Posts Tagged ‘mobility accessories’

A few words on Senior Mobility.

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

History is not what it once was. There are many seniors who are finding ways to get out and about as much as they can. But apart from the mobility scooters and the power chairs, mobility companies are making many other products as well. These can range from mobility accessories like a cup holder to an automated lift, which elevates a scooter or wheelchair into a vehicle.

Most power scooters for mobility can come either as a three-wheeled type or the one with four wheels. The main advantage of the three-wheeled type scores over the four-wheeled variant is maneuverability which allows for better control especially when negotiating sharp turns. Pride Mobility, for example, has emerged to become the market leader in the mobile scooter manufacturing industry over the years and sells to large retailers such as the Scooter Store. Both the Pride power chair and the Pride mobility scooters for seniors are extremely popular among customers and thousands see them as the ultimate in quality. Pride enjoys an edge in the market simply because no company can match their smooth and seamless turn made possible by their innovative mid-wheel drive design. This design is patented making the technology quite unique to the company.

Another organization getting involved in senior mobility is AAA. The automotive organization has launched a new senior safety and mobility Web site last June. It includes content and resources based on extensive research, provides families of older drivers with valuable information related to senior mobility challenges and tools to help extend safe driving. The site is called www.AAASeniors.com. There are also areas to assist in handling the difficult discussions about transitioning from driver to passenger.

The site also provides advice about how aging affects one’s ability to drive safely. Visitors to the site will find a step-by-step guide on how to begin a conversation with an older driver about working together to develop a plan for the transition from driver to passenger.

Drivers with peripheral vision loss have trouble seeing traffic signs or cars and pedestrians approaching from the side. Loss of any area of vision affects seeing any object or person and traffic lanes ahead of the driver. Other sites help to get the conversation about senior mobility going between adults and their parents too, and a quick search will yield such locations. A recent survey said 75 percent of adult children hadn’t spoken to their senior parents about driving safety issues.

Possibilities for individuals with Learning Disabilities.

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Children with learning disabilities simply have a harder time processing certain types of information. Instead of trying to conform to typical learning approaches, many students with learning problems have created ingenious ways of overcoming the obstacles they face, such as enhanced creativity or memorization skills. Children look at everyone with the notion that they are the way they are and that’s just fine with them. Problems arise when we react that there’s something “wrong” with these children, and it’s important for us to set a good example for our children by accepting all individuals as they come.

Parents have been special in their own approach though relatives of special young kids with disabilities have been singly special. Relatives can also be models for their children, but sometimes it’s even the kids who surprise the parents. Parents learn that there are a lot of professionals with a lot of opinions regarding diagnosing learning disabilities, dyslexia, brain impairment and a whole multitude of associated conditions. They need to be appreciative that when it comes to diagnosing a learning disability, even the doctors agree that they often are not caused by one positive scrape, but by several problems, each overlapping and affecting the next and often not solved by one ”fix all” problem or therapeutic accessories.

Students who have disabilities relating to learning can enroll in unique first year programs at schools that offer extensive learning support. These programs generally require a separate application and a separate fee, but enable students who learn differently to get started on their college education with a safety net of support that can continue less intensively throughout their years at the university. Students may be invited for a phone interview following the initial review, and accommodations will be made for those not able to use the phone. Additionally, most schools require you have a verifiable disability to be enrolled in a computer science program of study, a computer engineering program, or a related study for a technical field.

Employment statistics on people with disabilities cover those over the age of 16 who do not live in institutions. The first employment report specific to this population was made available in February 2009. Employees qualifying for the subsidy only pay 35 percent of their COBRA premiums while employers will be subsidized for the remaining 65 percent.

Businesses may also claim up to $15,000 a year as a tax deduction in certain states or counties. Expenditure amounts exceeding this amount may also be claimed, but are subject to depreciation calculations. This incentive helps provide work for those who are capable of doing the job, just not in the typical way most others do it, and again businesses make the workplace accessible whether through building code or special mobility accessories.

Wheelchair and Scooter Accessories.

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Electric mobility products come in many different forms and are designed to help you get around with ease. Some of the most popular types of electric mobility products include recliners and lift chairs, motorized mobility Scooters and powered wheelchairs. Electric mobility uses electricity to help assist those that are disabled or may having difficulty walking. These machines tend to take the form of scooters, wheel chairs and types of reclining chairs. Electric wheelchair lifts are provided with battery back-ups, so the lifts can be operated even during power outages. Compared to hydraulic models, electric wheelchair lifts are more flexible, less expensive and can be installed rather effortlessly.

Powerchairs are powered by batteries and steered with a joystick. However a power wheel chair is not suitable for someone suffering from poor visual perception or coordination. Power consumption is generally within 25 watts for the power source. Most batteries are offered with a manufacturer’s warranty of two years or more.

Wheelchairs have been one of the most requested items from volunteer groups on the ground in Haiti due to injured legs from fallen buildings. This donation of wheelchairs has been part of 64 shipping containers of supplies that have arrived in Haiti or are in route as of today.

Wheelchairs are also not just for getting around, but for those who need a wheelchair for athletic events. To round out most local facilities, look for interactive adaptive sports, dance performances and instruction, adaptive rowing, canine assistance demos, kid-focused activities and an Artist Market showcasing the works of local artists with disabilities.

Bathing is mostly where the elderly want to own a variety of mobility options. In order to bathe themselves, do not choose a bench to help you get in and out of the tub since it may cause you to lose your balance, it is advisable to use lifts or railings. A handset of bath lift lowers and raises the subsidiary into the tub. Bathing today is a challenge for many due to limitations caused by strength in your arms or legs, disabilities or a multiple of reasons, so if bath railings aren’t an option, it might be wise to choose one of the motorized lifts. There is no longer any reason you cannot enjoy a soak in a hot bubble bath.