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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.

Making Your Multi-Story Home More Accessible

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Seniors or individuals with mobility challenges may find living in a multi-story home difficult. Getting up and down stairs can be impossible for some, while potentially dangerous for others. And moving to a one story house or a senior living facility may not be an option for a variety of reasons. If it becomes necessary or preferable for an individual disabled by age, infirmity, or accident to stay in a multi-story abode, there are practical and affordable solutions.

The easiest and least expensive option, if practicable, would be to simply relocate all multi-floor activities to the ground floor. Of course, that would require that the ground floor be made convenient for eating, sleeping, bathing, and all the other normal activities of daily life. Minor modifications may need to be made, such as widening doorways, making a downstairs bathroom more usable, etc. But in terms of difficulty and expense, it is certainly the most cost-effective and convenient way for a disabled person to remain in his or her multi-story home.

However if living exclusively on the ground floor is not possible, then it may become necessary to investigate how the home can be adapted in order to provide safe access between floor levels. The three most common alternatives are residential elevators, stairlifts, and inclined platform lifts. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, but if employed correctly either one can help keep a mobility-challenged person in his or her own home.

A residential elevator is a lift that is enclosed in a shaft and travels vertically between floors. Elevators can range from an unfinished platform to a fully- enclosed cabin with safety gates and a finished interior. Residential elevators are either cable operated or hydraulically powered. They are typically used when the vertical change between two or more floor levels is significant and there is not enough room in the house to install a usable stairlift or ramp. There must, however, be enough room in the house to accommodate the needed shaft space.

A stairlift consists of a seat that travels up and down a stairway on a track or rails mounted either on the surface of the stairs or on an adjacent wall. stairlifts can be installed on most stairways and come in a wide array of sizes and styles. They are fairly easy to retrofit into existing homes and are considerably less expensive than elevators – especially if the staircase is a single straight run. They require a clear floor space at the top and bottom of the staircase so that the user can get on or off, and they will reduce the usable width of the stairs – a particular concern if the staircase is narrow to begin with.

Inclined platform lifts consist of a platform that moves up and down over an existing stairway. They are usually employed by people who use wheelchairs, but some models incorporate a fold-down seat for people who do not use a wheelchair but have difficulty using stairs. The platform is typically supported by rails that are mounted to a wall on one side of the staircase. Platforms on stairlifts come in various sizes, but they are always much wider and larger than seated stairlifts and thus need more room at the top and bottom of the staircase, as well as enough headroom throughout the entire traveled distance. They are easier to install and less expensive if the staircase is a single, straight run. There are platform stairlifts available that will turn corners on curved staircases, but they require wider staircases to accommodate the platform as it turns and are far more expensive.

We understand that staying in the home you love is important to your overall well-being. If you need expert advice on the most appropriate and affordable option for your multi-story home, the professionals at Pacific Mobility are always available for a free consultation. Call or visit us, today.

Different Types of stairlifts and Their Benefits

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Chair-lift

For mobility challenged individuals who need a way to go up and down a flight of stairs in their homes, there are several different types of stairlifts available. The most recognizable type is the straight stairlift that attaches to the stair treads by way of a straight rail on which a chair can glide up and down. These lifts are suitable for those users who can walk, but not climb, and don’t need to transport anything up and down but themselves, and maybe items that can be held on their lap.

The standard variation of the straight stairlift is the curved model that has a rail that can fit the shape of a winding or curved staircase. Both the straight and curved stairlift most commonly have a seat that is either fixed, folds up and down, or swivels toward or away from the wall. The kind of seat installed will depend both on the needs of the user and the space available on the stairs and landings of a particular home.

stairlifts can be operated either by battery or by a home’s electrical system. While batteries will have to be replaced every few years, those running on house current will never need that type of maintenance. On the other hand, electrical lifts won’t work if there is a power failure.

The standing stairlift is a variation of the lift device. It can be used by people who can’t sit but are able to stand. In order for a standing stairlift to operate effectively, there must be enough headroom in the staircase for a standing individual to travel safely. The standing lift is also suitable for homes with very narrow staircases or ones that for some reason can’t accommodate a seated lift.

Platform stairlifts are another variation. They are designed to be large and strong enough to hold a wheelchair, or in some cases, a small or mid-sized scooter. They are appropriate for individuals who can’t transfer from a sitting position in a chair or scooter to a chair in a standard stairlift. They are also ideal for older and disabled people who are wheelchair bound and need to stay in their chairs no matter what floor they are on.

Finally, although not considered a stairlift, per se, the vertical “through floor” lift has a track that can attach to a wall as it traverses through a hole in the ceiling/floor. It is an option for a home that cannot accommodate an ordinary lift, for example, one whose staircase is too narrow or has a spiral shape design.

At Pacific Mobility, we will help you choose the best stairlift option for your home by carefully explaining the benefits of all the different types we offer.

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.

The Importance of stairlifts for Seniors

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finazzo1According to a survey taken by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), nearly 90 percent of people over age 65, when asked, said that they would prefer to live in their homes as long as possible, and 80 percent of them believe that their current home is where they will, in fact, always live until they pass away.

The desire that most seniors have for remaining in their homes and not moving to a senior care community, or an assisted living environment, speaks volumes about their need for independence even as their bodies continue to age and, in some cases, become increasingly frail. For it is quite well known that for all of us – seniors included – our homes provide us with deep and abiding emotional and psychological connections to our past, our families and our sense of security.

But for some seniors, that security can easily be jeopardized if they live in homes that have steep stairs or other structural features that are difficult for their aging bodies to safely navigate. The grim truth is that, each year, millions of elderly adults in America sustain moderate to severe injuries, such as broken bones, hip fractures, and head traumas, due to falls. In fact, according to the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of three adults, age 65 or older, falls each year. And falling down stairs is the leading cause of serious injury among the elderly.

There are many sensible ways for seniors to help prevent accidental falls in the home, such as adding grab bars in showers and bathrooms, and removing tripping hazards such as loose rugs. But for seniors who live in two-story homes, installing a stairlift may be the most practical and affordable way to stay safe while postponing the need to make a premature transition to a senior care facility.

stairlifts allow seniors with mobility challenges to go up and down their stairs safely. They also help combat the fear of falling that not only often gets worse with age, but, paradoxically, actually increases the risk of falling in the first place.

The desire for independence and self-sufficiency doesn’t decrease with age – it is an essential aspect of a quality life whether one is at the beginning, or nearing the end, of one’s days. Happily, we live in a time when our technology affords our senior population the ability to remain both independent and self-sufficient, while still living at home. And the modern stairlift has become an important part of that equation.

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Going Up and Coming Down

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A recent news article tells a touching story about an elderly mother and her only daughter. The older woman lives in a second floor apartment and the daughter, some miles away. Anna, the mom, is a frail Alzheimer’s patient who cannot navigate the stairs to come down to the ground floor. The daughter, Michelle, suffers from multiple sclerosis and is wheelchair-bound. She can’t climb up the stairs to visit her mother. They can still chat on the phone, but they can’t hold hands or talk face to face.

How different life could be for these two women if there was a permanent and safe way for one to go up – or the other to come down. How sad that illness and incapacitation has become such a barrier to their need to spend time together. The story is a poignant reminder that, for some, even a short flight of stairs can be a distance greater than miles.

In the case of these two loving relatives there was a happy, if all too brief, ending to the story, when a local charitable organization paid for one ambulette visit, so that Michelle, who had to be carried upstairs in her wheelchair by two strong men, could spend a few hours with her mom. The bad news, of course, was that it was a one-time only event.

Options for Going Up and Coming Down

The good news is that, for many others who face a similar challenge of going up and coming down in their own homes, there are options that can bridge the distance between floors. They include: stairlifts, platform lifts and elevators. Depending on your needs, your physical condition, your home layout, and your budget, one of these devices may be the answer to your in-home mobility problems.

stairlifts – A stairlift is essentially a seat that is attached to a rail or track which is attached to the stairs, themselves, or the wall beside them. It is a good option for a person who can walk, but cannot manage ascending or descending stairs, for any reason. It’s the least expensive option, with the cost of buying and installing one, around $3,000 to $4,000 (more, of course, if the staircase is longer than usual or curved.) It requires that least amount of home modification, but it is not always suitable for people with advanced mobility needs.

Wheelchair Platform Lifts – There are two basic types of wheelchair lifts: inclined and vertical. An inclined wheelchair lift is similar to a chair lift, except that instead of a chair attached to the stair glide, there is a platform that can accommodate a wheelchair. Because it is bigger than a chair lift, it requires more space – a staircase that is, at least, 36 inches wide. It’s also slightly more expensive than a regular chair lift due to its enhanced load capacity.

A vertical wheelchair platform lift is like a small elevator, in that it goes straight up and down. It can be designed to take its user from one floor to another or just a few feet – wherever an inclined wheelchair lift is unsuitable. Unlike an elevator, it doesn’t have a shaft, so it doesn’t require a major home renovation. Platform lifts cost from $3,500 to $5,500 plus installation.

Elevators – An in-home elevator is the most versatile alternative for someone who needs to travel between floors in a wheelchair, and may also want the ability to carry other objects such as medical equipment, or be accompanied by another rider. Because it’s enclosed, it’s also the most aesthetically pleasing among all the options.

However, an elevator is also the most expensive choice and can run between $15,000 and $20,000, when you factor in the cost of the unit, itself, and the necessary structural renovations to your home. It is only an option in a building that has adequate space for a shaft and the requisite machinery to run it.

Consider the Alternatives

Before deciding on the best option, you need to consider all of the alternatives, and then choose the option that fits your needs, your home, and your budget. At Pacific Mobility Center, we can help you make the most appropriate choice for you and your loved ones. It’s part of our promise to “Keep You Moving.”

History of Stairlifts

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Stairlifts, believe it or not, have a long history. The modern stairlift, which we are most used to seeing today, was developed by a Pennsylvanian engineer named C.C. Crispen. The idea was first formed when Crispen’s good friend was immobilized, and could no longer use stairs under his own power. This promted Crispen to build the first prototype of a Stairlift which he names, the Inclin-ator. It wasn’t long after that the stairlift started showing up in homes across to the country, making peoples lives that much easier.

stairlifts san diego
stairlift san diego

However, we can’t necessarily give Crispen all of the credit, as the idea of stairlifts actually date back the middle ages! In 2009, evidence was found that suggested that King Henry VIII had a rudimentary stairlift system installed on his palace which was operated by servants using a block and tackle or pulley system. This new evidence would make the idea of a stairlift hundreds of years old!

Nowadays the stairlift is installed in homes across the globe, and manufactured by several different companies. Pacific Mobility specializes in Stairlifts in San Diego, as well as a multitude of additional moblity products such as wheelchairs, walking canes, ceiling lifts, porch lifts, and power scooters.

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