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Hand Rail Systems Can Make the Home More Safe

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grab rail

While many seniors prefer to live in their homes for as long as possible, most homes are not designed for maximum safety. As people age, their balance, stability and muscle strength tend to wane. This diminishing vitality, coupled with a concomitant decrease in visual acuity, is the cause of many home accidents. Indeed, falls are the number one cause of injury among seniors, responsible for almost three million emergency room visits and more than 25,000 deaths in Canada and the U.S., annually.

One type of home modification that can help make the home safer is a handrail system. There are three major reasons to install handrails:
• To support walking
• To support overall mobility
• To prevent falls

It is important to understand that railings and banisters are not handrails and should not be confused with them. Railings and banisters may provide some support, but they are generally not strong enough to prevent a fall should a person grab onto it in extremis. A true handrail must withstand at least 500 pounds of force.

In addition, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a handrail needs to be:
• 1¼” – 2″ in diameter
• Round (or equivalent)
• 1½” minimum from the wall
• At least 1½” above any horizontal protrusion
• Continuous on and between stairs, ramps, landings and horizontal extensions at the tops and bottoms of slopes

Handrails can be installed in many different areas of a house. For example, a handrail can be installed on the wall above the bath tub; in a shower or just outside it; next to a sink or toilet; alongside a bed; on a staircase; in a kitchen or work space, or anywhere else where a senior or anyone else who is mobility challenged, requires or desires one. Usually, they are made of metal, such as aluminum, but they can also be made of wood or heavy plastic.

More important than the actual handrail material is the strength of the bracket that attaches it to the wall.Therefore, it is highly advisable that handrail systems be installed by professionals using the appropriate fasteners and fixtures. Do-it-yourself installations may also be available, but instructions must be followed carefully when putting them up. Also, there may be cases where handrails would impede movement or create risks for the elderly if they are installed in an inappropriate location.

At Pacific Mobility, we can assist you in planning the best and most appropriate type of handrail system for your home. Our experienced staff can also install your handrails, providing you the best in safety and reliability.

Knee Walker vs. Crutches – Pros and Cons

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Knee Walker

If you had to choose between using a knee walker versus using crutches after recovering from a broken ankle, foot surgery, or any other operation or injury, you might wish you had the option to choose neither. After all, any assistive mobility device is going to be something that you’re going to have to learn to control and maneuver, not to mention drag around. Of course, choosing neither is an option if you have the time and ability to stay completely off your feet for an extended period of time. However, most people want and need to be able to get around, and the thought of being totally immobilized until well enough to walk unassisted is far from a pleasant thought.

And so, these two devices are really your best choices. Let’s consider their pros and cons:

• Crutches – the Pros: If you have decent upper body strength and mobility, you can usually walk faster with crutches, once you’ve figured out how to use them. Also, walking with crutches will certainly take some work, and there’s nothing wrong with getting some exercise when recuperating from an operation or injury. Also, crutches are fairly inexpensive. You can even rent them from a medical supplier.

• Crutches – the Cons: Crutches can be difficult to maneuver. And because all your weight must be carried on your armpits, you certainly risk irritating them – not to mention the wear and tear on your shoulders, wrists and lower back. Many people with injured legs find crutches too unsteady and unsafe for their use. Also, when your arms and hands are occupied clutching your crutches, you will have more difficulty in using them to open doors, pick things up, etc. Stairs can be particularly difficult to navigate with crutches, especially at the beginning. Finally, crutches are clunky items that are constantly falling over and don’t always fit through doorways, car doors, etc.

• Knee Walkers – the Pros: Knee walkers, because they are low to the floor are generally more stable than crutches. They are cushioned for comfort with space to let you rest a cast or injured leg, without having to put your weight on it. You can zoom around pretty quickly, once you get the steering figured out, and once you stop, you have both hands free. They are fairly simple to use and don’t require any upper body strength. They are less clunky than crutches and the possibility of slipping on slick or wet surfaces is diminished.

• Knee Walkers – the Cons: Knee walkers can be unstable if you lean back or forward too far or too much to one side. Also, they take a while to learn how to go straight. They are slower going than crutches on many surfaces. You cannot go up or down stairs on a knee walker, and if the front wheel base is too wide, you may not be able to go through narrow doorways or halls. Knee walkers are more expensive than crutches.

At Pacific Mobility, we can help you choose the best option for your post-operative or post-injury recovery. We will only sell you what you need, and within your budget, to help you get back on your feet in the quickest time possible. Call us today for a free consultation.

Staying in the Home You Love vs. Moving to Assisted Living

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Most seniors, if given the choice, would choose to remain in their own home for as long as possible rather than move to an assisted living facility. In fact, one study puts the number as high as 90 percent. This is not a mystery. For most of us – seniors included – home is where we’re comfortable; where it’s safe and familiar. We get to sleep in our own bed, eat what and when we like, and have a certain amount of privacy.

By and large, an elderly person who remains at home has a greater measure of independence than a contemporary who lives in an assisted living situation and giving up one’s independence can be difficult. In fact, for some seniors, transitioning to an assisted living community can be psychologically devastating, as it portends the end of one of life’s chapters, and the beginning of an unknown experience out of one’s comfort zone.

However, some seniors who do choose to remain at home may experience social isolation and poor nutrition which can contribute to cognitive decline, health problems, depression, and a diminished quality of life – especially if some of the activities of daily living (ADLs), like dressing, bathing, cooking, cleaning, going up and down stairs, etc. become too difficult. These seniors must come to terms with the situation that is facing them. Either they can stay in the home they love, or they can make the move to assisted living.

Luckily, today, more and more seniors have the option of “aging in place,” as long as they are willing to make certain modifications in the way they live and to the houses in which they live.

For example, even if one is not completely healthy, with home-healthcare, seniors can have their medical needs attended to most satisfactorily without having to leave home. In fact, one study found that those seniors who received in-home care visited the doctor 25 percent fewer times than those that didn’t receive in-home care. Clients with Alzheimer’s or other dementia diseases made almost 50 percent less trips to the doctor. In addition, other in-home services such as housecleaning, non-medical care, shopping, transportation, and food services can help offset the need for an elderly individual to have to struggle with common, everyday chores.

Making the home more “senior-safe” is another tactic that will allow an elderly individual to remain longer in the home he or she loves. Some general home alterations include the widening of doorways, and the installation of grab bars in the bathroom and/or shower, bed rails, and some type of stairlift in homes that contain more than one story. For seniors restricted to a wheel chair, an outdoor ramp or porch lift can enable them go in and out safely and at will. In addition, home monitoring equipment can let family members keep an eye on an aged loved one from a distance.

None of this should suggest that a transfer to assisted living can’t be a viable option for some seniors. There are certainly some advantages for the elderly individual whose needs – both medical and mundane – can be attended to in a professionally operated assisted living facility staffed by competent and caring people. However, for those seniors who wish to stay at home, and know the necessary modifications that are available, aging in place is certainly easier to accomplish now than ever before.

At Pacific Mobility, we are the aging in place experts. Our staff has the knowledge and experience to help you design and implement your home modifications so that you can continue to remain in the home you love for as long as possible. Call us today for a free consultation.

Patient Lifts

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patient lift

A patient lift is an assistive device that allows patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or those receiving home health care, who cannot lift themselves, or are otherwise mobility challenged, to be transferred between a bed, a chair, a wheelchair, or a commode. Patient lifts help ensure the safety of both the patient and his or her caregiver.

There are several different types of patient lifts available, including sit-to-stand lifts, which are often on the floor, and sling lifts which can either be floor-based or attached to a ceiling or an overhead track.

The sit-to-stand lift is designed to help patients who have some mobility, but lack the strength to rise to a standing position from a bed, wheelchair, chair, or commode, yet do have the strength both to sit up and to physically support their weight while standing. They are designed to transfer a patient between two seating surfaces. They employ straps, vests, or belts that usually fit under a patient’s arms and utilize hydraulic power to operate, much like a floor-based automobile jack. Sit-to-stand lifts fix a patient’s legs in position while the lift mechanism gradually moves his or her body into a standing position, and then reverses the process when the patient needs to be seated.

The sling lift, sometimes known as a Hoyer Lift, is used to lift a patient entirely off a bed, chair, wheelchair, or commode. It is used for patients who have either no mobility at all or enough strength to support themselves while standing. The use of a sling lift involves placing a piece of fabric that is attached to a series of hooks or clips, under the patient. The sling must be strong enough to hold the weight of the patient while he or she is suspended in air. Patients who cannot withstand being bent or compressed can be lifted via stretcher sling lifts which are used for supine transfer.

Sling lifts that are permanently installed on the ceiling of a room are called ceiling lifts. Ceiling lifts use the same sling technology as floor sling lifts, with the additional possibility of having a track system attached to the ceiling for the horizontal movement of a patient within his or her room, or into an adjoining room or bathroom. They also free up the floor space that is necessary for a floor lift. Ceiling lifts generally utilize an electric motor to operate their lift mechanism. Sling lifts also come in modular, free-standing styles with overhead track systems similar to those of ceiling lifts. They are less expensive than installed ceiling lifts, and can be moved from room to room as required.

The pressure fit lift is a type of sling lift that provides the function of a typical ceiling lift, without the need for a permanent installation. The overhead track, to which the sling is attached, is mounted between two poles that extend from the floor to the ceiling. This type of lift is ideal for rental situations or wherever a ceiling lift or permanent track installation is not possible or too difficult to mount, safely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkKADjwPUKA

Pool Lifts

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pool lift

In 1990, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. The ADA is one of America’s most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation in that it guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to participate in the mainstream of American life — to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in state and local government programs and services.

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by places of public accommodation, including many private businesses. It requires newly constructed and altered business facilities to be fully accessible to people with disabilities, applying the ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Facilities that don’t meet the standard may face civil penalties of up to $55,000.

For many years, people with disabilities were excluded from participating in many recreational activities, including swimming. The 2010 ADA Standards required that newly constructed or altered swimming pools, wading pools, and spas have an accessible way for people with disabilities to enter and exit the pool. The Standards also provided technical specifications for when a means of entry is accessible, such as, for pool lifts, the location, size of the seat, lifting capacity, and clear floor space.

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice issued guidance titled “ADA 2010 Revised Requirements: Accessible Pools—Accessible Means of Entry and Exit” to assist entities covered by Title III of the ADA, such as hotels and motels, health clubs, recreation centers, public country clubs, and other businesses that have swimming pools, wading pools, and spas, in understanding how the new requirements apply to them.

Large pools (pools with 300 linear feet of pool wall or more) must have two accessible means of entry and exit. One means of entry/exit must be a fixed pool lift or sloped entry; the other entry can be a transfer wall, transfer system, or pool stairs. Small pools (pools with less than 300 linear feet of pool wall) must provide at least one accessible means of entry/exit, which must be either a fixed pool lift or a sloped entry.

A lift, which is essentially an immersible chair affixed to a small crane that’s attached to the pool deck, allows people who are unable to use steps to easily enter and exit a pool. A fixed pool lift is one that is affixed to the pool deck or apron in some fashion. Conversely, a non-fixed lift is not affixed in any way. Many businesses with pools have purchased or own portable (i.e. non-fixed) pool lifts. If that portable lift is affixed to the pool deck, then it could be considered a fixed lift and compliant under the rules. Thus, owners of a portable lift may be able to comply with the ADA requirements by affixing lifts to the pool deck or apron.

Pool lifts are designed by different manufacturers and do vary. One may have a concave seat while another is flat. Some move slightly faster than others, and some can sway a bit during the transfer process. Some lifts may have armrests, a headrest or a seat belt; all are optional accessories. However, ADA guidelines require all pool lifts to have a footrest, a seat measuring at least 16 inches wide, and the ability to support a minimum weight of 300 pounds.

Swimming can be very therapeutic for most folks, with or without disabilities, and private homes with pools can also be fitted with portable or fixed pool lifts which are designed to be independently operated. While private homes do not need to meet the ADA guidelines, it’s still important to recognize which type of lift will work best with different types of pools. For an in-ground pool, a portable or fixed pool lift which can extend downward into the water is likely the best option. For above-ground pools, a pool lift that can extend over and into the pool will allow proper access. Of course, the main priorities, in all cases, are safety and comfort.

If you are interested in finding out more about pool lifts, call or visit us at Pacific Mobility Center. Our trained experts can help you decide the most appropriate pool lift for your pool as well as for your family member with a disability.

Making Bathrooms Safe for Seniors

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shower chair

We like to think that our bathrooms are safe and private places – places where accidents don’t generally happen. But it doesn’t take a lot for a bathroom to become a dangerous place for a frail or elderly senior. According to a recent study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 200,000 Americans are treated in hospital emergency rooms, every year, for bathroom-related injuries. And since more than one in three persons over 65 fall each year, it’s safe to say that many of those who receive emergency treatment are elderly.

By and large, bathrooms have many hard and slippery surfaces, making them especially hazardous for individuals with mobility challenges, such as poor muscle strength or bad balance. But before one can make bathroom trouble spots safer for seniors, it’s important to know where and how bathroom accidents occur. Most bathroom falls occur while getting in and out of the tub or shower; sitting down and getting up from the toilet; and walking while attempting to use towel bars, sink tops, or other objects for support.

The first modification that can be made in a shower is getting rid of any lip that has to be stepped over getting in or out. If possible, a traditional shower stall can be replaced with a walk-in model. If that is not possible, or even if it is, grab bars should also be installed close to the shower opening to supply balance support. Another bar, or set of bars, should be installed in the shower, as well. A shower chair is an easy fix to supply stability as well as a place to rest for a senior who can’t stand for long periods. Another way to modify a shower for safety is to install a hand-held shower head with a long enough hose so that its user doesn’t have to stretch or bend.

Getting in and out of a bathtub can be very difficult for a frail senior. Here, again, well-placed grab bars can be helpful. For floor to tub transfers, a bath bench is another modification that can promote safety. Two of the bench’s legs are placed outside of the tub and the other two, within it. The user sits on the bench and swings his or her legs over the side, and then slides into the tub, without having to stand up. Of course, for both tubs and showers, non-slip mats are necessary inside, and non-slip rugs should be placed on the outside.

Toilets are another potential trouble spot, but there are several modifications that can be made. Raising the toilet seat several inches reduces the need to squat and the distance that has to be covered. Additional safety features include brackets or locking clamps that stabilize the seat on the toilet rim. Also, grab bars can be attached either to the wall near the toilet, or to the toilet, itself.

Of course, bathrooms should be well-lit, with towels, soap, and toiletries within easy reach. All surfaces, walls and floors, included, should be clean and free of any soap scum that makes them more slippery. Finally, the bathroom should be as free as possible of any fragile items or those that can fall and break.

At Pacific Mobility we provide all of the necessary safety items and equipment that can help make your bathroom safe for seniors. We can also help you make the best choices for any extensive bathroom modifications that you might wish to make. Call or visit us today.

Getting in and Out of a Vehicle

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Many mobility-challenged people still need, or prefer, to be able to travel by car or truck either as a driver or a passenger. Luckily, the art and science of vehicle conversion has come a long way in recent years and these individuals have a wide range of choices when it comes outfitting an automobile, truck, or van with the necessary accommodations.

Picking both the right type of vehicle and the best kind of conversion depends on many factors. Perhaps the most important is determining the nature and extent of someone’s mobility challenges. Some disabled drivers who are able to get around without a wheelchair may also be able to get by with less than a fully-converted, wheelchair-accessible van. For these individuals, simply purchasing a sedan or coupe with a low and accessible seat height may be sufficient.

However, individuals with greater mobility challenges should definitely consider a vehicle equipped with seating that allows safe and easy access and egress. Several types are available. A turnout chair provides trouble-free access to vehicles that are lower to the ground. The seat rotates about 90 degrees and slides out a few inches over the doorsill. Once it is occupied it can be moved back to its original interior position for travel. Reversing the procedure allows a driver or passenger to exit the vehicle, safely. A turnout seat can be either manually or electronically controlled.

The next level up in this department is a turnout seat that not only rotates, but also can recline slightly for extra headroom, while it lowers toward the ground, just outside the car. Finally, there are rotating chairs that can come completely out of a vehicle and then lower towards the ground. They, too, can be electronically controlled either with a hand control unit, or power buttons installed within the seat or car door.

Other adaptation options include wheelchair lifts, hand controls, and mechanized lifts, called “curbsiders,” that can be fitted into the rear of a truck or van in order to load or unload a motorized scooter.

Before considering what type of vehicle adaptation is the right one for you, you should always consult an expert in the field. Here at Pacific Mobility we have the experience and expertise to help you select the most appropriate conversion or adaptation for your mobility challenges that will both suit your needs and fit within your budget. Call us today for a free consultation.

https://youtu.be/ajy2TH0b7OY

Different Types of stairlifts and Their Benefits

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Chair-lift

For mobility challenged individuals who need a way to go up and down a flight of stairs in their homes, there are several different types of stairlifts available. The most recognizable type is the straight stairlift that attaches to the stair treads by way of a straight rail on which a chair can glide up and down. These lifts are suitable for those users who can walk, but not climb, and don’t need to transport anything up and down but themselves, and maybe items that can be held on their lap.

The standard variation of the straight stairlift is the curved model that has a rail that can fit the shape of a winding or curved staircase. Both the straight and curved stairlift most commonly have a seat that is either fixed, folds up and down, or swivels toward or away from the wall. The kind of seat installed will depend both on the needs of the user and the space available on the stairs and landings of a particular home.

stairlifts can be operated either by battery or by a home’s electrical system. While batteries will have to be replaced every few years, those running on house current will never need that type of maintenance. On the other hand, electrical lifts won’t work if there is a power failure.

The standing stairlift is a variation of the lift device. It can be used by people who can’t sit but are able to stand. In order for a standing stairlift to operate effectively, there must be enough headroom in the staircase for a standing individual to travel safely. The standing lift is also suitable for homes with very narrow staircases or ones that for some reason can’t accommodate a seated lift.

Platform stairlifts are another variation. They are designed to be large and strong enough to hold a wheelchair, or in some cases, a small or mid-sized scooter. They are appropriate for individuals who can’t transfer from a sitting position in a chair or scooter to a chair in a standard stairlift. They are also ideal for older and disabled people who are wheelchair bound and need to stay in their chairs no matter what floor they are on.

Finally, although not considered a stairlift, per se, the vertical “through floor” lift has a track that can attach to a wall as it traverses through a hole in the ceiling/floor. It is an option for a home that cannot accommodate an ordinary lift, for example, one whose staircase is too narrow or has a spiral shape design.

At Pacific Mobility, we will help you choose the best stairlift option for your home by carefully explaining the benefits of all the different types we offer.