Pacific Mobility Center

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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.

Struggles – Part Two

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In Struggles, Part One, I recounted how I had broken my ankle and was faced with the problem of navigating the stairs in my house and generally getting around without too much difficulty. Working with my crutches took a little practice, but after a few days, I got the hang of it. In actuality, the method is fairly simple: when going up the stairs, the trick was to move my good foot up one step at a time first, and then the crutches followed; when going down, the reverse was true – crutches first, then the healthy foot followed. Got it? Good.

But now I had to figure out how I was going to shower without getting my cast wet and without slipping. The first dilemma was solved with a plastic bag and a little duct tape. In terms of safely showering, I had two options. The first was using a “Shower Buddy.” The shower chairshower buddy is a system that allows its user to transfer from the toilet to the tub or shower without having to stand up at all. Since I really didn’t need that much support, because I was still able to stand, albeit on one foot, I decided that grab bars installed near the toilet and in the tub would be sufficient, as long as I also had a shower chair on which to sit.

So, I learned how to go up and down stairs and to keep myself neat and clean. But I was getting pretty antsy to move around outside, as well, and the truth is, I still hated my crutches. They’re tiring to use and after awhile, they made my armpits pretty sore. Luckily, at Pacific Mobility, we have an extensive supply of Knee Walkers and Knee Scooters. The one I used allowed me to get around soooo much easier.

ArouKnee Walkernd Christmas time, I finally moved up to the Cadillac of mobility when my wife brought home a 4 wheel scooter from the store. At last I was able to do what I love doing most with my grand-kids: checking out all the Christmas lights around the neighborhood. It’s what I’ve been telling my customers for years – you don’t have to stay immobile anymore due to illness or injury. Whatever may be holding you back from doing the things you love, at Pacific Mobility, we have solutions to your problem. I know, because I’ve discovered them, myself.Jeff in Scooter

Deciding if Your Mobility Issues Warrant Leaving Your Home

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When a person first develops mobility issues, they and their family are often faced with a tough decision. Should they remain in their own home or move into an assisted-care facility? Unless the person with mobility issues already lives in a house equipped with mobility aides, to stay in their own home, it must be properly equipped for their safety. While this process costs money, assisted-living facilities are often also expensive. Making a proper price comparison takes a thorough analysis of the costs involved with both. While this analysis can be tricky, using this easy, step-by-step guide will simplify the process and allow a decision to be made with confidence.

      1. Determine the Assistance Needs of the Person

        Mobility challenges, like the people who experience them, are unique and vary widely. Some people may be able to navigate most of the house safely, but need safety devices in the bathrooms. Other people may need the full-time use of a powerchair. Many will fall somewhere in between these extremes. Knowing what the person requires to overcome their mobility challenges allows a proper assessment to be made of the house and the equipment it needs.

      2. Determine What Equipment the House Needs

        Like people, houses are unique. Each house needs an assessment to be made of its unique requirements. Does it have a staircase? Are the doors wide enough to permit wheelchairs? Is there a large drop from the front door to the stoop? Additionally, not all areas of the house may need to be made accessible. For instance, if the house has a pool, but that pool is rarely used or unlikely to be used for a long period, a pool lift may not be necessary. Consequently, this may mean the back patio also wouldn’t need to be made accessible. Examine the house with an eye towards determining what to areas the person needs access and what challenges the person faces when accessing these areas.

      3. Get Quotes

        Once a comprehensive list of what changes to the house are needed, a proper quote can be obtained. A reputable mobility company will offer free quotes, and a knowledgeable company will be able to suggest an array solutions to many issues. For instance, a short flight of front steps may be made accessible with either a ramp or a porch lift. A good company will walk you through the pros and cons of each solution, along with the price of each, and ensure you feel comfortable with the equipment selected. Remember that prices for these products are usually negotiable. Shop around to make sure you are getting the lowest price in the area.

        This is also the time to determine the cost of an assisted living facility. Visit a range of facilities, and if possible, visit each multiple times at different times of the day and week. Visit unannounced if possible. This will provide a more comprehensive and accurate view of what the facility is like. Once a few viable candidates are determined, get quotes on prices. Remember, these prices are often negotiable. Determine what the realistic costs of the facility will be.

      4. Compare Prices

        With good quotes for both an assisted-living facility and for equipping the home, a fair comparison can be made. One important factor in this comparison is examining the out-of-pocket costs associated with both options. The amount Medicare and private insurance will pay towards both these options will vary, so be sure out-of-pocket costs are being used for comparison. A reputable mobility products company will help you determine these costs for outfitting your home, and a reputable assisted living facility will likewise determine what your share of the cost will be.

One final thing to keep in mind when making a decision, however, are the intangibles of each option. Family members may feel safer knowing a person is at a facility where additional, around-the-clock care is available. On the other hand, staying in the home is an option many prefer because of both sentiment and ease. After all, moving into an assisted living facility requires going through the expensive, burdensome, and time-consuming process of sorting and packing belongings, and often requires downsizing those possessions. Assisted living also lacks the happy memories and comfort of living in one’s own home.

At Pacific Mobility Center, we are happy to help throughout this process. We give free quotes and our trained staff offer expert advice when determining what equipment is needed for a home. We also offer the lowest prices anywhere in the San Diego area.

If you or a loved one is faced with the difficult decision of whether to refit your home for enhanced mobility and safety or move into an assisted-living facility, think of us first. We will walk you through the process of determining what equipment is needed, and give you the confidence that comes from knowing your quote is the lowest in town. If you decide staying in the home is the best option, our certified and licensed techs will install the needed equipment quickly and properly, making the entire process from beginning to end a breeze. Don’t face this difficult decision alone. Come in or contact us today.

The founder of angieslist.com discusses making a home accessible in this short video:

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.