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Should Building Homes for “Aging in Place” Become a Priority for Builders?

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In the coming decades, increasing life expectancy, a declining birth rate, and the aging of the baby boom generation will dramatically increase the number and proportion of the U.S. population over the age of 65.

Most seniors indicate that they would prefer to age in place – either staying in their current home or choosing from a range of affordable, age-appropriate housing options within their community. To make these options viable, builders will increasingly have to build and adapt homes and communities to meet the changing needs of aging residents.

With this growing cohort dominating the country’s wealth, designing homes for the over-50 buyer will become more important than ever and could drive housing trends for the years to come. And, in addition to the demands of the marketplace, a combination of public policies, and public and private strategic initiatives, is seeking to meet the health and housing needs of the rising senior population with explicit support for the aging in place concept.

For example, the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program provides capital advances to finance the construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of structures that will serve as supportive housing for very low-income elderly persons, including the frail elderly, and provides rent subsidies for the projects to help make them affordable.Similarly, Section 231 of the National Housing Act allows HUD to insure mortgage loans for construction or rehabilitation of rental housing for elderly and disabled renters.

To promote the adoption of accessible design principles in the private market, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) created a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist program that trains and certifies housing professionals in aging-friendly design, and the Andrus Gerontology Center at the University of Southern California offers an Executive Certificate in Home Modification.

Already, builders are beginning to construct homes that incorporate features for aging adults, including:

• A side-door entrance with no steps to offer an accessible entrance without a ramp or lift in front.
• Sinks and vanity cabinets that are positioned at 36- and 32-inch heights, with sink cabinet doors and thresholds which can be removed to provide wheelchair access.
• A toilet that is set in a larger space for wheelchair access.
• A barrier-free shower with grab bars and a seat for better safety.
• A first-floor bedroom which provides the option for one-level living and can also act as a home office or other space if not needed as a bedroom.
• Hard-surface flooring to provide easier mobility for anyone using a wheelchair or assistive device.
• A peninsula counter-top in the kitchen that is set 30 inches high to offer both a sitting area for light meals as well as a lowered work surface where a cook or helper can sit instead of stand.
• Storage for everyday items at reachable heights with several easy-access drawers with cabinet pulls, which are easier to grip than smaller cabinet knobs.
• A roomy garage to provide enough space for easily getting into and out of a vehicle.
• Staircases that have handrails, ideally one on each side.
• Motion sensors that provide hands-free lighting.
• For those who can afford it, an elevator built into first- and second-floor closets.

Whether these modifications are accomplished through retrofitting older homes or designing accessible new homes, aging-friendly modifications can adapt to people’s changing needs, allowing them to age in their homes more successfully. And smart builders will make building homes for aging in place, a priority.

Inspirational People With Disabilities

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You don’t need to be a celebrity to benefit from the highest-quality products for home care, mobility and accessibility! While famous people with disabilities can often afford custom-fabricated equipment, the staff at Pacific Mobility, Inc. provides the customized solutions and attention-to-detail that customers deserve. We often look to the stories of well-known personalities to better understand the challenges that face our clients. A great resource for staying connected are the social media profiles of celebrities with disabilities. Learning about the ways they have overcome their disabilities can be motivating to those who people with physical limitations themselves. Here are seven physically-challenged people well worth following online:

Professor Stephen William Hawking, CH, CBE, FRS, FRSA, at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge..Photograph © Jason Bye.t: 07966 173 930.e: mail@jasonbye.com.w: http://www.jasonbye.com.
Professor Stephen William Hawking, CH, CBE, FRS, FRSA, at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge..Photograph © Jason Bye.t: 07966 173 930.e: mail@jasonbye.com.w: http://www.jasonbye.com.

Stephen Hawking is an internationally renowned physicist. He has lived with MND (Motor Neuron Disease) for more than 40 years. Doctors told him he wouldn’t live two years beyond the age of 21 when he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He is unable to talk, breathe easy, walk and hold up his head in an upright position.

Sue Austin is a British artist who has been using a wheelchair for two decades due to an extended illness. Doctors informed her of her limitations but she pushed forward and now inspires people around the world as she scuba dives with her innovative underwater wheelchair creating beautiful visual art.

Nick Vujicic is a best-selling author and well-known motivational speaker. He has tetra-amelia syndrome, which means he was born with no limbs.

Santina Muha is an actress, writer, host, public speaker, comic, and media consultant. She was involved in a car accident at the age of five that left her paralyzed.

John Hockenberry is a Peabody and Emmy Award winning journalist and author. He has been using a wheelchair since age 19, when he suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident.

Tatyana McFadden is a Russian-born United States Paralympian athlete that competes in the T54 category. She has attended multiple Summer Paralympic Games and has won 10 medals.

Itzhak Perlman is a Israeli-American violinist and conductor. His legs were paralyzed permanently when he was four years old due to polio.

Not only are we certified by the top industry organizations, we have also been recognized as one of the best in San Diego and Orange counties for uniquely personal service! Read our ratings and reviews to learn more about how well we treat our clients!

CEAC Certified Environmental Access Consultant

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In the U.S., the physically challenged population is a rapidly growing segment already estimated at greater than 49 million people. Recent advances in medical technology have enhanced the life quality of catastrophically injured and seriously ill individuals. People are also living longer, and in terms of accessibility, the physically challenged population now includes the elderly, who add significantly to the number of persons depending on specialists in accessible home modifications and independent living solutions to address their aging-in-place needs.

Currently, there are two certifications available to Remodelers, General Contractors, Designers, Architects, Equipment Providers, Healthcare Consultants, Independent Living Specialists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Rehabilitation Specialists, Case Managers, Public Health Nurses, Assistive Technology Specialists, Life Care Planners, and other professionals who are involved in the business of rehabbing and/or working in homes for the elderly and the physically challenged, who prefer to remain independent but also require home modifications in order to remain in a safe and functional environment.

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The Certified Environmental Access Consultant (C.E.A.C) is administered by the Association of Healthcare Internal Auditors (AHIA). The C.E.A.C. certification was created to reduce the disparity in training and practice found among professionals who evaluate the environmental access needs of the aging-in-place and physically challenged, and to promote independence and empowerment among the physically challenged and elderly. The C.E.A.C. credential was launched to answer the distinct need for formal education, validation, and credibility in this rapidly exploding field.

The C.E.A.C. credential is recognized by payers (i.e. claims adjusters, grant administrators, case managers, risk managers, health care professionals, federal and state social service directors, professional organizations, consumers) and others who continually seek qualified specialists in accessible home modifications and independent living solutions to complete design specifications, building, remodeling, code compliance consulting, ADL assessments, and aging-in-place needs.

The Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS) program was developed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in collaboration with Home Innovation Research Labs, the NAHB 50+ Housing Council, and AARP, Inc. The CAPS designation program teaches the technical, business management, and customer service skills essential to competing in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry: home modifications for the aging-in-place.

Individuals with the CAPS designation are trained in the needs of the aging population, common remodeling projects and expenditures, codes and standards, product ideas and resources. During their three-day training period, CAPS students learn techniques and strategies for establishing a sustainable, competitive, remodeling business with the senior market in mind.

The Pacific Mobility Center, San Diego’s #1 mobility resource, holds both the C.E.A.C. and CAPS certifications, making it the most intelligent choice for your aging-in-place needs, or those of your physically-challenged loved ones. That means that we understand the remodeling market and the technology and tools available, better than anyone else in the business.

Call us at Pacific Mobility Center for information on common remodeling projects, product ideas, and home modification resources.

Using Mobility Products to Stay Safe as You Get Older

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As an individual ages, muscles become weaker, coordination more problematic, and reaction times tend to lag. For some elderly people, the inability to retain one’s sense of balance can presage a dangerous situation – one in three adults 65 and older falls each year and older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than they are for injuries from other causes.

For these older adults, common-sense ways to prevent falls abound. For getting around, a cane or a walker can help steady one’s gait and add leverage for getting up and sitting down. When balance issues become severe, a wheelchair may be employed, greatly reducing the chances of a sudden fall. Seniors who have mobility challenges while living in a multi-story home should investigate the possibilities of installing a stairlift.

There are many ways in which home modifications can also prevent the type of accident due to decreased strength and poor balance. Handrails are wall fixtures that provide support and stability. When properly mounted, they are able to bear the weight of a person when walking, rising, bending over, or standing up. They can be installed in any number of areas in the home, including: on the staircase, alongside the bed, near living-room furniture, in the kitchen, and even in the garage where a handrail can be reached through an open car door.

Bathrooms are particularly dangerous places. Up to 80 percent of falls in the home are in the bathroom. While anyone can stumble and fall in the bathroom, having poor muscle strength and balance is strongly associated with increased risk. Most falls occur while:
• Getting in and out of the tub or showers
• Sitting down and getting up from the toilet, and
• Walking and attempting to use towel bars, sink tops or other objects to support balance.

In addition, there are certain environmental features or hazards that add to the risk of falling. These include:
• Insufficiently secured towel racks that could fall when gripped for support
• Shower chairs that are not slip resistant
• Bathtubs that are difficult to step into and out of
• Sliding shower doors that could move unexpectedly when entering and exiting the tub
• Slippery bathtub and shower floor surfaces
• Slippery floor tiles, especially when wet, and
• Low toilets heights that are difficult to get up from easily.

Luckily, bathrooms can be modified to decrease the risk of accident. Grab bars added to the bathroom provide a great measure of safety. They can be installed above the bathtub, in the shower cubicle and just outside it, next to the wash basin, and beside the toilet. Other bathroom modifications include: bath benches and shower chairs, raised toilet seats, and in some cases more complex bath lifts and bathroom transfer systems.

Seniors with balance issues should also consider investing in better lighting throughout their homes, and especially on their staircases. Poorly lit areas make it harder for individuals to distinguish where steps start and end and this can lead to insecure footing, causing falls or slips.

Another way to prevent falls is to make sure that all rugs in the house are slip-proofed by having them secured to the floor with double-sided tape. In addition, seniors who are prone to falling because of poor balance or weak muscles should always wear rubber-soled, low-heeled shows that fully support their weight. Wearing only socks or smooth-soled shoes on stairs or waxed floors can be unsafe.

At Pacific Mobility, we not only have the best products available, we have the experience and expertise to help you address your mobility challenges based on your individual needs and within your budget. Call or visit us today and we will be happy to serve you.

How to Keep Your Stairlift in Good Working Order

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Once you’ve decided to invest in a good quality stairlift, your next decision should be committing to keeping it in good working order, just as you would with any other piece of expensive machinery such as an automobile or other major, household appliance. Of course, an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure. So before getting into the specifics of chairlift maintenance, make sure you follow these pre-emptive tips:

• Keep the stairway free of obstructions and never operate your stairlift if there are people or pets on the stairs.
• Do not allow children to play on or with the stairlift – ever.
• Do not exceed the stairlift’s maximum weight allowance or try to carry more than one person at a time.
• Do not allow liquids to come into contact with any of the stairlift’s mechanisms.
• Make sure to keep the stairlift on charge when not in use.

Next: Read the instruction manual to familiarize yourself with the precise model you own. Contact the manufacturer if you have any questions and make sure you understand if there are any specific things your model requires to keep it in good shape. While you can have a professional maintain your stairlift, and, in fact, you should have it checked out, at least yearly, by a qualified technician, you should try to have a family member perform the following upkeep regimen if you can’t manage it, yourself.

• Clean the track regularly to keep it free of dust and dirt. It is usually sufficient to simply wipe it down with a soft, damp cloth every week or so. In some cases, an anti-dust product can be used. Avoid the use of detergents and solvents.
• After cleaning the track, lubricate it with a small amount of lubricant such as petroleum jelly.
• Check that the swivel seat is functioning properly and is not loose or wobbly. Tighten any screws that require it.
• Check the stairlift’s arm and footrests and spray any sticky hinges with some WD40.
• Replace your model’s battery as instructed by the manual in order to keep your stairlift from stopping unexpectedly.

Between normal maintenance, always be on the lookout for any of the following signs of trouble:

• Your stairlift is making more noise than usual when in use.
• Your stairlift is making unusual noises.
• Your stairlift starts slowly or moves in a jerky manner.
• There are error codes in the stairlift’s display unit.
• You hear beeping, which may be an alert to an error code or a sign of a low battery.

Your stairlift allows you to stay in your multi-story home with a measure of independence if you are experiencing a decrease in mobility due to advanced age, illness, or accident. Keeping it in good running order will enable you to utilize it in the safest and most comfortable manner possible.
If you have any questions about your stairlift, or stairlift maintenance, call us at Pacific Mobility. We are always happy to help.

For more information and stairlift troubleshooting, please refer to our Stairlift Troubleshooting page.

Benefits of Getting a Power Lift Chair

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A power lift chair can be an extremely helpful accessory for people whose mobility challenges make it difficult for them to rise out of a chair from a sitting position, or to sit down from a standing one due to pain or lack of muscle strength. A power lift chair is a particularly beneficial purchase for the home that seniors with mobility issues can use to retain their independence while remaining in their homes. They also help provide safety and convenience for nurses, family members, and other caregivers, who risk injury from assisting those who need help getting up from a sitting position or returning to one.

A power lift chair is constructed like a traditional recliner with the added feature of a powerful electric motor located (single & dual options available) in its base which is connected to hand controls that allow its user to manage the speed and angle of the lifting mechanism. Most power lift chairs can achieve all the positions available on the best recliners.

Three basic power lift chair styles are the two-position chair, the three-position chair, and the infinite position chair. The two-position lift chair is built to recline as much as 45 degrees. It is designed for the casual user and is not ideal for napping, or prolonged periods of sitting. The three-position lift chair reclines to an almost flat angle, which more closely mimics the range of a standard recliner. It is a better alternative for those who intend to nap while in it. The infinite-position lift chair is the most expensive type, but a good choice for a person who will be spending a lot of time sitting or lying in it. It generally offers more comfort and therapeutic options, such as dual motors which allow the footrest and the seat back to move independently, and a greater range and combination of positions. Typically the infinite position chairs all user to lay in Trendelenburg Position (heart below lower extremities) which is very helpful in eliminating swelling in the legs.

In choosing the most appropriate model, an individual will have to consider not only his or her mobility needs and functionality requirements, but also such things as price, number of positions the chair offers, specialty features such as heat and/or massage, and how and where the chair will fit in the home. A critical consideration is the weight and height of the individual. Most power lift chairs can support over 300 pounds. A person’s height is important because the distance that the chair needs to lift off of the ground to facilitate a safe and pain-free exit is based on the height of its intended user.

At Pacific Mobility, our experts can help you determine which power lift chair will be the best one to meet your needs while fitting your budget. Our chairs come in a wide variety of styles, fabrics, colors, and advanced features. Come and visit or contact us today.

Stairlift Rentals in Southern California

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If you have significant mobility challenges and getting up and down stairs is difficult, buying and installing a permanent stairlift in your home can allow you to navigate between floors safely and efficiently. However, there are times when buying a stairlift may not be the best solution for you or a loved one. Depending upon the circumstances, renting a stairlift might actually be a more prudent choice.

elan-stairlift3stairlift rental is preferable for people who are recovering from an accident or surgery and who will, at some point, regain their mobility. Rental is also a good choice for houseguests who cannot walk up and down stairs, or for anyone who isn’t sure how long they might need a mechanical lift to help them. In addition, renting a stairlift will usually be less expensive than buying one, providing the rental period is not prolonged. Another benefit of renting a stairlift is the fact that any maintenance and repairs will generally be borne by the rental company.

Also, when you rent a stairlift, it gives you time to decide if it is the right one to eventually buy. Not all stairlifts are appropriate for all people – they come in many different configurations and designs, with a wide array of different controls and accessories. In addition, not every stairlift will be the best fit for every house. So, trying out a lift before buying it can prevent you from making an expensive mistake. Finally, in most cases, if you do decide to buy the lift you rented, a good percentage of the rental fees can be applied to the purchase price.

At Pacific Mobility, we have a rental program for our straight stairlifts that just might be the right choice for folks with temporary injuries, or for any other situation that does not require a permanent installation. Renting from us can save you money, and if you do decide to buy, your payment process will be easy to manage. Call or visit us today, for more information.

What Type of Power Mobility Device (PMD) is the Right Piece of Equipment?

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Power Mobility Devices (PMDs) help mobility-challenged individuals conserve energy because they require less physical effort to operate than walking or propelling a manual wheelchair. When choosing the best type of PMD, many factors need to be considered, including a person’s:

  • Medical condition
  • Physical status
  • Functional abilities
  • Performance of daily activities
  • Home and work environment
  • Transportation options

Two of the most common PMDs are motorized scooters and power wheelchairs.

Motorized scooters allow mobility-challenged persons to travel long distances, independently. They are available with three or four wheels and come in different sizes with different weight capacities. They are a good choice for those who can sit down and stand up from a chair, safely, and have good trunk control and balance while sitting. Motorized scooters are battery-powered devices that operate by pressing hand throttles and they are controlled through a mechanical tiller system. So in order to navigate one, an individual must have good hand and finger strength and coordination. Motorized scooters can often be disassembled for easy transport.

Some drawbacks of motorized scooters include their size – the length of some types can make it difficult to turn around in small places; and some offer limited seating options which can’t be modified if an individual’s physical condition changes.

A Power wheelchair is a good option for individuals who don’t have the strength or capacity to propel a manual wheelchair, nor the trunk support to maintain proper balance and posture required for a scooter. They are a good choice for those who have been using a scooter, but become unable to because of a decline in their physical condition.

Power wheelchairs come in three different types according to the location of the drive wheels – rear-wheel, mid-wheel, and front-wheel. They have a wide range of seating systems depending upon an individual’s needs and comfort requirements. Power wheelchairs are generally operated with a set of buttons and a joystick mounted on one of its armrests, however the control interface can be customized and many different options are available.

Power wheelchairs make it less problematic to go over difficult terrain and they are generally easier than a scooter to maneuver in different environments because their turning radius is often much smaller. Their limitations include their weight and the fact that they cannot normally be disassembled for transport, generally requiring the use of a ramp or automated lift in order to get them into a van.

A third option for some people is the pushrim-activated power-assist wheelchair (PaPAW). These devices were developed to help people who have difficulty propelling a manual wheelchair over surfaces encountered on a daily basis, such as ramps, carpets, grass, curb cuts, and gravel. They are a good option for people with enough strength to propel themselves in most environments, but need some assistance to navigate difficult terrains.

PaPaWs are units that attach to manual wheelchairs and include specialized wheels with battery-operated motors mounted on the frame. They have sensors on the wheels’ pushrims that amplify the user’s strength when propelling the chair. Their drawbacks include their added weight and the fact that they add an inch or two to the width of a manual wheelchair.

If you require a PMD, you should visit us at Pacific Mobility. We have the expertise to help you decide which PMD is best suited for your particular situation and we will work with you to evaluate and assess your needs in order to find the right device for the right price.