Pacific Mobility Center

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mobility challenged

Making Bathrooms Safe for Seniors

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shower chair

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Getting in and Out of a Vehicle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Pros and Cons of stairlift Installations

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Chair lift

There’s no doubt that the technology of the modern stairlift has provided seniors, as well as other individuals with mobility challenges, more choices than were available to previous generations. And for the most part, the benefits of having a stairlift in one’s home outnumber their potential shortcomings. But the prudent consumer should always contemplate both the pros and cons of any purchase in order to make the wisest decision possible. So here are a few things to ponder:

The Pros

If you are a senior who can no longer navigate the stairs, the main reason to have a stairlift installed in your home is because it allows you to stay in your home long after your ability to go up and down the stairs has ended. Most seniors will tell you that staying at home, as opposed to transitioning to senior housing or assisted living, is extremely important to them, as it allows them to remain independent in the most emotionally supportive environment possible.

A stairlift is an accident preventer. The statistics are unambiguous – accidental falls, especially on stairs, are the number one cause of harm to seniors. stairlifts remove the potential for serious and even fatal blunders that can put an elderly person in the hospital, or worse.

stairlifts can carry both people and things. Generations ago, multistory houses had dumbwaiters which allowed for the transport of food, laundry, etc. from floor to floor. The stairlift can easily perform a similar role, as long as the intended object can fit on one’s lap.

For the relatives of seniors or any other individual with mobility challenges, a stairlift can provide piece of mind. Just knowing, for example, that an elderly parent no longer has to try and navigate stairs, can help relieve children of excess worry and concern.

The Cons

Probably the biggest concern that a consumer will have when contemplating the installation of a stairlift, is the cost. A quality lift, plus the installation itself, will run several thousand dollars. For some, that is a potential deal breaker. On the plus side, you might qualify for a medical expense tax deduction and/or the possibility of zero percent financing for up to 18 months.

Another concern: While most homes today have stairways that are wide enough to accommodate a stairlift without any issues, some older homes may have a very narrow stairway, and this is why having a professional assess the home is so important. Also, sometimes a person may have physical limitations in how he or she can sit in a stairlift chair. For example wearing a full leg cast that would cause one to to have to extend a leg may make it impossible to fit in the stairway, while sitting.

Finally, some believe that the installation of a stairlift too soon may create a dependency upon it by an otherwise healthy individual who would still benefit from the exercise of going up and down stairs. This seems a minor concern, as there are many ways in which a mobile senior can still find outlets for physical activity.

At Pacific Mobility, we will never sell or install a stairlift unless it is the right choice for you, your family, your home and your budget. Knowing the pros and cons will help you determine if a stairlift is the best option for you.

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

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.

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