by admin | Nov 8, 2021 | Blogs
If you have a family member in your house who is dealing with mobility issues or an aging parent who no longer possesses the strength to walk up and down the stairs, we will advise you to get a stairlift installed in the house. Many people with mobility issues limit themselves to the first floor of the house or sell their house and move into assisted living. You or a loved one won’t have to go through these experiences if you install a stairlift. In this blog, we will tell you mistakes you should avoid when buying the best stairlift for straight stairs or curved stairs. What are those mistakes? Let’s find out.
Not Checking Out Stairlift Options
It is understandable that you are excited to get a stairlift installed in your house so that you can get back your independence and freedom. However, many people make the mistake of settling on the first stairlift they come across. This is a mistake because there are many stairlift types and models in the market. You should take a look at all of them before making the final buying decision.
Not Spending Enough Time On Research
Having a stairlift installed in your house will cost you some money. That is why it is essential to do some research about them on the internet before buying a stairlift. You can get in touch with specialists who have years of experience in this field. Research is important because you need to consider things such as staircase’ shape, indoor or outdoor use, and seat style. If you do not consider these, you may unknowingly buy the wrong stairlift.
Buying Used Stairlift
If you are on a tight budget and have no option but to buy a used stairlift, we will advise you to take help of a professional who has knowledge about stairlifts. We sell and install gently used stairlifts that are in like new condition.
Apart from the above-mentioned problems, people make another common mistake, which is they buy their stairlift from an unreliable source. If you want a reliable, solid stairlift at an affordable price, get in touch with Independent Living Solutions. Our sole aim is helping people regain their independence through quality accessibility products. To know more about our products and services, feel free to contact us at (303) 463-8200.
by admin | Nov 4, 2021 | Blogs
As most seniors prefer to age in place, home modifications are vital after a certain age to prevent potential injury risks or if they develop health conditions, like arthritis, affecting mobility. When stairs at home become a challenge to navigate, home modifications play a pivotal role in ensuring elderly safety.
If you are considering home modifications for mobility assistance, consider the installation of stair lifts or home elevators for the elderly. Both ensure safety and ease of access – whether you have to go to the bedroom upstairs or the basement laundry room. BUT a question arises, which one will be the better choice for you?
The answer will depend on an array of factors. We have covered all that you need to know about both options to help you make an informed choice.
Stair Lifts
A motorized chair mounted on the staircase’s treads is a stairlift.
If you want an affordable and quick solution to access the basement or upper levels of your home, a stair lift is a good choice. Whether you have a straight staircase or a curved one, installing a stair lift will not be a hassle. It is suitable for both outdoor and indoor settings.
If your home doesn’t have the needed floor space than an elevator requires, a stair lift will be a better choice.
Stair lifts may not be the safest option for powerchair or wheelchair users. To use the mobility equipment, you are required to get up from your chair, occupy the motorized chair and get back to your chair when you reach the desired floor. You will need assistance each time you use the stair lift to ensure one hundred percent safety.
Home elevators for elderly are the best mobility equipment solutions for wheelchair users – it ensures better safety and allows them to live independently.
Home Elevators
While home elevators are relatively expensive, they offer many benefits, making them a worthy investment for adults looking for solutions to access each floor of the home.
The ability to navigate different levels of your home with a button’s push is definitely appealing and hassle-free. Installing a home elevator for seniors also boosts your home’s value. When installing a home elevator, you can choose the cab color and design that match your home’s décor and a swing door that resembles your other doors.
An obstacle with home elevators is that they require elaborate planning and work. While a straight stair lift installation requires the knowledge of the total number of stair treads and the width measurements of the staircase, taking anything between a few hours to a day to install, a home elevator will need a few weeks to a month to become functional.
Quick Recap
A stair lift for seniors is a great solution when:
- You require an affordable solution for limited mobility
- You want a quick turnaround time
- You don’t want the hassle of construction or major remodeling
A home elevator for seniors is a great solution when:
- Your loved one uses a wheelchair/powerchair
- You have safety and convenience in mind
- You want to improve your home’s resale value
If you need assistance in selecting the right stair lift or home elevator, get in touch with us.
by admin | Nov 2, 2021 | Blogs
Over 6.8 million people in America rely on assistive mobility devices. About a third of the US housing community is potentially modifiable (somewhere less than 5 percent is accessible for individuals with limited mobility).
Yet if we were asked to differentiate between mobility equipment services and accessibility equipment, we would find it challenging.
In the disabled and limited mobility universe, the words “accessibility” and “mobility” are often used interchangeably when going for different devices and technologies available in the market to address the issue. However, they are not the same.
Here’s what you need to know:
UNDERSTANDING MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY EQUIPMENT USE CASE
The term “mobility” refers to one’s ability to move freely. It indicates the degree to which a person is mobile by his or herself and also movement in general.
Mobility equipment services comprise everything that fulfills the purpose of mobility. These devices are designed to help people overcome their limitations and problems for enjoying greater freedom and independence.
Some of the examples of mobility devices include:
- Crutches
- Canes
- Wheelchair
- Walking stick
- Modified cutlery
- Grab rails
- Mobility scooter
- Adapted cars
- Rollators
It’s important to remember that the word “mobility” is not restricted to walking or going from one place to another. It is inclusive of any kind of movement.
On the other hand, “accessibility” refers to the quality of being reached or entered. If you reach out to an accessibility equipment company, you can expect the following types of products:
- Steel inclines and ramps
- Stairlifts
- Elevators
- Vertical lifts
- Ceiling lift systems
- Automatic door openers
In most straightforward words, accessibility equipment includes products primarily designed to remove barriers for people with disabilities and physical challenges. Apart from products, it incorporates architectural improvements such as ramps and raised building entrances that may hinder or limit access to public buildings and residential spaces.
Accessibility equipment improves functionality and efficiency across a space for a person with limited mobility. While mobility is a critical component for an individual’s independence, accessibility indicates an approach that improves access to difficult areas.
Accessibility products are more personalized and specific, and mobility products are more of a generic solution.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT AID TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIVING FOR YOUR DISABLED LOVED ONES
Following are the factors that you need to assess before incorporating any assistive aid:
1. The design and arrangement of your space
2. The flow of your floor space
3. Presence of one or more story
4. Requirement of using stairs
5. Kind of doors installed in your room (whether they are heavy or too tight)
6. Distance of washroom and bedroom for the person in concern
7. Hurdles across entrance areas (where there might be a sudden shift in level and floor material)
8. Safety and functionality across bathroom space
Another essential thing to note here is that while incorporating accessibility installation, there are specific codes and standards that one must stick to while making use of quality accredited devices for the complete safety of a user.
Mobility and accessibility pretty much go hand-in-hand, but they are not synonymous with one another. If you would like to learn how to improve mobility and accessibility for your loved one or seniors staying with you for their better quality of living, browse our website or connect with us directly!
by admin | Oct 4, 2021 | Blogs
In other news, an elderly Eastham couple staying in their 42 year old home got stuck in their living room and were forced to sleep there for over three days because their vertical platform lift would not operate.
The Conclusion? Proper maintenance and upkeep of assistive devices are a must.
Whether new or used, vertical platform wheelchair lifts provide easy accessibility solutions to people with mobility issues who are either convalescing or disabled. A new/ used porch-lift or any other vertical platform lift offers the convenience of moving across spaces while making it possible for them to enter, exit, or even negotiate every architectural barrier a location has to offer.
Proper maintenance ensures safe, worry-free, and smooth lift operation taking away the stress of an unpleasant surprise such as the one the Eastham couple had to go through. Lack of regular upkeep not only disrupts the wheelchair lift service but avoids downtime and unnecessary hassles.
With that being said, here are a few tips to maximize your platform lift investment:
- Daily pre-trip inspections can reveal every potential problem, damage, and issue due to wear and tear.
- Maintain a proper lubrication schedule, and professional upkeep should be performed ideally after a certain number of operating cycles or a regular time interval. The operator’s manual provides more specific details regarding maintenance of the lift.
- Apart from the daily wear and tear due to the usage, other external conditions such as weather, contamination, and other environmental factors may require inspection and appropriate maintenance measures.
- Make sure that in no case the wheelchair lift is not made to carry beyond its capacity. Even if it’s a used vertical platform wheelchair lift, it’s not designed to carry freight. These smart mobility assistive devices have been designed to carry a certain weight to function properly. If a platform lift is used to carry weight beyond its rated weight capacity, damage can occur to the lift.
- Proper installation is a must. Most new or used porch lifts require the installation of an outdoor gate on the upper landing. Other extra modifications might be necessary to prevent damage from shearing hazards.
- Choose a lift that conforms to safety code standards. A reputable manufacturer will typically manufacture their wheelchair lift to conform to current standards.
- Make sure you don’t use the lift unnecessarily. If you have kids at home, the key can be removed which prevents unauthorized use.
- Different wheelchair platform lifts require professional inspection and cleaning depending on the type of drivetrain and the installation location.
Vertical platform wheelchair lifts are an excellent addition to a home for improving access to people struggling with mobility issues. However, regardless of the brand and amount of money you are investing in a wheelchair lift, proper maintenance is necessary to keep it performing at its best. Regular servicing keeps a wheelchair lift operating at its peak. So, keep these tips in mind to prevent future damage and repair costs.
Are you looking for quality refurbished and used vertical platform wheelchair lifts? Independent Living Solutions can help you find an ideal fit within your budget. Browse our online inventory or connect with us for any queries.
by admin | Oct 1, 2021 | Blogs
Restricted mobility stops aged people and people dealing with health conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, etc., from living their life independently. They reluctantly have to rely on others to move from one place to another be it indoors or outdoors. This really damages their sense of independence. However, if seniors or people with limited mobility have a mobility scooter with them, they experience a new level of independence and freedom. These power-operated vehicles run on rechargeable batteries and allow people with mobility issues to get around quickly and easily.
Since there are different types of mobility scooters in the market such as three wheel scooters, long-distance scooters, full-size scooters, and four wheel scooters, it essential to have an idea in mind how you see yourself using a mobility scooter. Doing this will make the decision of buying a mobility scooter easier for you. In this blog, we will talk about four wheel mobility scooter and discuss why it is a better option than three wheel mobility scooter. We have listed some points for this purpose. Let’s take a look at them.
Stability
The foremost thing that makes four wheel scooters better than three wheel ones is their stability. The problem with the latter is that it can tip when entering and exiting curb cuts, dealing with inclines, or making turns at high speed. You won’t have to worry about these problems with a four wheel mobility scooter. If you want a scooter for a wide range of uses, we will recommend you go for a four wheel scooter. However, if you need a scooter for small spaces and indoors, three-wheel scooters are better as they are amazing when it comes to turning in tighter circles.
Comfort
If comfort is something that you really want in a scooter, then you’ve got to get a four wheel scooter. It can offer you a comfortable ride on different types of terrain as its four wheels can effectively absorb bumps along the terrain. You also get better leg room with these scooters and in some models, more room to position your feet thereby providing more comfort. Since a mobility scooter is a vehicle that people with mobility issues will be using a lot throughout the day, it is essential that comfort is taken into account before buying this vehicle.
Safety
Safety is another aspect that cannot be overlooked when buying a mobility scooter. Since four wheel scooters can offer you better stability, it won’t tip while riding over rough or uneven terrain. Four wheels also ensure that weight is distributed evenly, which also plays a key role in keeping the vehicle stable. In addition to all this, these scooters also have a wheelbase that is broader, wider, and sturdier.
As you can see, four wheel mobility scooters are better in a lot of different aspects. However, this does not mean three wheel scooters or other scooters such as heavy duty scooters, portable scooters are not good. Each scooter is designed to meet the needs of the rider. Therefore, you should do proper research before buying a mobility scooter for yourself or a loved one. At Independent Living Solutions, Inc, you can buy all types of mobility scooters in Denver at an affordable price. Call us at (303) 463-8200 to learn more about our products and services.
by admin | Sep 29, 2021 | Blogs
It’s horrible seeing yourself or a loved one struggling with stairs at home. And, why would you do if you can fix the problem with an inclined platform wheelchair lift? These lifts can provide the wheelchair user with the desired support without putting their safety at risk, ensuring improved mobility and self-reliance for the user.
Here’s how:
Stairs – no more barriers
With inclines platform lifts (IPLs) by your side, stairs remain no barriers. They are similar to vertical platform lifts except the way they move. While VPLs move in a vertical direction, these lifts travel along the inclination of your staircase while leaving stairs clear. The best part is, IPLs can be installed on both straight as well as curved staircases.
Convenience at its best
While IPLs require significance space for installation, they are truly worth it. They can be installed on the existing staircase (if they are wide enough) without making much space adjustment. In this way, they are suitable for homes with multiple floors, making it as convenient as possible for your elders.
Smoothness and quietness
For people confined to wheelchairs, it is not just basic arrangements that they need to lead a quality life. They need these arrangements to be as convenient as possible. IPLs make a point here as well. They don’t make a lot of noise and their operation is quite smooth, offering the required peace of mind to the wheelchair user without compromising on mobility.
Cost-efficiency
For long-term mobility requirements, these lifts are among the most cost-efficient ways to ensure mobility in a space with stairs. They seem expensive at first but they pay it back in the long run – making it worth every dollar spent. Your purchase options and preferences may differ from one case to the other. While you may prefer buying a new IPL for a long-term disability, you may want to save money by purchasing a used one for a temporary requirement.
Safety
With restricted mobility comes the risk of getting injured. IPLs put an end to this by providing the wheelchair user with a safe mode of transportation between the floors, ensuring improved mobility and safety altogether. You can further research on this or discuss it with the support team and make a purchase only after being sure about it.
Independence
IPLs provide senior people and the ones with a disability with a platform that supports them in traveling up and down a staircase, promoting mobility and independence. This sense of independence boosts their confidence that is visible in everything they do, from enjoying outdoor activities more to connecting with their surroundings in a better way.
The bottom line
Inclined platform lifts are quite useful for homes with people with a disability. These lifts come with great safety features. You can purchase a new product or go for a used one, whichever best fits your budget.
In case you’re looking for an inclined platform lift, you can reach out to us and get one for your space.
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