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Make-Life-Easier Products: last 5 posted (newest-oldest)Adjustable Bed: This acts somewhat like a hospital bed, but it doesn’t look or feel like one. Raise the head to ward off attacks of acid reflux or to support your back while reading or watching TV. Raise the foot section for leg-elevation. Raise either or both to adjust for comfort and pressure-relief. Further, although more expensive models allow for frequent height-adjustment from the floor, you can modify height on a semi-permanent basis through removable casters or leg extensions. You can choose options like a wireless control, message, and side rails that fold away. And all these features are tied up in a “normal” looking bed, with a nice mattress--not the skinny things found on rental hospital beds but innerspring, memory foam, natural latex, or combos. Add whatever bedding you wish for style and comfort. A word to the wise: shop not at mattress and furniture outlets but at a medical supply store that carries several models you can actually see and try out. Why? Because your medical equipment supplier understands various disabilities and has the knowledge needed to help you select the bed and mattress that will fit your unique physical needs. He will also be able to make any adjustments or future repairs (yes, the control will die on you eventually, but it usually gives warnings first, so you won’t get stuck like the fixings inside a sub sandwich). In my opinion, my adjustable bed was one of the best investments I’ve ever made. [Source—The Re-Mobilizers] ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Symed Surestep [Lighted] Cane Tip: I’ve never used this, since I’m a crutch- and scooter-user, but it’s an intriguing idea. Here’ how the company describes it: “This…provides users with a pool of soft light at the base of their cane and makes walking at night or in low-light conditions safer. Product features include: water proof base, automatic light sensor triggers, automatic power off when not in use, lighted by four LED bulbs, designed to fit most standard walking canes, wider base allows cane to stand by itself, easy installation, battery compartment opens easily with coin replacement.” Find out more about it at www.SktyMedInt.com. If you’ve tried it, please send me an email telling me what you think so I can pass the information on to others.
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Powered Tub Lift: We’re being deluged by ads for those walk-in tubs that provide a safe, relaxing bath—IF you are physically able to step over a small raised entry or to slide-transfer from your chair to the model that doesn’t have a door in the way. And if you have a fat wallet. An alternative to that or to remodeling your bathroom into a roll-in shower (where you don’t get to soak in a tub) is the tub lift. You step into the tub and sit on this seat which then, usually through water pressure (some are battery-operated), lowers you into that inviting bubble bath. If you can’t step into the tub, there are models which you can slide onto from your chair, then be lowered into the water. When you’re all wrinkled and clean, the device lifts you up so you can get out. They are a fraction of the cost of the walk-in tubs, you need do no bathroom-remodeling, people with little or no use of their legs can use them, and you get to stretch out in your bath as you would normally do. Email me with questions. If I don’t have the answers, I’ll get them from my expert consultants, The Re-Mobilizers.
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Long-Handled Shoehorn: For some of us, putting on our shoes is difficult some days, impossible other days. Enter the long-handled shoehorn. Place your shoe on the floor, put your toes into it, and use the shoehorn to slip your heel in. It's easy to use because it's about 16" long and made of lightweight plastic. Some come with a hook at the handle end to help with putting on socks, too. It's well worth the $5 or so it costs, as you'll discover the first time you use it. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Slip-Resistant Matting: You may have seen this. It comes in rolls or pre-cut round or rectangular pads in various sizes and thicknesses. It’s a material that is nonslip on both sides so it grips the surface it rests on while keeping a cup, bowl, book, pencil, I-Pad, or whatever from slipping off. It does the same for cushions and rugs. It’s handy, washable stuff you can fold up and take anywhere. You can spend $55.00 for a two-yard roll, or $8.00-$50.00 for different sized pieces. However, for most purposes, that large placemat-sized one you’ll find in the Dollar Store does just fine. You may have to replace it more often, but you can afford several pieces and not worry about losing them.
It's the Law: last 5 posted (newest-oldest)
Motel 6: Ever have trouble with accessibility at a Motel 6? I have. Apparently others have, as well. Motel 6 has entered into an agreement with the government to fix much of that by March 14, 2012. They have the choice of following either 1991 or the updated 2010 ADA standards, but they must abide by one of those sets of regulations. You can expect to see the following during your next Motel 6 visit:
My question now is, Why not ALL motels? Does it take a lawsuit to bring all motels up to speed? [For more information, click on http://www.ada.gov/motel6ext3.htm.]
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~New Air-Travel Regulations--Accessibility of Facilities: Here are some regulations which may be very important to you when you fly. (1) New planes with 30 or more seats must have movable aisle armrests on half the aisle seats in the aircraft. (2) New planes with twin aisles must have accessible lavatories. (3) Any new plane with 100 or more seats must have priority space in the cabin for storing your folding wheelchair. (4) Planes with more than 60 seats and an accessible bathroom must have an on-board wheelchair, regardless of when the aircraft was ordered or delivered. Planes with more than 60 seats that do not have an accessible bathroom must have an on-board wheelchair if a you, a person with a disability, give the airline 48 hours’ notice that you can use an inaccessible bathroom but need an on-board wheelchair to reach the bathroom. (Source: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/disabled.htm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Full Access to Public Meetings: Tired of going to meetings of your city council, school board, or other public governmental agency and finding that your hearing aid isn’t enough to let you hear what’s going on or sitting up front doesn’t allow a clear view of the proceedings? Or maybe when you want to give your opinion the public microphone is inaccessible? Make your complaint known. State and Federal laws mandate that all public entities give everyone, including people with disabilities, a chance to participate. They must provide what you need, whether it’s audio-enhancement equipment, sign-language interpreters, large print materials, portable microphone, or whatever. But you may have to make them aware that those items are needed, so speak up. (http://www.disabilityaccessinfo.ca.gov/goverment.htm) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Wilderness Fun: Love the outdoors and wish you could take your wheelchair into wilderness areas? If you're a hearty soul, go ahead. The ADA defines a "wheelchair" as "a device designed solely for use by a mobility-impaired person for locomotion, that is suitable for use in an indoor pedestrian area." That means you can't take your modified off-road motor bike in and claim discrimination if you're stopped, but you must be allowed to use your normal, everyday mobility device. On the other hand, agencies overseeing wilderness areas are not required to modify the areas to make them accessible to you. Which makes sense, as too much modification would ruin what Nature has created. (http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08mark.htm#12207c, Section 12207) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Air Travel: Thanks to the updated (5/13/09) Air Carrier Access Act, you can now be assured that the same accommodations you've enjoyed on U.S. flights will be available to you on foreign flights if you've bought your ticket from a U.S. carrier or if the flight takes off or lands on American soil. This means that for your trip from San Francisco to Italy, you must be allowed to bring your respiratory equipment, including oxygen, or your service animal. Also, you must have access to help printing your boarding pass at those automated check-in kiosks or go to the head of the line. And you can NOT be charged an extras fee for any of this.For more details, go to http://www.imakenews.com/iln/e_article001380166.cfm?x=b11,0,w.
That's a Thought...: last 5 posted (newest-oldest)
Maintaining Equipment: last 5 posted (newest-oldest)
Retred! The rainy weather is upon us, followed soon by ice. All slippery stuff, posing a danger to our stability and safety. It’s of vital importance this time of year that we check our tread. If there’s any smoothness on crutch or cane tips, wheelchair or scooter tires…replace them now. If the rubber tips, wheels, glides, or tennis balls on your walker are worn out…replace them now. Check for deteriorating hand grips on crutches, canes, and scooters, because the slippery weather means you need to maintain a secure grip. Go further and be sure your car tires are in good shape, because you can’t afford to be stuck with a flat out in cruddy weather—or any weather, for that matter. Take a look at your ramp and steps to be sure the non-slip materials are still in place and working. In short, look all around for outside slipping hazards just waiting for you in an unguarded moment, and fix them now.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Manual Wheelchair Brakes: Act as though your life depends on these babies, because it often does, like when you think you’re securely parked on an incline. If you can move the wheel when the brakes are set, obviously there’s something wrong. By then, though, it’s too late if you need them. You know how they’re holding, simply by the feel. At first indication of less holding-power, of course check your tire pressure. If it’s okay, or if you have solid tires, look at the little metal part that goes against the tire. If it’s the cylinder type, it has a rough surface. Is there a smooth spot where it meets the tire? Take a wrench and twist it slightly so the surface which comes in contact with the tire is now a knurled portion. If it’s a flat piece you can’t do much other than make sure the whole brake assembly is tight. (If it jiggles, find the screws that hold them on and tighten them with a screwdriver.) If you’re a heavy user of the chair, eventually the brakes will weaken, stay loose, or be unpredictable. At that point, visit your wheelchair service center to have a new set installed. They’re not that expensive, especially when compared with medical bills from an unexpected tumble down that incline. (Source: The Re-Mobilizers)
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Scooter/Chair Loaders on Vehicles (Electrical Models): Not much can go wrong with these machines, as long as they’ve been properly installed. However, be prepared. Because they’re tied into your vehicle’s electrical system, there is a possibility that they can suddenly stop working. (According to Murphy’s Law, it will happen when your scooter/wheelchair is dangling halfway into your cargo hold so you can’t close the hatch.) Often you can tell if it’s the fault of a weak car battery simply by starting the car and trying the lift again. If it works, you need to think about replacing your battery. Otherwise, likely it’s a blown fuse. However, you’ve prepared for that by having spare fuses with you in the glove compartment and knowing where to find the fuse box that powers your lift. Maybe you can’t get in there to change out the fuse, but you can direct a helpful person to get this easy job done. Moreover, you’ll want to be able to manually push your chair or scooter into your car in the event the electrical system fails. Consult your owner’s manual if you don’t know where the release is. Check it periodically to be sure it moves, because it won’t do you any good if it’s frozen. With these precautions, you’re good to go whenever and wherever you want.
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CPAP & Other Devices: Here’s something that is so common sense that you’ll think it not worth mentioning. The trouble is, it’s so common-sense that people overlook it. Many breathing machines, CPAPs, and other such devices have filters that need to be cleaned regularly. That’s a chore that we’ll do “tomorrow.” We put it off until we seldom or never do it. Yet it’s an easy job and one that affects not only the efficiency of the device but our health, as well. Do you really want the gunk accumulating in the CPAP to be pushed repeatedly into your lungs all night? Check the instruction manual for how to do it and how often—then DO IT! (Source: DeVilbiss [mfgr.] and The Re-Mobilizers)
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Watch Those Walker Wheels: Have you looked at those wheels on your walker lately? Maybe they’re sticking a little or otherwise not gliding you along like they used to. That’s probably because you, like most people, have neglected them. So, sit down in front of your favorite TV rerun, armed with sharp-pointed scissors, long-nosed pliers or tweezers, and paper towels. Then, dig out all the string, thread, pet hair, and other junk that has wrapped itself around the shaft of the wheel. Dig out any mud that has caked in the area. Once it’s debris-free, spray it with a small amount of WD-40 and give it a few twirls. (Warning: Don’t over-squirt, because it will drip onto your carpets.) Repeat with the other wheel. If you want your walker to run smoothly—and put off having to replace bearings—do this at least monthly. That way, too, it won’t be as big a job. (Source: The Re-Mobilizers)
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