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mobility assistive equipment

Technological Innovations in Accessibility

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A disability is any physical, sensory, or cognitive impairment that makes daily activities more difficult. Many people are born with a disability. Others acquire a disability later in life, from an accident, an illness, or the aging process. Many older individuals are diagnosed with chronic conditions that lead to functional or cognitive disabilities. Pacific Mobility Center specializes in products that give those with disabilities freedom and independence.

Over a billion people globally have some form of disability: 360 million people worldwide have moderate to profound hearing loss; 285 million people are visually impaired (39 million of whom are blind) and 75 million people need a wheelchair (of which, only 5-15 percent actually have access to one).

In recent decades, new and innovative technologies have helped lower the barriers that people with disabilities encounter in their daily lives, helping them with tasks that able-bodied people take more or less for granted, such as speaking, travelling, reading, and writing. These new technologies can be classified as assistive, adaptive, or accessible.

Assistive technology

Assistive technology is technology designed specifically to improve a disabled person’s functional capabilities, and includes a wide range of devices and services, including IT-enabled prosthetics and implants, custom computer interfaces, and accessible communication tools. Adaptive technology provides a mechanism that allows people with disabilities to use technology that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Text-to-speech technology, for example, helps users with vision impairments to be able to “read” materials that are written. Computer screen readers and screen magnifiers help make computer output accessible for visually impaired users. Accessible technology helps remove barriers and make the world more accessible for people with disabilities. Speech recognition software, for example, has many uses such as dictation or automated telephone systems; however, the technology can also provide independence for quadriplegics by allowing them to control a computer with their voice. Consumer Electronics Shows annually feature these types of products.

While there remains a long way to go before all new technologies are made accessible to people with disabilities, in recent years there has been a great deal of progress. Mainstream technologies are becoming increasingly adaptable, and specialist technologies have, in many cases. become increasingly affordable.

Some examples of innovative new products that further help disabled people function more easily, while acquiring more independence, include:

• Dot: the world’s first Braille smartwatch
• Talkitt: an innovative application that translates unintelligible pronunciation into understandable speech
• The Sesame Phone: designed to be used with small head movements, tracked by its front-facing camera
• Uni: a tool that detects hand and finger gestures that it converts into text
• The Finger Reader: a wearable tool that can scan a text and give real-time audio feedback of the words it detects
• Be My Eyes: an application that connects blind people with volunteers from around the world who can help with simple tasks
• AXS map: an app that carries information about wheelchair-accessible ramps and restrooms in public places
• Transcence: an app that converts spoken words into text in real time for group messaging
• Liftware: a self-stabilizing handle on which one can attach an eating utensil like a fork or spoon for patients who suffer from Parkinson’s disease or other forms of motion disorders that causes hand tremors.

Some other new and/or emerging technologies include:

• Driverless cars
• Smart glasses that include facial recognition software which interprets facial expressions and tells the wearer how the person in front of them is feeling. This could be particularly useful for people Asperger’s Syndrome, for instance, who struggle to interpret facial expressions unassisted
• Prosthetic limbs that allow wearers to “feel” touched objects, while offering better control and efficiency
• All terrain wheelchairs, capable of scaling uneven surfaces
• Smart belts that can detect when a person is falling in order to deploy air cushions prior to impact
• Medical exoskeletons which can be used to assist people who have trouble walking
• Smart canes that can alert a user’s relative is there is any unusual use or movements of the cane

Contact Pacific Mobility Center with any questions about how you and/or your loved ones can benefit from the best accessibility products available today: Stairlifts, Residential Porch Lifts, Vehicle Lifts, Ceiling Lifts, Shower Buddy, Electric Door Opener, Ramps, Scooters, Lift Chairs, Wheel Chairs, Power Electric Wheel Chairs, Walkers, Turning Automotive Seats, Automotive Hand Controls, Pool Lifts and Other Aids to Daily Living.

Slings

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A sling is an item that, when used in conjunction with a mechanical lift, helps to facilitate the transfer of an individual who is mobility-challenged. A sling is comprised of a specially designed and constructed piece of fabric that is placed under and around its user, and then attached by hooks, clips, straps, chains, or loops to the appropriate part of the lift mechanism in order to raise, move, and/or lower the person in it. A sling lift allows patients to be transferred safely while decreasing the risk of injury to the caregiver.

There are many different types of slings that can be attached to different types of lifts, such as floor lifts and overhead lifts, in order to accomplish different tasks. So when choosing a sling, it is necessary to establish its compatibility with the lifting system to which it will be attached, how it will be used, and the frequency of the transfer task desired. For example, a sling that is to be used for toileting will require a commode opening, while bariatric slings are designed for very heavy people.

Some basic types of slings are the Universal Sling and the Hammock Sling. The Universal Sling is also known as the “Quick Fit Sling” due to the ease of application, or the “Horseshoe Style Sling” due to the large horseshoe shaped opening created by the leg straps. The Hammock Sling design is also known as the “Split Leg Style” sling due to its small “L-Shaped” leg straps. The Hammock Sling is acknowledged by professionals as one of the most comfortable and supportive sling for both home and institutional use.

Some specialized kinds of slings are walking slings, standing slings, amputee slings, quadriplegic slings (contain additional head support), showering slings, re-positioning slings (for turning or sliding patients in bed), disposable slings (for enhanced infection control), and stretcher slings (for supine transfer).

Just as it is important for the sling to fit the task it is intended to accomplish, it must also precisely fit its user. Having the correct-sized sling ensures that the person being lifted feels safe and comfortable. Thus, a professional assessment of the user’s size, weight, and medical condition is absolutely necessary. In addition, the user’s caregiver must feel confident that he or she can safely employ the sling and the lift to which it is attached. Some slings are more complicated than others and a caregiver may be reluctant to use a sling if the process of fitting it is too complex. Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants often receive specialized training in order to use slings and lifts safely and effectively.

A sling is made of fabric, and as such, it can wear out or get torn. Because a sling failure can have catastrophic consequences, the condition and integrity of a sling should be visually inspected prior to each and every use. Possible factors affecting the condition and lifespan of a sling include: client weight, frequency of use, frequency of laundering, washing and drying methods, washing and drying temperature, detergent used, disinfectant used, and any misuse it has experienced.

Choosing the right type and size of sling is crucial for the health and safety of its user and his or her caregiver. The professionals at Pacific Mobility can help you understand how different slings work and which one may be your most appropriate choice. Call or visit us for a free consultation.

Driving Adaptations

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In this day and age, travelingby automobile is virtually a necessity for the majority of American adults. Most of us use our cars daily to commute to and from work, to go shopping and complete other chores, to chauffeur our children to their activities, to visit our friends and family members, or merely to get away for relaxation or vacation.

And the good news is that modern technology has offered people with physical impairments, who might not believe they can navigate a car safely, the opportunity to remain independent and mobile. Almost every automobile manufacturer, as well as a vast number of after-market product suppliers, has created a wide variety of automobile adaptations that can place almost every impaired, disabled, or mobility-challenged adult behind the wheel and on the road.

For example, pedal adaptations are available for individuals who have lost the use of their right leg and cannot utilize the standard accelerator. Left foot accelerators can be fitted to the left of the brake so that accelerating with the left foot becomes possible. For individuals who cannot reach the pedals at all when driving, pedal extenders can bring them closer to the driving seat.

For individuals who have lost the use of both legs, there are many ways in which a car’s traditional pedal functions – braking and accelerating – can be accomplished with hand controls. Push-pull hand controls allow the driver to operate the brake and accelerator functions by pushing and pulling a lever. There are various hand controls available from most manufacturers and suppliers, but the basic function is the same across most models. They range from more basic mechanical push/pull systems to electronic or air compression systems. Most can be fitted with “cutting” devices which automatically cut the accelerator when the brake is applied. And some can even be mounted on different locations inside the car. Some variations of the electronic hand control system include:

• The Trigger Accelerator – With a trigger accelerator you pull with your finger to accelerate, and push away to brake.
• The Over Ring Accelerator – The over ring accelerator is fitted in front of the steering wheel. You push it down toward the steering wheel to accelerate.
• The Under Ring Accelerator – The under ring accelerator is fitted behind the steering wheel. You pull it towards the steering wheel to accelerate.
• The Ghost Ring Accelerator – The ghost ring accelerator is fitted behind the steering wheel. You control the speed by using your fingers in side to side movements.
• The Twist Grip Accelerator – The twist grip accelerator is comparable to the hand grip accelerator on a motorbike. You twist it to accelerate and push it forward to operate the brake.

The bottom line is this: there is absolutely no reason for a disabled, but otherwise competent, adult to believe that he or she cannot safely operate an automobile. Here at Pacific Mobility, we can help you choose the most appropriate driving adaptation to meet your needs. Call or visit us today and allow our mobility experts to get you into the driver’s seat.

Swimming Pool Lifts

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pool lift

Swimming is great exercise as well a great way to relax. And spending time in a swimming pool can be very therapeutic for most people. However, for individuals with certain disabilities or mobility challenges, getting in and out of a pool can be very difficult, or even impossible without some type of aid. Fortunately, over the years, there have been many in almost any situation.

Basically, a pool lift is any mechanized seat with the ability to lower and raise a disabled or injured person into and out of a swimming pool. Pool lifts can either be permanent or portable. Permanent pool lifts can be installed on the edge of a pool, or onto an anchor embedded in the pool deck, while portable lifts, which usually have wheel attachments, can be placed anywhere around the pool, and then put in storage when not in use.

As with any type of product, different types of pool lifts have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, permanent pool lifts are preferable in instances where the individuals needing them are heavier than normal, but, unlike portable lifts, they are always open to the elements.

The first commercially successful water-powered, swimming pool lift hit the market around 1980. By 1997, manufacturers had perfected a battery-powered, free-standing pool lift that was designed to work with more contemporary swimming pool designs. All types of patient lift systems, including pool lifts, are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and must meet certain standards in their design and manufacture.

Swimming pool lifts can be categorized as follows: • Non –cantilevered lifts have seats that are attached to and rotate around an anchor point. Most early lifts were of this type as they are limited to simple pool designs that feature either no gutter of recessed gutters. They are fairly inexpensive and easy to operate, but they must be fixed in place to a deck or anchor and connected to a water supply to power them.
• Cantilevered lifts are designed to allow the seat to extend out from the anchor point. They can be fixed, anchored or free standing. Cantilevered lifts provide access to a greater number of pool designs, including rim-flow gutters, roll out gutters, or any type of design where there is a substantial horizontal distance from the loading point to the water. They are further categorized as non-rotational and rotational: o Non-rotational cantilevered lifts extend the seat directly out from the loading point.
o Rotational cantilevered lifts have the added ability to raise and rotate the seat position over the pool deck and extend it over any obstacle in the path to the water. This type of lift provides the greatest versatility of any of the different designs. They can be anchored or free standing, with free standing models generally the most expensive.

Pool lifts in public pools are regulated by the American with Disabilities Act, and as such, cannot be manually operated, as the law requires that they be capable of unassisted operation. However, manually operated pool lifts can be used in a residential setting.

Pacific Mobility has many pool lift options to choose from. We invite you to talk to one of our professional staff members who will help you determine what kind of pool lift best suits your needs and budget. Call us today for a free consultation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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