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Carrying Good Habits Learned from COVID-19 into the Future

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As we move past the pandemic and begin to resume normal everyday life, there are some habits and hygiene that should follow each and every one into the future. From handwashing to social distancing, there are some habits learned from COVID-19 that make sense moving forward for holistic health and wellbeing now through post-pandemic.

 Coronavirus has certainly changed the way that we all do things now, from visiting the doctor to the way we bid family and friends goodbye. The stay-at-home orders and social distancing have forced both citizens and businesses to get creative, while also adhering to the guidelines asserted by municipalities and the federal government, including the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Where do mobility aids and devices fit in to this equation?

Here are some COVID-19 habits that should be adopted moving forward:

Healthy Hand Hygiene

Are you still following good hand hygiene guidelines? Washing hands with hot, soapy water is a good start; but you may need to incorporate disposable paper towels and alcohol-based sanitizer, as well. The lack of handwashing supplies continues to be unpredictable, primarily due to the demand, but some retailers are restocking these essentials so keep an eye out to refresh your own stash of these products.

Washing hands for a full 20-seconds each time you come in or leave the home can help. Some have resorted to wearing disposable gloves when out and about or when in contact with someone else. Wearing gloves can be a helpful way to prevent transmission if someone in the home is feeling under the weather. The best habit that you can carry forward is frequent and thorough hand washing with hot water; it is that simple.

Safety and Sanitization

Along with sanitizing your hands comes sanitization of other surfaces around the home- including your mobility aids, too. Invest in alcohol-based wipes to clean and sanitize handles, handlebars, remotes, levers- any areas that are frequently touched by hands. Talk to your mobility vendor or consult with the manufacturer’s recommendations for products that will clean and sanitize these surfaces safely and without doing damage to the device.

Social Distancing

Seniors with compromised immune systems benefit from Coronavirus-era social distancing guidelines. The implementation of this regulation widely could prevent transmission of a lot of illnesses, germs, and bacteria- including COVID-19. While it has taken people a while to understand and embrace social distancing, many regions continue to prohibit large gatherings of more than ten people- or have limits on the number of patrons, guests, or shoppers allowed in a venue at one time.

It makes sense to stay a few feet away, and to curb kissing, hugging, and handshakes, while the pandemic still poses valid risks for seniors or other populations. As we adjust to saying goodbye with a wave or showing affection by blowing a kiss rather than close personal contact, the risk for contracting illness during this difficult time is hopefully being reduced widely.

Protective Face Masks

When you do go out in public, do you wear a face mask? The jury is out on whether handcrafted face masks curb the risk of transmitting COVID-19, but since it is droplets of saliva that carry this virus, it could be an effective protocol to continue practicing when out in public places. Furthermore, it helps keep your own body fluids contained, which may help protect others from you, as well.

Need a mask? These can be found crafted by artisans and sewing hobbyists across the globe; check online selling platforms to find inexpensive masks that are machine washable, too. It is important that you wash the mask frequently when worn to prevent respiratory illness. Want to make your own? There are dozens of online tutorials that can instruct you how to make your own mask- whether you sew or not.

Simply Stay at Home

Another effective strategy to combat the spread of illness is to simply stay at home. While you may have essential business to conduct, it makes the most sense and is safest to simply avoid unnecessary travel, trips, and activities until the risks have subsided. When will this be? While it is purely speculative, those at risk for serious medical issues, like seniors or those with health conditions, should plan on staying at home as much as possible in the imminent future, per the CDC, and limit non-essential business outside the home whenever feasible.

Experts suggest that it takes approximately 30 days for a behavior to become instilled as a habit. Since the pandemic has lasted well beyond a month, many of us are engaging in hygiene habits and Coronavirus protocols instinctually and without reservation. Can these practices keep you safe and healthy beyond COVID-19? Health care professionals say ‘yes’ and encourage us all to continue being vigilant in this time of uncertainty.

 When the fear of COVID-19 passes, don’t forget about some of the habits learned during the pandemic. Many of these protocols make sense moving forward, to ensure safety and illness prevention in the future. To learn more, talk to the professionals today at Pacific Mobility; they offer insight and expertise into mobility aids and equipment to help make life safer, easier, and more accessible. 

Pool Lifts

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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.

Hip Fracture Patients' Mobility Benefits From Home-Based Exercises

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hipfractureOver 250,000 people in the United States experience a hip fracture every year, many of them elderly. Unfortunately, according to a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, over 80 percent who could previously walk without assistance and climb stairs do not regain those abilities after 2 years. According to physical therapist Nancy K. Latham, a research assistant professor at the Health and Disability Research Institute at the Boston University School of Public Health, “The epidemiological data is so strong [and shows] that most of them never get close to where they were with walking and mobility before the fracture.” Because most of these fractures are caused by falls, many patients become fearful of further falls. Patients often allow this fear, combined with the limited mobility they experience following the fracture, to trap them into a mindset of worry over another fall, leading them to become permanently immobilized. “People experience a huge loss of self-confidence over [a hip fracture] that can start a spiral of inactivity where people become very fearful of moving,” Latham said.

To combat these fears, the authors of the study had participants view a video that addressed fears of falling and engage in a home-based exercise program with goals and rewards. These programs were designed by qualified physical therapists, who visited participants in their homes several times to help them get started. The authors weren’t aiming for returning the participants to top-notch physical fitness; they merely tried to help the participants regain the ability to move in ways common in daily living, such as sitting and standing, walking, reaching, and climbing stairs. Accordingly, the exercises were designed to mimic these activities in order to build the strength and confidence of the participants.

After six months, the study participants, who averaged between 78 and 79 years old, experienced significant improvement in functional mobility and balance. Three months after the study ended, researches followed up with participants, and found that the majority kept gains in mobility and many had experienced even greater gains since the study’s end.

Recovery isn’t an overnight process, however, and in the meantime, victims of hip fractures often benefit from the use of mobility and safety products such as chair lifts, shower grab bars, walkers, and stair lifts. These products enhance the safety of those with a history or risk of falling or who have other mobility challenges. They allow people to stay in or return earlier to their homes, enhancing their quality of life and saving the massive expense of assisted living, nursing, or rehabilitation facilities.

Pacific Mobility Center is San Diego’s top choice for state-of-art mobility products. Our family owned-and-run business offers the largest local selection of products from top manufacturers at the guaranteed lowest price. We also offer same-day installation from our certified technicians, allowing you and your loved ones peace of mind. Come in to either of our showrooms or contact us today for a free quote and see what we can do for you!

This video explains more about hip fracture symptoms and treatment:

Start the New Year Off Right in San Diego With Pacific Mobility Solutions!

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pac_graph.gifThe new year is here. We here at Pacific Mobility Center are incredibly excited about 2014 and the possibilities it offers, and we think you should be, too. Why are we so excited? We are excited for you, our clients, of course. You see, we firmly believe that 2014 is going to be your year. The New Year represents the opportunity and the possibility of making new decisions in order to bring about change. This is the time of year when we as human beings reflect on our lives over the past year, congratulating ourselves on our successes and resolving to learn from our mistakes. For you, our valued customers, we believe that 2014 is the year in which you can make the resolution to finally reclaim your mobility. It’s time for the mobility-challenged everywhere to stand up and say no more: no more feeling like a burden to family and friends, no more watching your world slowly shrink down into a smaller and smaller bubble, and no more living only half of your life because you’re passing up opportunities and activities that you would have once been able to enjoy.

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At Pacific Mobility Center, we understand these frustrations and challenges. Our goal for the last 65 years has been to improve the quality of life of our customers, and this goal continues to motivate us on a daily basis. To accomplish this, we offer a wide array of products specifically designed to help liberate the mobility-challenged. From porch lifts and stairlifts to powerchairs, scooters, and canes; from wheelchair ramps to vehicle hand controls and other mobility accessories, we offer the highest quality products at the lowest prices in San Diego. We also strive continuously to make the purchasing process as easy, transparent, and painless as possible for our customers. Many of our products are available for testing in the store. We also offer easy online quotes on installation of a new stairlift by our factory-trained and state-licensed technicians to relieve you of the hassle of having to make and keep a sales appointment.
Resolve to make 2014 the year that you reclaim your mobility and reclaim your life! Come see what we have to offer you and experience the difference that shopping with a locally-owned and family-run business makes. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or for a free quote, or stop by our beautiful showroom to browse our products. Also, be sure to check out and subscribe to our monthly newsletter for money saving deals delivered directly to your email inbox. Let Pacific Mobility Center help you make 2014 the year that you start loving your life again and not just living it. Contact or come and see us today.

For more on how a Bruno stairlift can improve your mobility, watch this short video:

Free Online Quotes Are Here!

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stairlift1Pacific Mobility Center is proud to announce a new feature to our website. We now offer our customers the chance to get a free, online quote on a new stairlift from the comfort of their own home, at any time of day or night, without the inconvenience of having a salesperson come to their homes. Through our new Online Quote Center, a user can easily and quickly get an online quote in minutes simply by clicking here, selecting a few options and filling out an easy form.

Have you ever wanted a quote on a new stairlift but did not want to jump through all the hoops? Calling the company, making an appointment, clearing your schedule, having a stranger into your home, getting the “hard sell”? Who needs it? The online shopping experience has revolutionized how the world shops, and this is doubly true for the mobility-challenged. We wanted to bring that experience into an arena that it has traditionally overlooked. Well, we here at Pacific Mobility Center say no more! This is just another way for us to prove that we understand our clients’ needs and have their best interests in mind. At Pacific Mobility Center, we hear you and we want you to know we understand. That’s why we have gone through the time, trouble, and expense of setting up this new system. Now our customers can get the quote they want on the new stairlift they need from the convenience of their own homes. We don’t just offer any old stairlifts, either. We offer stairlifts by Bruno, a world-leader. We also use our own, in-house, factory-trained technicians to install and maintain those stairlifts.

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What is a stairlift? A stairlift is a device, installed on existing stairs, either indoor or outdoor, that allows users to traverse the stairs without walking while not impairing the normal function of the stairs. Want more information? See our blog post on stairlifts here.

For a limited time, we are also offering $200 off the purchase of any Bruno stairlift. There has never been a better time to get the stairlift you need, at the price you want. Reclaim the upper floors of your house today. Sleep in your own bed again. Regain your freedom and your mobility.

Why do we do all this? At Pacific Mobility Center, we are locally-owned and family-operated. We care about our customers, and we’ve been in business for decades for that one simple reason. It is the driving force behind everything we do. Come in or contact us today and see what a difference we can make for you!

More on stairlifts here:

Don’t Let Mobility Keep You From Voting!

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New laws passed in many states requiring voters to present valid state or federal identification are bringing back to light a subject often overlooked in the modern American political landscape: disabled voter disenfranchisement. As many as 37 states have passed or are considering voted ID legislation, which could potentially affect, amongst other groups, disabled and elderly voters disproportionately. Disabled and elderly voters are less likely to have ID, and would be prevented from voting under the new or proposed laws. There are also other alarming trends.
A recent study by Rutgers University reveals disabled and elderly voters were disproportionately less likely to vote, a new article by NBC reports. According to the study, disabled and elderly voters were 7% less likely to vote than other groups of voters. The reason? In short, mobility. The study reports that despite court rulings, less than 33% of polling places were completely obstruction-free.
How is this possible in modern America? How can a federal court order be so blatantly flouted? One way state and local governments dodge the order is by allowing absentee ballots and curbside voting. Absentee ballots are ballots mailed in by the voter ahead of the election date. Curbside voting involves mobility-challenged voters staying in their cars while poll workers bring their ballot out to them and assist them in voting. Both of these methods, however, have drawbacks.
Many disabled voters feel that while these options are convenient, some feel they are poor substitutes for voters who want to vote traditionally. Absentee ballots must be mailed well ahead of election dates to ensure they are valid, and hence voters may miss the opportunity to change their planned vote at the last minute due to late breaking developments with a particular party or candidate. In addition, absentee ballots are often not counted unless the race is close. With approximately 11% of voters currently disabled and as many as 36% of voters of 65 disabled, this can lead to the disenfranchisement of a large segment of the population. Voters 65 and older alone comprise 17% of registered voters. Curbside voting is usually counted in the regular vote, but can sometimes lead voters to feel embarrassed or as if they are burdening overworked poll workers. This can lead many disabled voters to avoid using it where available, leading to a drop in the number of disabled people casting ballots.
“People with disabilities should have the same options as everyone else has,” Lisa Schur, a Rutgers University associate professor, said in the article. “Voting in a polling place is an important and symbolic ritual.” Do you feel the same, but are having trouble with your mobility or having trouble accessing your polling place? Pacific Mobility Solutions is here to help.

How Can Pacific Mobility Solutions Help You?

If you are disabled and/or suffering mobility difficulties, please come and see us or call us at (760) 471-8884 to schedule an appointment or drop on in to take a free test drive one of our powerchairs and to find out more about having your vehicle equipped. Many of our powerchairs are capable of negotiating many of the obstacles you may find in real-world situations such as polling places. We’d love to help you find the right one for you, and we can even help you with the Medicare paperwork. We also rent powerchairs and scooters. Come see us today!