physically challenged individuals, several well-known manufacturers including Savaria Concord and ThyssenKrupp Access offer handy models of vertical and inclined wheelchair platform lifts. Popular models of inclined platform lifts include the ES-125 and Carrier-lift. Vertical platform lift models such as Porch-Lift PL-RA (Residential), Porch- Lift PL-S (standard), Multilift vertical platform lift, V1504 vertical platform lift and more.

To provide safe floor-to-floor access, vertical and inclined wheelchair platform lifts are incorporated with outstanding security features including:

• Anti-skid platform surface
• Emergency stop switch
• Safety braking system
• Under platform sensors
• Continuous pressure control
• Manual lowering device

Compared to inclined wheelchair platform lifts, vertical wheelchair lifts allow the user to move up or down the floors in seated positions, thus ensuring further protection. Both these wheelchair lifts are available in hydraulic and electrically operated models. Electric models are provided with battery backups, and this enables use even during power outages. Compared to hydraulic models, they are less expensive but require timely maintenance services.

Purchase from Leading Dealers

To purchase vertical and inclined models of wheelchair platform lifts for your loved ones, take care to contact leading dealers in the industry. They can help you choose an appropriate model as well as ensure proper installation and maintenance support.

If you find it difficult to bend down or reach up, or have other dexterity or mobility problems, simple day to day activities can become hard work. Tasks that most people take for granted, such as turning a key in the door, picking the milk up off the doorstep and turning on taps, can be very difficult for some people. With the addition of a selection of mobility aids, most everyday tasks can be made easier.

Here is a list of ten household mobility aids that can make a big difference to your life.

1.Key turners allow you to attach your keys to a folding Swiss Army Knife style keyring. The keys fold into the body of the key turner when not in use. Using a key turner provides more leverage and so makes opening locks easier. It can also make keys easier to find and

2.Reachers allow you to reach things without having to bend down or get up. They have literally hundreds of uses throughout the house and garden, and even whilst out shopping. Different types of reacher have different features, which can include magnetic jaws, hooks for picking up key rings and the likes, and clips to attach to walking frames or wheelchairs. Different types of handle are available, which use different parts of the hands and fingers, and you may need to try several to ensure that you choose the right one to meet your needs and dexterity.

3.Grab rails attached to the wall can help when getting out of the bath, going up steps or stairs, getting out of a chair or bed and in many more situations. They can be attached in the correct place for your needs and are available in different styles and sizes. It is recommended that grab rails are installed by a professional qualified tradesman.

4.A small half step can help overcome steps outdoors, or steep or high stairs indoors. Depending on the model of step, they can also be used in the bathroom.

5.Non slip material can be used all over the house. From the kitchen to the bathroom, you are sure to be able to find a hundred and one uses. The material is versatile and can be purchased in various sizes to meet your needs. Whether it is to prevent items slipping off a tray, glasses falling off a bedside table or for opening jars, non-slip material can really help those with limited mobility and dexterity.

6.Electrical plugs and sockets can pose problems to those who find it difficult to bend down. Nowadays, there are products which can provide a solution. By choosing plugs with handles on them to make them easier to plug in and unplug, or using dedicated extension sockets to move plug sockets higher up the wall, you are sure to benefit, and keep your electrical cables tidy. Various types of scissors, such as self-opening, or easy grip can make cutting easier. This can make a great deal of difference in the kitchen, as well as all over the house.

7.Additional items such as a needle threader, playing card holder, card shuffler, or jigsaw roll can bring the fun and enjoyment back into leisure activities. Pens and pencils with special ergonomic grips on them can allow those with poor grip to easily control a pen or pencil. Book and magazine holders allow a book or magazine to be read without being held, and without causing unnecessary strain. Magnifiers can also make a big difference when reading and doing close work. These are available with and without lights, and are ideal for activities such as sewing.

8.Gardening tools are available with longer handles so that there is no need to bend down or reach up further than is comfortable. Angled handled tools can minimise the strain placed on the wrist, and often have a non-slip grip. Ratchet pruners are available which cut with the slightest of pressure. The ratchet action multiplies the cutting action, and assists those people with a weaker grip.

9. A removable carrier bag handle is able to carry up to 4 carrier bags, depending on the strength of the user. The clips hold the handle in place so that the bags remain in place even when placed down.

10. Foam tubing can be placed on the handles of tools and utensils to build up the width of the item, so that it is easy to grip. This tubing is ideal for those who have limited coordination, strength of grip. The tubing can be used with all sorts of items, from paint brushes to cutlery.

These are just a few examples of the range and variety of household mobility aids that are available. Why not see if there’s anything that could make your daily living easier?

The AL500 Universal Power Chair Lift is the most popular outside platform lift of it’s kind in the nation. Easy to operate and built to last for years of trouble free use, this premium lift is compatible with virtually every power chair available. This is a used lift but works great. Just run a hot wire to a four flat trailer connector and that gives you your power to raise it up and down. Fits in to a 2 inch hitch lift. Call me with any questions at 1 800 848 1268. Located in Grayling Michigan. Here is a link to Harmars website with specs on this unit. www.harmarmobility.com

The elderly and disabled have an array of aids to help them both in the home and outside it. As regular home chores become more of a challenge the older you get, it could be worth considering one or more of the options detailed in this article.

Mobility beds

These beds are fully adjustable; a user can raise the bed to sit-up position or adjust leg positions in order to get the best possible sleep. They are a great way to help the elderly move easier in bed and sooth arthritic pains. This form of bed is also an advantage to bed ridden home owners, who require a carer as this form of bed helps them to treat a patient with minimal effort both for the patient and themselves.

Easy access baths

There are a range of products available to suit both space and mobility requirements. There is a range of bath lengths and also combinations of shower and bath in one. Each range comes with a water tight side access door and a nonslip seating area for use when bathing or seated showering, this component is easily raised to allow the user to easily reach a standing position again after bathing.

Fully adjustable chairs

These chairs have many useful features such as removable left or right arm, to enable the user to move from seat to wheelchair with ease, they tilt back to allow rest and also raise feet, some even raise to a vertical position to aid its user to stand again from a seated position. They also come in various styles in order to match your interior design.

Stairlifts

Stair lifts are the easiest way to continue full use of both upstairs and downstairs areas in the home for the elderly or disabled. They can be fitted to straight and curved staircases and allow the user to easily access the seat from a wheelchair or can be used to alleviate the need to walk upstairs which could cause pain or a fall.

Scooters

Mobility scooters are the ideal way for the elderly or disabled to keep independent in the outside world. There are 3 main types portable, mid-range pavement scooters of about 4mph speed and top range slightly larger and about 8mph. Each uses an electric motor and has space for shopping provided. It is worth considering what your requirements are for the scooter and where you live for example will it fit through your gate and do you need to use it on grass or on hills? There are options available to suit all scenarios.

This article has hopefully been useful in highlighting some of the options available to you and some of the advantages and choices to each option.

Allay mobility problems through out the world, technical experts are working towards creating specially designed vehicles so that these physically challenged can commute comfortably. Out of the traditional wheel chairs, there are battery run wheel chairs which are the modern version of the earlier one. Traditional vehicles had drawbacks and to combat them, technical experts came up with the new version of these known as the power operated scooters.

Power operated scooter is an advanced version of wheel chair, which allows you to control the movement through the help of a lever and a remote control system. There are separate battery chargers which lets you charge the unit while it’s on the move. You may buy spare batteries so that when one unit is getting charged, you have another one to replace in case one of it goes out of charge while you are traveling. You can sit upright without any one’s support and control the steering tiller.

It is ideal for all kinds of physical disability as it does not require you to have any arm or shoulder flexibility. Rule out any physical discomfort with the mobility devices. Moreover these are more economical than powered wheelchairs. Shop around for your mobility scooters they offer greater flexibility and are more affordable to you.

The only drawback that a mobility scooter has is its length which limits their turning radius. As a result, kneeling bus lifts may not be allowed with the mobility scooters. But, you will enjoy benefits galore with these mobility devices. Electric mobility scooters are used most often by the elderly, but also frequently by people with certain disabilities that make walking difficult, as well as people affected by illness. Using a scooter provides the means to move around freely and interact with friends and family as well as remaining active members of the community.

In order to climb up the stairs comfortably, there are stair lifts too. These stair lifts come with a range of optional extras some are for your comfort others are to enhance the operation of the stair lift in various environments. They can come with hinge rails, jointed rails for limited access & platforms for top of stair bends.

You’ve seen them parking in a handicapped space, then unloading their vehicle wheelchair lift from their vans. These vehicle wheelchair lifts are a simple and easy way to load and unload wheelchair bound people into and out of the car.

These vertical wheelchair lifts help the person get to a higher level than they’re currently on. Just like a forklift lifts crates to a higher level, the vertical wheelchair lift works the same way. The lift has a platform that the person rolls their wheelchair onto. Then, with the push of a button or the flip of a lever.

You can often go to the dealership where you bought you vehicle to have them install the vehicle wheelchair lift for you. If your van or vehicle isn’t that new, you should still be able to go to a dealer of that particular type of vehicle to get one installed. If those fail, there are many companies that deal with vehicle wheelchair lifts and they ought to know someone who can install it for you if they don’t do it themselves.

The reason you should go to a dealership, however, is that they’re more likely to know how to work on your type of car because when you get a vehicle wheelchair lift put in, you are essentially modifying your car.

Aluminium hand rims moulded with contours are the main features of the folding power wheelchair which improves its strength and durability. The tires are solid, the upholstery is normally vinyl and the carbon steel frame is chrome-plated. This makes it durable and easy for maintenance. If you can propel with your feet, the wheelchair is provided with the adjustable hemi-height.

The vertical wheelchair lift can also be used outside of the home. Lifts can be installed in vans to make it very easy for the person to get in and out of that vehicle. They can be installed in cars and there are even portable lifts that can be used in cars that won’t require the modification of the vehicle’s body.

Portable lifts are convenient and cheaper. The only bad thing is that you won’t have it readily available all the time, which could be bad if it occurred during an emergency situation when time was extremely important and you needed to get the wheelchair bound person into the vehicle quickly.

Additionally, when a person is confined to a wheelchair they may have their own vehicle that is fitted with a ramp for quick and easy access. However, if they are traveling in a vehicle that is not equipped, a portable wheelchair ramp can be used. In addition to adapting them to a different means of transportation, they can usually be easily used for access to many other facilities not so equipped.

New Scooters

Electric mobility scooters, power chairs, disability scooters. These are all terms for exactly the same device which is gaining increased popularity and providing mobility for seniors and the handicapped at a fantastic rate.  Most seniors that are hunting for one of these scooters may wish to know if they are covered by their insurance plan or medicare.  For many cases the patient does not qualify for coverage even though an electric mobility scooter mayprovide them with freedom and a higher quality of life.

Fortunately whether or not medicare or a private insurance policy does not cover the cost of electric mobility scooters because they are not medically necessary, you may still be able to afford one, as the prices have dropped significantly lately. If you are in need of a very affordable electric scooter then you may even consider purchasing a used motor scooter Depending on your need outside of budget, the most popular kinds of electric scooters are the 3 wheel, 4 wheel, travel, and heavy duty styles.

The 3 wheel mobility scooters have a tighter turn radius and allow greater mobility in the house. They are also capable of higher speeds and long battery life, and they are created for use on relatively smooth terrain. They are ideal for short trips to the market or driving around in a neighborhood.   The 4 wheel scooters make the perfect choice for longer outside use, as they tend to have larger tires and much longer battery life. The 4 wheels provide much greater stability. Most 3 and 4 wheel electric mobility scooters demand a scooter lift in order to be transferred in a vehicle.

Travel scooters are generally three wheel scooters that disassemble into 3 or 4 manageable pieces that can effortlessly be transported in the trunk of a automobile. They generally have compressed and lightweight frames that give a lot more mobility in tighter spaces. Heavy duty scooters were created for patients who have become disabled by morbid obesity. These scooters have sturdy frames, well designed suspensions, anti-tips, and broader seats, so they can support weight over 350 lbs.

Wheelchair lifts are the best options that will help free you from mobility barriers. Physical disability and old age are factors that contribute to lack of mobility. Without a wheel chair lift, most of the aged and the physically challenged will have to depend on caretakers to reach the different floors of their house or office for their basic needs. The presence of caretakers constantly at one’s side is an intrusion into individual privacy. Therefore, physically disabled people consider wheelchair lifts a real blessing.

Nowadays you can purchase different models of wheel chair lifts with a variety of value added features depending on the needs of the users. As the manner of using the lift differs in residential and commercial buildings, different models are available for residential and commercial purposes.

Wheelchair stair lifts are commonly used in residences where there are old or disabled family members. As there are houses with straight and curved stairways, straight stair lifts and curved stair lifts are available in the market. Most of these stair lifts are provided with safety measures to ensure the safety and comfort of the users. Some stair lift models are provided with obstruction sensors. These sensors detect obstructions on the path of the lift and avoid damages. Most of these stair lifts are provided with rechargeable batteries. Therefore these lifts can be used even at the time of power failures. Hydraulic wheelchair lifts are also available in the market. Hydraulic lifts are more expensive than electric lifts.

Vertical platform lifts are used to move along a straight stairway. These lifts normally have a lifting capacity of 750 lb or 340 kg and are available in different colors to suit the interiors of homes and workplaces. Most of the reputable vertical platform lift manufacturers provide 1-2 year warranty for the main parts of the lift.

Automobile wheelchair lifts are helpful for physically challenged persons to get in and out of vehicles without much effort. There are many branded companies such as Bruno, ThyssenKrupp Access, and Savaria Concord who provide quality vertical lifts. These companies have dealers in major locations of the country. The dealers are provided with qualified technicians to offer quality wheel chair lift installation and maintenance services for the lifts.

Advances in personal mobility products including scooters and electric wheelchairs have returned convenience, freedom, and independence to many seniors suffering from limited mobility. These advances, because there are now so many quality choices, have also necessitated a thorough review of options and needs to ensure that the eventual purchase of the mobility product results in the best solution for each individual. The following is a review of both personal mobility products including descriptions as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each.

Mobility Scooters:

These scooters allow for low cost mobility without the psychological weight of being confined to a wheelchair. Options include a variety of styles, colors, designs and upgrades and cover the full spectrum of uses from shopping to navigating uneven terrain.   These scooters come in three different model types:

* Three wheel – These models typically offer better handling in tight quarters and more leg room than other options.
* Four wheel – Built for a bearing weight of up to 500 pounds, these scooters offer more stability and heavy duty mobility than the three wheel mobility scooters.
* Compact scooters – For situations where storage or transportation options are limited, these scooters fold down to allow for placement in smaller areas whether in the house, car, or van.     
Steering and control of electric mobility scooters is usually done via handlebars much like those seen on bicycles and work best for owners that are not suffering from upper body mobility issues. Top speeds average around 8 miles per hour, with higher power models usable on roads, uneven terrain, and up steep hills. Another advantage of these scooters is that transporting them requires only a simple trailer which can easily be attached to the back of a car or van.
Personal mobility scooters are an extremely cost-effective solution toward re-building an individual’s mobility, freedom and independence. Scooters, ranging in price from $1,000 for a basic model to $5,000 for one that is fully loaded, are much lower in price than electric powered wheelchairs.

Electric wheelchairs:
Advances in electric wheelchairs have all but eliminated the old perception of the “loaner chairs” available at airports, shopping malls and amusement parks and replaced it with a personal mobility option loaded with high tech features and capabilities. These chairs come with four to six wheels, easy maneuverability, and programmable joysticks for ease of navigation.

Built for individuals with greater mobility issues, these electric wheelchairs offer durability, stability, and a wide array of seat movement options including motorized stand, tilt, support, and recline functions which can be tailored to individual needs.
Three major drawbacks of electric wheelchairs are that they don’t fold down, their considerable weight, and their cost. The weight and non-foldable nature of the chairs severely limits their use with standard cars, lifts and light duty trailers. These chairs function much better in customized vans where four point tie-downs make for a much safer and stable ride. Cost-wise, electric power wheelchairs are the most expensive type of personal mobility vehicle with prices for upgraded electric wheelchairs going up to around $15,000.
Determining the right personal mobility product comes down to an assessment of needs.

Mobility scooters are work best for people who:

* Do not have upper body mobility issues
* Are using the scooter for relatively brief periods of time
* Will need to transport the scooter in a car

Electric power wheelchairs are probably best suited for those who:
* Need joystick based navigation due to upper body mobility issues
* Need posture support
* Will be in the chair for extended periods of time

When you’ve a challenging time just gettin in and out of a chair, I know how it feels. I’ve been there myself getting out of a surgery one particular time. I wish I knew about the Pride recliner lift chair option back then. But you do, and this short article will aid you.

The post will provide you with two most important and fast checks you should do to make certain you are getting an appropriate bariatric lift chair. Is Pride recliner lift chair going to be appropriate to suit your needs? Read on and find the two crucial factors, the reclining capacity plus the weight capacity.

How many reclining alternatives do I have to have?

All lift chairs offer an effortless and painless way to get in and out of the chair, from the sitting down placement to the standing up position. But, odds are, if you’re experiencing pain and difficulty getting out of a chair, that, regardless, you’ll end up spending a great deal of time in that chair. So, in anticipation, most of today’s lift chairs include a reclining capacity to a certain degree. Some lift chairs will provide a single straight up and one particular reclined position. Some will present two reclining positions, and some will present more. Just go by your imagination. Would you just like to pleasantly watch Tv or study a book. Then maybe a single reclined placement is adequate. Is the circulation in your legs impaired? Then, give yourself a treat, and locate a lift chair recliner that provides the “zero gravity” position to aid your blood circulation. Would you at times just desire to sleep in the chair? Then the stretched-out recline is for you.

The carrying weight of the chair

The weight capacity of your lift chair will probably be given in lbs. Bear in mind a couple of points about this. First, the lift chair includes a delicate electric powered motor in its foundation, and a sensitive apparatus of lifting or tilting the base. So it just isn’t as tough as your metallic body, or wooden frame chair. It has a capacity, or pressure that it can withstand. Second, the capacity quoted inside brochure or online, will be the capacity it’s going to hold in a static situation, meaning just seated, or just laying down. Dynamic occasions, such as getting on the chair, or, somebody else getting on the chair in a hurried fashion, add more stress, or dynamical strain over and beyond the weight to the forces that your lift chair ought to endure. So to be able to endure this sort of forces, particularly unpredictable dynamical strains, I propose to always over-design on a side of caution. Don’t just get a weight capacity that matches your weight. Account for the dynamical additional force, and go much higher in the lift chair capacity.

You may sit in the chair with the peace of mind knowing that the chair is overdesigned and will withstand any accidental mistreatment.

Caution: You should answer both of the above concerns before you will know whether the Pride recliner lift chair is right in your case. Is the carrying capacity sufficient? Does it have adequate reclining positions that you will have to have? When the answer is yes to the two questions, you are ready to choose the color and buy!