Pacific Mobility Center

Stairlifts - Lifts - Mobility Products

Product Information

Stairlift FAQs

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stairliftLast month we touched briefly on the subject of stairlifts. Specifically, we discussed how they can improve safety for the mobility-challenged when transiting stairs. We got a lot of questions regarding our stairlifts. There seems to be both a lot of interest, and a lot of questions, about stairlifts and how the work. It ma be time for a more detailed discussion of stairlifts and how the work. With that in mind, this month our blog will be doing an FAQ on stairlifts.

  • What is a stairlift? How does it work? How can a stairlift improve my mobility and safety?

    A stairlift is a solution to the problem of getting simply and easily up and down stairs, a problem which often confounds the mobility challenged. A stairlift is typically installed along stairs which are too long for a ramp. A stairlift consists of a powered chair or trolley which rides up and down a track attached to the side of the staircase.

  • My stairs are curved/bend at a right angle. Can you still install a stairlift?

    In short, yes, we can. We install Bruno stairlifts. Bruno, a world leader in mobility products, offers both straight and curved stairlifts. Bruno’s custom curved stairlifts also offer the lowest available inside curve radius.

  • Will others still be able to use the stairs without riding the lift?

    Yes. In most cases a the rail for a stairlift installs within 6 inches of the wall or banister along the side of the stairs. This allows the large part of the tread to remain clear, and since the rails install fairly low, the stairs remain clear for things to be easily carried up and down them.

  • Can a Bruno stairlift be installed on stairs outside?

    Yes. Bruno offers outdoor models that come with a cover so that they can even be utilized in areas that are exposed to the elements.

  • What if the power goes out?

    The models we sell offer battery backup, which means a safe, reliable and uninterpretable supply of power is delivered, so in the case of an outage you can still depend on your stairlift to operate and never need fear being trapped on the stairs.

  • Is the installation complicated?

    No. In many cases, installation can be started and completed in the same day.

  • Who does the installation?

    Pacific Mobility Center is a California state-licensed contractor. Our California contractor’s license number is 744414. Our factory-trained installers will install your genuine Bruno stairlift with satisfaction guaranteed.

Bruno stairlifts make a great Mother’s Day present for those with elderly or otherwise mobility-challenged moms. That’s why, during May, purchase any Bruno stairlift with installation and receive $200 off. Show her you care by giving her her mobility back. Pacific Mobility Center has the lowest prices anywhere in San Diego, guaranteed. Contact us today for a quote. Already have a quote? Give us a chance to beat it! Come in today and see what a difference being a family-owned company makes.

Watch a Bruno Stairlift in action!

Safety First

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We talk a lot about safety on this blog. We do this for two reasons. Safety is the most important consideration for the mobility-challenged. Here at Pacific Mobility Center, its importance to you, our clients, also means it’s our rasion d’etre. This time we are going to revisit an issue that, while we have covered before, bears repeating: falls.

According to the CDC, falls are the number one cause of injuries to seniors. In fact, one out of three seniors falls every year. In 2010, this resulted in over 2.3 million injuries that were treated in the emergency room, resulting in over 662,000 admissions. Some more sobering facts from the CDC:

(1)Twenty to thirty percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries such as lacerations, hip fractures, or head traumas. These injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently, and increase the risk of early death.

(2)Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).In 2000, TBI accounted for 46% of fatal falls among older adults.

(3)Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls.The most common are fractures of the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand.

(4)Many people who fall, even if they are not injured, develop a fear of falling. This fear may cause them to limit their activities, which leads to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness, and in turn increases their actual risk of falling.

(5)The death rates from falls among older men and women have risen sharply over the past decade.

(6)In 2009, about 20,400 older adults died from unintentional fall injuries.

Clearly, avoiding falls is a very important thing for anyone with mobility issues. One way to help with this is to be aware of problem areas of the home. Two of the most common problem areas are the bathroom and stairways. Luckily, at Pacific Mobility Solutions we offer great products to improve safety in both of these areas.

The Shower Buddy is a great and economical way to improve safety and help prevent falls while in the shower. Because it fits into most existing tubs and shower, it allows the user to avoid a lengthy and costly bathroom remodel. Designed in New Zealand, the Shower Buddy reduces the number of transfers a user must endure, allowing the user to toilet and shower at the same time. It also allows a patient to preserve their privacy and dignity while helping to reduce or eliminate the danger of slips and falls.

Stairlifts are a great way to reclaim those areas of your house that have been difficult, dangerous, or even impossible for you to access. Stairlifts consist of a folding chair that travels on a track that runs along the edge of your stairs, safely transporting you up and down the stairs while not blocking the use of the stairs for those not needing assistance. Pacific Mobility Center is a licensed installer of custom Bruno stairlifts. Our models can even go around corners and curves!

But what if you do fall? While the hazards of falling can be attenuated, they can never be eliminated. Ask yourself this question: if you were to fall and were injured and unable to get up, how would you summon help? That’s where a Guardian Alert 911 device comes in. The device can be worn on your person, allowing you to quickly and easily summon help with the push of a button in the case of a slip or fall. With a Guardian Alert device, help is never far away, allowing for greater self-reliance and greater peace of mind for your loved ones.

This month, we are offering a special deal. Purchase any Shower Buddy or Bruno stairlift and receive a free Guardian Alert 911 device! Now you can protect yourself, enhance your independence, and insure the peace of mind of your loved ones all at the same time. Pacific Mobility Center is San Diego’s family-owned and -operated choice for all your mobility and accessibility needs. Contact us today or come on in and see what we can do for you!

San Diego’s Choice for Vehicle Accessibility and Safety

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For the mobility-challenged, the scope of life and activities can slowly begin to shrink. As mobility decreases, so does one’s ability to go places and do things because no matter how hard we try, some places are difficult or impossible to make easily accessible. There is no better feeling in the world than getting that new powerchair or scooter and suddenly seeing your horizon zoom back out. Going places and doing things suddenly becomes possible again, and life resumes its status as a participation sport. Until, that is, you need to take that powerchair or scooter somewhere farther than it can be reasonably or easily driven on its own. That’s where vehicle accessibility and safety comes in.

Vehicle lifts make getting into and out of your vehicle a cinch. Vehicle lifts also vastly increase safety by reducing the risk of falls, or even worse, spills involving your scooter or powerchair. In fact, according to this 2012 study in the American Journal of Public Health, falls and transportation are the two leading causes of injury to disabled people. Clearly, both the ability to enter and exit your vehicle safely and the ability to also operate it safely are both important and a vital part of reclaiming your life.

 

The first step to getting a vehicle lift is identifying what type of vehicle lift and valet seating are right for you. What’s the difference between valet seating and vehicle lifts? Easy! Valet seating is designed to get you safely into and out of your vehicle, while vehicle lifts are designed to do the same for your scooter or powerchair. While valet seating is pretty straightforward, the types and actions of vehicle lifts can range widely, but mostly involve variants on a few basic types. Valet Seats are car seats that replace your existing car seats and generally work by turning, then extending out and lowering you safely. Bruno Valet Seats do not require structural modification to your vehicle and can be removed and reinstalled in your next vehicle, which will save you money and will not affect your vehicle’s resale value. Vehicle Lifts are designed to lift and lower your wheelchair safely into and out of your vehicle. Some vehicle lifts can be operated with you in your chair, while others require the chair to be empty. At Pacific Mobility, we offer over 20 different types of Bruno Vehicle Lifts that range from simple modular winching systems to fully lifting platforms. With a range of products like this, we are sure to have the right vehicle lift for you.

Here at Pacific Mobility, we consider the safety and comfort of our customers a top priority. That’s why this month, March 2013, we are offering our customers a special deal: Purchase any Bruno vehicle lift or valet seating with installation and receive $150 off labor! That’s right, our factory-trained and certified installation techs will safely and quickly install your new Bruno vehicle lift or valet seating and you will receive $150 off their labor. This offer is only good through March 31st, so be sure to call or come in today so our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff can help you select the Bruno vehicle lift or valet seating that’s right for you, your vehicle, and your scooter and powerchair. Come in today and see the difference that being locally- and family-owned and operated can make for you and your buying experience.

Grab Rails and Bathroom Safety

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Bathrooms are the site of the most falls by senior citizens. Slippery surfaces and activities that involve bending, sitting, and standing conspire to make bathrooms extremely dangerous areas of the home for those who have mobility issues. It’s all too easy to slip in the shower or fall while trying to stand after using the bathroom and hit heavily on the abundance of hard surfaces or the hard floor. This also makes a fall in the bathroom even more dangerous since a fall in the bathroom can more easily result in a serious injury. And due to the nature of what bathrooms are commonly used for, a fall and injury may also add embarrassment to that injury when calling for help. No one wants to have call for help and be found in a mortifying situation.

Consequently, for the mobility-impaired bathroom safety must be a top priority. However, not everyone has the money or the ability to remodel their bathrooms and add walk-in tubs or lifts. This does not preclude the need for safety. Therefore, we are going to discuss a more economical and easier solution for those with budgetary restrictions, those who rent, or those who simply do not want to go through the time and trouble of remodeling.

Installing grab rails in a bathroom is an easy and economical way to add safety in a troublesome area of the home.

What is that solution? Grab rails. Grab rails are easily grasped handles that can be affixed to the wall in a bathroom or other trouble areas of the home in order to give seniors and others with mobility issues something to hold on in order to more easily lift themselves or to improve safety during times when they might easily slip and fall. Grab rails are simple and easy to install with a minimum of damage to the walls to which they are attached. Grab rails are also more economical than lifts or walk-in tubs. For these reasons, if you rent your home or are otherwise unable to or not thrilled by the prospect of remodeling your bathrooms, grab rails may be just the perfect solution for you.

Pacific Mobility Solutions is your go-to company for sales of grab rails in San Diego. Locally owned, Pacific Mobility Solutions is a family operated business that understands the unique needs and issues of the mobility challenged in the San Diego area. And right now, we are having a special sale. Buy any three grab bars at the regular price of $125 each, and we’ll give you a fourth for free. This sale is only good during the month of February, so make sure to hurry in and pick up your grab bars today! Please contact us with any questions regarding this or any other issue, and see what a difference experience and family ownership makes when choosing and purchasing mobility assistance products. From grab bars, lifts, and vehicle controls to scooters, power chairs, and walking aids, our friendly and knowledgeable sales staff has the experience to help you make the right choice for your budget and your lifestyle. We offer installation of some products, too! Come on in today and see us to reclaim your freedom and reclaim your life. We make mobility easy. We are Pacific Mobility Solutions.

Family Time Can Be Fun Time Again!

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Pacific Mobility Solutions is a family owned and operated business. As such, we understand the importance of family and what it means to be able to enjoy the holidays with our families. Many of our clients are parents or grandparents struggling with mobility issues. We are here to help.

As Halloween approaches, we look back at the great times we had taking our children out to do trick-or-treating. The cute costumes, the joy in their eyes, the occasional fright, the reassurance they felt knowing we were right there with them, the feeling of safety we had escorting them…it was a treasured time of family and fun. But many people with mobility issues think these days are over forever for them. After all, it’s hard to take someone out to trick-or-treat when one struggles with mobility.

At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we understand and care. We also have a myriad of solutions available for our customers to help get them back out enjoying quality family time again! We offer a wide range of scooters to help the mobility-challenged take back their lives and start enjoying that quality family time again.

Consider the Victory 10. It is designed for outdoor stability and handling while still being able to handle indoors politely with it’s 10-inch, non-scuffing wheels, LED headlight, backlit battery gauge, and crushproof basket. It is also designed for comfort with special foam inserts and a 350 pound weight capacity. The best part is that it is also designed for ease on your wallet, too, and Pacific Mobility Solutions offers the lowest prices in San Diego, guaranteed!

The Victory 10 is just one of our wide range of scooters we offer for sale, but if you aren’t quite ready to buy, would like to try out a model before you purchase, or generally do okay but need a little extra help for things like family activities or vacations (or if you are traveling to beautiful San Diego on vacation!), we also offer models for rent with terrific prices.

Come on in, or contact us today to reclaim your life and make family time your time again today!

You Can Still Enjoy Your Pool or Spa!

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One of the misconceptions the mobility-challenged may have is that they will no longer be able to enjoy their pools or spas. At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we challenge this with our complete line of Pool Lifts. Swimming has many health and relaxation benefits, and we feel very strongly that our customers should not miss out on these important activities.

While pool lifts come in a number of configurations and styles to fit many different budgets and needs, and have varying designs, all are designed to perform the same basic task. They lift the user off the ground, rotate him or her over the water, and then lower him or her into the water. They then lift the user out of the water, rotate until over the ground, and then gently lower the user to the ground Since they are designed with the mobility-challenged in mind, the need of some users to easily transfer from a wheel chair has been accommodated. Pool lifts vary in two main ways: the manner in which they are powered, and whether or not their rotation is powered.

Hydraulic Pool Lifts use the power of water to lift you in and out of your pool, and most models are powered by nothing more complicated than a garden hose. Simply attach your hose and let the power of water do the rest. These models are a nice combination of simplicity and economy for those users who can run a a garden hose to their lifts. Battery Powered models are powered by a rechargeable battery and use the power of electricity to lift and rotate. These models are ideal for those users who either cannot or do not want to run a garden hose to their lifts. Finally, Manual Pump Pool Lifts are powered by the user’s own pumping of the device. These lifts, while economical, may not be the best choice for individuals who struggle with strength issues. Some models require the user or their helper to rotate over the water and back over land, while some also provide power for this rotation as well as lifting and lowering.

At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we offer a variety of models to better serve our customers. We know needs as well as space requirements and budgets vary. We always do our best to work with customers, approaching each and every situation as unique and attempting to provide a solution that fits both the customers needs and their budget. Please contact us or come in and let one of friendly, knowledgeable, and factory-certified staff assist you in finding the right lift for you!

We’ll have you enjoying your pool or spa again in no time. As a locally- and family-owned business, we know the value of both repeat and word of mouth advertising and we strive to create an experience that our customers will want to brag about and experience again and again for all their mobility needs. Call or come in today and experience for yourself the benefits of dealing with the true professionals.

Questions and Answers About Medicare Coverage of a Powerchair or Scooter

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Many people are confused about whether their Medicare benefit will cover their powerchair or scooter, how they can qualify for such coverage, and what that coverage will be. In this article, we will attempt to answer some of the frequently asked questions regarding this issue with clear, no-nonsense answers. Hopefully, by the end we will have addressed any concerns or questions you personally may have, but if we haven’t, please feel free to contact us at (760) 471-8884 and we will be happy to assist you! At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we are a family owned and local business and we value our customers’ satisfaction. In fact, we guarantee it!

What are the Requirements for Medicare Coverage?

In Medicare terminology, a scooter, powerchair, or manual wheelchair is referred to as “Mobility Assistive Equipment”. There are several different categories: Manual Chair, Rolling Chair, Power Scooter, and Power Wheelchair. Each category has different requirements, but before we get into that, let’s first address the common requirements for all categories.

To qualify for any of the categories, you must meet all the following conditions:

First, you must have a medical/health condition that prevents you from moving without difficulty inside your home. Second, you must be unable to perform normal living activities such as dressing, bathing, getting in or out of chairs or other furniture, even with the aid of a crutch, cane, or walker. Third, you must either be able to safely operate the equipment yourself or have someone who is always available to assist you in the usage of the equipment. The equipment must also fit and be able to be operated safely inside your home, but at Pacific Mobility Solutions we offer a broad array of options and accessibility accessories such as ramps and stairlifts, so we can help with this issue. Finally, it’s important to note that unfortunately you will only qualify for the benefit if the equipment is needed inside your home, and not purely for outside-the-home movement or recreational purposes. Now let’s discuss the individual category requirements and definitions.

Manual Wheelchairs are regular, non-powered wheel chairs with large rear wheels and smaller front wheels. You may qualify for a manual wheelchair if you can’t use a cane or walker safely. Not all manual wheelchairs qualify for this benefit. Please contact us at (760) 471-8884 for assistance choosing one that is covered. We will be happy to help!

Rolling Chairs are non-powered chairs that offer more support and comfort. Their rear wheels are smaller but at least 5” in diameter. You may qualify for one of these if you medically require more support than is provided by a manual wheelchair. The chair must be designed to meet your particular medical need or condition.

Power Scooters are three- or four-wheeled powered vehicles with a chair that generally are controlled with handlebars much like a bicycle. You may qualify for a power scooter if you cannot use a cane, walker, or crutches safely and are unable to operate a manual wheelchair.

Power Wheelchairs, or Powerchairs are generally chairs mounted on four or six wheels that are controlled by a joystick and have the ability to turn in small or zero radius. You may qualify for a powerchair if you cannot sit up or operate the scooter controls safely, or if you cannot safely use a manual wheelchair in your home.

For all categories, you must have your doctor verify your medical need for the equipment. In the case of power equipment, your doctor must examine you in person and verify that you have the ability to operate the equipment safely. Your doctor must then submit an order to Medicare verifying and explaining your need for the equipment and your ability to use it safely.

Once this has been determined, the next question you may have is how much of the cost of the equipment Medicare will cover.

What Share of the Cost Will Medicare Cover?

This is a very common question and concern shared by many people. Mobility Assisitive Equipment is covered under Medicare Part B. Generally, once you have met your Part B deductible, Medicare will cover 80% of the Medicare-approved cost, leaving 20% for you to cover. If you have private insurance, it may cover part or all of the 20%, meaning you may be able to get the equipment for little or no cost. You should contact your insurance provider for more information regarding their coverage. It is important to note that at Pacific Mobility Solutions we offer the widest selection and lowest prices, guaranteed. We can work with many budgets and needs are always willing to help you. Also, Pacific Mobility Solutions is a Medicare-participating supplier, which means we are approved by Medicare to supply your mobility needs. Now you are ready to pick out your equipment.

How Do I Know What Chair is Right for Me?

At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we offer a broad range of equipment from manual chairs all the way up to top of the line, state of the art powerchairs. We know knowing which category of equipment you qualify for and which model is right for you can be confusing. That’s why we are here to help. We offer many floor models for testing with free test rides, and our friendly, knowledgeable, and factory-trained staff are always available to assist you in carefully choosing the right chair for you. We will help work with your doctor and Medicare to determine what type of equipment you qualify for, and which model will best suit your needs and budget. Please contact us at (760) 471-8884 with any questions you may have, to schedule an appointment, or just drop on by. At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we are your locally and family owned and operated , Medicare approved source for all your mobility needs. Please come see us to experience what a difference personalized service, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and that family touch can make for your sales and service experience.

Still on the fence? We also rent a variety of equipment including manual chairs, power chairs, and travel scooters. You may be able to rent the equipment first before you buy to try it out for a longer period.

Hopefully this has answered your questions and addressed any concerns you may have. If not, for more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (760) 471-8884. At Pacific Mobility Solutions, we put our customers first and guarantee satisfaction 100%. Call or come in today reclaim your mobility!

This information is being provided for informative use only and should not be considered medical or legal advice. For medical or legal questions, please contact your doctor or attorney. For more info about Medicare’s benfits and requirements, please refer to www.medicare.gov and specifically http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11046.pdf

Reclaim Your Freedom With Monarch Auto Hand Controls!

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Are you one of the thousands of people who thought your limited mobility meant giving up your ability to drive? It can be incredibly frustrating to feel like you have to depend on others to drive you around. No one wants to feel like a burden. In San Diego, as in many parts of the country, having a car and the ability to drive it is so important to one’s ability to do things like run errands and pursue recreation. At Pacific Mobility Center, we are dedicated to helping those with limited mobility regain their freedom. That’s why we are a Certified Installer of Monarch Auto Hand Controls and Driving Aids.

What are Auto Hand Controls and Driving Aids?

Auto Hand Controls and Driving Aids are devices (usually mechanical) that connect to the existing gas and brake pedals in your car and allow you to control them with your hands or with the opposite sides of your body. Generally, mechanical linkages are secured to the actual pedals and extend up or over allowing the user to control the vehicle. The devices vary in function and in the way the user interacts with the controls. The most common devices, hand controls, link a handle to the pedals and allow the user to control the pedals by pushing it in different directions. The exact motions used to control the vehicle vary by model and different users will find different motions more comfortable.
Pacific Mobility Center has a working display in our showroom to allow users to find which model best suits them. Two of our most popular models are:

The Monarch Mark 1-A Smooth Operator uses the most popular method of operation. This method is reported to cause the least amount of fatigue. The brakes are applied by a forward movement away from the driver, while the accelerator is applied by pushing down towards the driver’s lap and at a right angle to the brake.

 

 

The Monarch Push Rock Sure Operator is the newest model of hand control from Monarch. It uses a different, simpler method of control than the Smooth Operator. The user accelerates by pulling the handle the backward and brakes by pushing it forward. This style is often recommended by driving instructors.

We also offer several other models of auto hand controls as well as an array of adapters for left-hand or right-hand use of certain controls. We also offer parking brake extenders, rotating seats, and steering wheel spinner knobs. You can view our complete line of Auto Hand Controls and Drivings Aids here. Please contact us so we can evaluate your needs and have you come in to our showroom where we have functional displays.

A Word About Safety

Driving using auto hand controls or driving aids takes getting used to and training. We do not offer training or testing in the use of this equipment. We strongly recommend you contact a Driving Rehab Instructor prior to the use of this equipment. Failure to do so could be extremely dangerous and may violate the law. We are more than happy to provide a referral to qualified instructors in the San Diego area.