DoAbility - Mobility Equipment Supplies

How to Purchase Mobility Products

admin — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:27:15 +0000

Those with experience in looking through available mobility products, particularly those searching for inexpensive products, realize that this is never easy. If something goes wrong with the product, it can be quite a hassle to send it back.
Electric comfort beds, reclining chairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters are among the mobility products that are often purchased cheaply. The products often take a long time to repair when they break down. Therefore, many disability companies only offer high quality products that are more durable and will last longer, even if it means having to offer them at somewhat of a higher price. In the end, however, this can make for a better investment with the reassurance that maintenance costs are low and the product is less likely to breakdown.
Since very few people can afford to buy expensive products, most of the difficulty comes from being unsure which types of mobility products to purchase. It is a tough decision to pick between expensive or cheap equipment. The ideal solution to this problem is to thoroughly investigate the product before you make a purchase. You should find out the average price that a high quality product sells for, and also, what type of service you will be getting for that price.
Over the years, mobility products and equipment have made a great deal of advancements, from being something unavailable at one time to assisting in nearly every aspect of leading a normal, independent life. All accessories have been specifically designed to aid people in manoeuvring around with minimal effort and facilitating tasks from opening a jar of jam to using the bathroom. This is often the best option for those who are unable to afford twenty-four hour care.
It’s best to approach manufacturers when purchasing a product to trial/test the product for a time to allow you to get a better feel for it. All manufacturers should offer this automatically, especially if you are purchasing a wheelchair or mobility scooter, and there normally should be no extra charging for trials.
Before purchasing any mobility equipment, it’s a good idea to ask manufacturers about their long-term policies and services. Be sure to ask the manufacturer where you can buy replacement accessories such as batteries and chargers.
You should also do some research to learn about pricing beforehand to get just to familiarize yourself with the average price of the chosen product. Choosing the most inexpensive mobility products doesn’t always translate to a top quality product, yet conversely neither does spending an exorbitant amount of money.

Mobility Equipment – What to Consider When Purchasing?

admin — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:17:31 +0000

The modern marketplace has a lot of different sorts of mobility equipment available to help the disabled and elderly. Time and thought should be invested before you purchase any type of mobility equipment. Some of the factors to consider are flexibility, comfort level, and cost.
Wheelchairs provide excellent mobility both indoors and outside. You can purchase a wheelchair that is either manually operated or motorized. Manual wheelchairs are relatively inexpensive, though they are best used by those who can propel their own wheelchairs. The greatest advantage of motorized wheelchairs is that they do not require human effort, since they use a built-in motor and run on a power supply or a battery. Portable ramps made of steel or aluminium can also be purchased to help navigate steps.
Check the wheelchairs for comfort because misaligned seat or the seating position can bring inconvenience and amplify your pain. Today’s wheelchairs can be customized to meet the needs of a wide variety of physical disabilities.
Disabled people can ascend and descend a staircase using a stair lift. They attach a rail to the stairs, and on the rail is a chair the rider can sit on. This costs less than an in home elevator or a platform lift. Some factors you want to look at in your search for a chair lift are the height and width, and whether they’d fit the person who’s going to use it. Additionally, it will need to be sturdy enough to support the weight of the person who will be using it. It is also wise to check how much power it uses, how flexibly and smoothly it operates, safety tips, and warranties.
Motorized scooters can be customized to meet the individual needs of people with disabilities. The rider will be kept safe with enhanced safety features. People with disabilities can now move around their environment more freely with help from a variety of mobility equipment.

An Easy Risk Assessment Safety Guide for The Elderly

admin — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:36:11 +0000

When we age our bodies lose their strength and a house can, over time, become a dangerous place use this risk assessment safety guide to keep your elderly loved ones safe.
Improve indoor safety: even though you can’t prevent every fall, you can help reduce risk factors.
Here are a few ways to improve safety:
* Keep floors clear of clutter to avoid falls. The easier it is to move around, the less likely a person is to fall. Keep things within an easy arm’s reach.
* Well lit rooms make it easy to see whether the floor is clear of obstacles. Be sure to have flashlights on hand in case the power goes out.
* Safety railings: Installing grab bars and railings around the house can improve safety. Places that should have railings would include the bathtub and beside the toilet. Installing bed railings will stop your loved ones from falling out of bed.
* Non-slip mats: Placing non-slip mats under rugs, on stairs, and in bathtubs will improve traction.
Improving outdoor safety

It’s also important to be safe outside, but it’s not as easy to make modifications. If you hold your loved one’s arm while walking, you will be helping to ensure their safety. Sprinkle sand or salt on icy roads and sidewalks to prevent falls on slippery surfaces. A cane can help with navigation on uneven ground or other devices may be needed such as a walker.
What should be done if someone falls — Despite all precautions, accidents occur; it is impossible to prevent all falls. If something does happen, keep calm. Don’t panic, staying calm will keep your loved one calm. If they cannot get up, keep them warm by placing a blanket over them until the ambulance arrives.
It’s not always possible to prevent every accident or fall. Fortunately, most of these mishaps can be prevented. Home is where people spend most of their time, so it’s a key place to start with this risk assessment safety guide for your elderly loved ones.

Purchasing a Walking Aid

admin — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:27:32 +0000

Many people thinking about purchasing a walking aid mobility, think that walkers and rollators are the same thing, but actually they are two very different kinds of walking aids. Both use different means, even though their purpose, to aid in mobility issues with walking, is the same. This article will discuss what factors you should consider when deciding whether to purchase an adult walker or a rollator.

Adult Walker

Aluminum supports are used for building adult walkers. The main drawback is that as you walk with it, you have to lift it, move it forward, and then place it back down for it to function correctly. While it would appear to not move as smoothly as a rollator, consider that many models have wheels to make it move more like one. When compared side-by-side with a rollator, the walker gives better support and is less expensive, but does not move as smoothly.

Models

Adult walkers are available with wheels or without. With the wheel type, you get small ‘caster’ wheels at the bottom, and it makes the walker slide when the user operates it, making it ride more easily.

Bariatric

For folks whose weight is above the norm, Bariatric Products has a line of products built especially for them. Walkers normally won’t hold more than 250-350 lbs. Bariatric walkers are suitable for those who weigh too much for the standard walker. It’s bigger and can hold more weight, often up to 600 pounds.

Specialty

There are even specialty walkers available today. For those people who have difficulty walking with a regular walker, these are walkers that have posterior safety rollers and anterior rollers. The rollers are designed with the specific purpose of helping people with ailments or diseases that affect their ability to walk. These walkers aid in helping the walker maintain strong balance and keeps them walking in straight lines.

Rollator Types

A rollator is very much like a standard walker but it has the accessories that a regular walker does not have that can be useful in everyday living. The main thing to remember is that a rollator is easier to use than a walker. People using a rollator are able to slide along on the ground with a minimum of effort, since the device is ergonomically engineered to make the activity of walking easier. Furthermore, Rollators are available in a variety of fashionable colors.

3 Wheel Rollators

These are somewhat small in size and are better suited for moving in a tight space. In the opinion of some individuals, compared to 4 wheel rollators the 3 wheel variety looks better and appears more stylish. Personal items can be carried in a small pouch attached to front.

4 Wheel Rollators

The four wheel rollator is a larger model and as its name implies there are four wheels which allows for a more stable drive. The four wheel walker is particularly desirable in environments where extra stability would be beneficial, such as a rural area, farm, or an area with extensive grass and dirt. The rollator with 4 wheels usually has an attached seat as well as a basket, which gives you more carrying space.

Light Weight

If it is important to you how much something weighs, and you need to move it physically over a long distance, you might consider purchasing a ‘light weight’ rollator. To reduce the weight, manufacturers use light weight steel alloys and miniaturize the parts of a rollator. A nice thing about these rollators is that they are 25% to 60% lighter than the competition. It is a fact that the lighter the load, the effort less effort you have to exert to move it or carry it. If you need a small and portable walker, or have trouble carrying much weight and get tired easily, then you should definitely consider a ‘light-weight’ rollator.

Bariatric

There are also bariatric varieties of the rollator. Just as is the case with the walker, bariatric rollators are more comfortable for those who weigh over 300 lbs.

Walker or Rollator: You Decide

When purchasing a walking aid it really is a matter of personal choice. If the Adult Walker suits your needs, then go for it. Adult Walkers are less expensive than rollators, and the wheeled model makes movement that much smoother. On the other hand, the rollator is the best option for you if you tire easily or have problems with strength. It may also be the best choice if you want a walking aid that is stylish, if you need to carry many items at once, or if you want sit down and rest whenever and wherever you please. If you simply want the smoothest rolling walking aid, choose a rollator.

Welcome to Mobility Equipment Supplies

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:40:43 +0000

This website is brought you by Doability.

For more information about Doability’s Mobility Equipment, visit our main website www.doability.co.uk