Disability Information Myisha » Equipment

Mobility Aids Assistance Information

ftsuser — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:31:40 +0000

A long life can bring a lot of physical problems in its wake. But then it’s completely up to you, whether you want to let these problems ruin your life, or whether you want to take necessary steps to retain the best quality of life possible. If the right resources are available, you would probably choose the latter option. So when moving around becomes increasingly difficult, then it’s definitely time to bring mobility aids into the equation.

Physical disabilities can be really frustrating, particularly when it leaves you confined to your house. Mobility aids help you break out and break free from your limitations! Here’s some of the most common types of mobility devices out there:

Mobility scooters: these are battery powered vehicles, which allow you to roam freely inside your house or even outdoors. You can easily climb up inclines or ramps, if you have a powerful enough scooter. With a mobility scooter by your side, you need not worry about pain, tiredness or injury due to movements.
Electric wheelchairs: these are motorized versions of the good old wheelchair. They are perfect for indoor use and do not require any effort on your part, to move forward. Most models can be easily dismantled, folded up, and carried around.
Stair-lifts: these mobility aids are mostly meant for in-home use and you can have them installed quite easily. Simply take your seat and move up the stairs!
Lift chairs: in case you find it difficult to get up from a sitting position, these chairs can give you the necessary “lift”. Lift chairs can also serve as recliners, allowing you to relax comfortably.

There are also other additional aids which can help you in your day to day activities in the kitchen or bathroom as well.

Mobility devices can be really helpful and a recent research shows that the use of these aids has increased almost 33 times since 1994! So, there is no reason why you cannot join the thousands of people who have successfully empowered themselves by using aids for greater mobility.

Remember that your limited mobility problems are nothing to hide. In fact, by using mobility boosts you can set a great example for others who are apprehensive about using them. A study has shown that fear of being ridiculed prevents many from using aids for mobility. So, you must not harbor such hollow fears and use mobility aids with pride, to give yourself and others suffering from similar issues a better life!

Stay Fit While Using Wheelchair

ftsuser — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 04:16:09 +0000

Numerous wheelchair users along with their family are concerned that due to the fact they’re in a wheelchair, they may have a sedentary way of life. The problem is that due to the fact that lack of exercise and obesity can also be damaging for the health. But quite a few wheelchair users don’t understand that there are particular excerises and workout equipment designed in particular for people who use wheelchairs.

Which are the most popular exercises for people who use wheelchairs? One of the most well-liked exercises for wheelchair users is chair aerobics. What are chair aerobics? Chair aerobics are specific type of aerobic exercise which may increase the heart rate enough to exercise the heart and respiratory system though the individual making the workout is sitting on a wheelchair. There are videos that wheelchair users can buy that will guide them in a aerobic workout and help to obtain exercise.

But several people prefer to use physical exercise equipment to be able to get their exercise. What sort of equipment are out there for wheelchair users? You can find now specialized exercising machines specially designed to become accessible to people who use wheelchairs. The machines are in particular developed to enable a wheelchair to go inside so the wheelchair user can do the training. Also, you’ll find arm cycles that enable wheelchair users to exercise their arms and get aerobic activity while sitting on a wheel chair.

Two pieces of advice that wheelchair users need to think about prior to beginning an exercise program. First, use especially produced wheelchair gloves during the workout. People who use wheelchairs hands get more than enough damage due to the constant impact against the wheelchairs hand rims. Gloves might protect the hands of the wheelchair user both daily wheelchair activity in addition to during the exercises. Another piece of advice is to see a physician before starting to workout to be sure you are in shape for exercise.

Wheelchair Wheel Covers: A Useful Present For A Friend Who Uses A Wheelchair

ftsuser — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:17:01 +0000

If you are looking for unique wheelchair gifts, think about a wheelchair tire cover. Why are covers for the tires so useful? People who use wheelchairs ride on the pavement as well as the sidewalks during the day. Then when they come home usually they take the same wheelchairs in the residence. The dirt and filth the wheelchair wheels go over in the streets can also be transferred to the wheelchair wheels, carried within the home and transferred all over the floor. The dirt is often really unhygienic and can bring about the spread of several diseases. Although in several cultures people remove their shoes when they come in in order to leave the house clean, that is a difficulty for a person who uses a wheelchair. Filth which is spread on the floors can also be really unsanitary. As well as trash dropped by people there’s chance of picking up chemicals such as lawn pesticides. If there is a child from the residence it’s very unhealthy if the child is crawling upon the same floors.

The solution could be to use wheelchair tire cover. What’s that? It is a wheelchair accessories that goes over the wheels. A person using a wheelchair can put them on very quickly while still in the wheelchair. The tire covers may assist to reduce the filth that may be spread about the home. Once the tire covers get dirty, they are able to be effortlessly washed. An additional advantage to wheelchair tire covers is that they are able to prevent the black rubber from the tires from marking the floors. Along with using wheelchair tire covers at home, they’re practical take along when visiting friends. There is absolutely nothing more humiliating than visiting a friend and to leave black marks on their floors.

Potential Preventive Of Injury To The Hands Amongst Wheelchair Users

ftsuser — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:15:24 +0000

People with spinal cord injuries rely on their hands much more than non-wheelchair users do. In addition to normal activities such as typing, cleaning and cooking, people who use wheelchairs the arms and hands to transfer in and out of their wheelchair still more important they use their hands to be mobile. The hands of a wheelchair user propel the wheelchair. So, if a person who uses a wheelchair experiences a hand injury, it may also impact their mobility.

Yet people who use wheelchairs have a high chance of getting carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS. What is carpal tunnel syndrome? A hand injury may develop for example when a nerve located in the hand becomes injured. This injury can be a result of a repetitive strain, such as pushing the wheelchair. Some of the signs of carpal tunnel syndrome often start with a burning or numbing sensation. As carpal tunnel syndrome progresses it may result in a decrease in function of hands. Nearly half of wheelchair users may suffer from a hand injury like carpel tunnel syndrome. If left untreated, a surgical procedure may be necessary. carpal tunnel release is one of the routine surgeries in the United States.

What can you do if you are concerned about carpal tunnel syndrome? Seek medical attention . As it is a progressive disease, symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome often get worse with time. A therapist experienced with illnesses common to wheelchair users can often suggest exercises which may prevent the problem from getting worse. In addition, wheelchair users may want to look into wheelchair gloves to protect the hands. Now one can find gloves for wheelchair users which can minimize some impact to the hands due to repetitively striking the wheelchair’s handgrips. If you know a wheelchair user you may consider wheelchair gloves can be one of the best unique gift ideas for Christmas 2011.

How To Select From A Range Of Disabled Vehicles

ftsuser — Tue, 10 May 2011 03:20:23 +0000

Vehicles designed for the physically disabled can offer give those with extra needs a sense freedom that the rest of us may take for granted. Since such vehicles make for important (not to mention expensive!) investments, you need to be sure that you have found the ideal one for you before handing over your money.

Side entry wheelchair accessible vehicles are useful should the disabled individual in question wish to drive the vehicle themselves. You will however have to check what type of ignition each has however so you can find that which matches individual needs (do you need dash-mounted or keyless steering wheel-mounted ignition, for example).

Automatic transmission may also be required if doing this manually is an issue but thankfully this is built into many vehicles in current times.Cruise control is another feature which you might wish to look for as those with lower body mobility limitations.
Wheelchair cars which comprise entry to the rear are most suited to those physically handicapped individuals who are not ever going to drive the vehicle in question.

It will also need to be decided whether lift or ramp entry is suitable and both have their own advantages. Those vehicles with simple ramps are likely to cost you less money but more space is required in this instance when it comes to helping the wheelchair user to leave the motor. Disabled vehicles with lifts however can usually house larger wheelchairs but this does also mean that there is less pare space for storage purposes too.

The Use Of Driving Aids Increase The Mobility Of Those In Wheelchiars

ftsuser — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:48:54 +0000

In today’s society , there exists many individuals facing physical challenges that impact their mobility, particularly where automobiles are concerned. Discovering an automobile that matches their entire specific needs can be hard. Nonetheless, with all of the advancements made in mobility vans, there are at present many solutions to the problems people face.

First , a mobility van relates to a vehicle that has become modified to allow those use wheelchairs to get in and out easier. One device that makes this fairly easy is something called a loader. In many cases , people using a wheelchair can get inside their vehicle, but then have no method of getting the wheelchair safely inside. To use a loader the user has to go through two simple steps . First, the individual who uses the loaders strap to connect to the wheelchair. Next the loader picks up the device so that it can go inside the vehicle. Some models of this device bring the chair into the rear of the van while others bring it in through the side. Additionally , loaders can work not merely with vans but also many SUVs, trucks, and minivans. If you utilize one of these devices, it is often useful to also purchase a restraint system for the scooter or wheelchair so that it doesn’t rattle around and damage the vehicle or the item itself.

An additional well liked piece of equipment that helps with mobility is the lift device. This applied science operates under the same principle as the loader, but in addition to picking up the scooter or wheelchair, it also picks up the person. The lift works best when the person using the chair or scooter is the passenger.

In situations where the person with physical challenges is the driver, items like driving aids carry a lot of importance. For instance , steering devices, brake and gas controls, and accelerators can be used in a vehicle to make life easier for the driver. As a matter of fact, there are many people facing limitations that wouldn’t be able to drive at all if it weren’t for these devices.

All of the advances made on mobility vans, lifts, loaders, and driving aids have made getting around significantly easier for those combating physical limitations . When considering where to purchase the items , it is crucial to choose a company with a large inventory and considerable experience in the field.

People who are searching the Internet for more information about how to lose weight fast, then please make sure to go to the website that was mentioned right in this passage.

Hearing Amplifiers and Voice Recognition for the Disabled

Myisha — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 00:51:07 +0000

Some extremely useful devices on the market today are hearing amplifiers and voice recognition software. These items can both add convenience to our lives and increase our ability to be productive. In a very literal sense, these things can change the way we interact with computers, other people, and many entertainment devices.

Voice recognition is one of those things that a lot of people associate with science fiction television, but in truth, we’ve gotten to the point where it works surprisingly well with our modern technology. These programs can be extremely useful for a large number of people.

A voice recognition service will let you interact with a computer inputting text or using different voice commands. That means you can create documents, send emails, and generate reports without having to type a single word. This software is perfect for anyone that does a lot of dictation or otherwise repetitive tasks. It can also be useful for people with various disabilities that still need to interact their computers.

You should always check your voice recognition software to make sure that it provides the accuracy and quality you need. You should also make sure it has the specialty vocabularies you need if you are dictating medical or legal documents. Another option is to find the software that allows you to create custom voice commands to automate various tasks.

Many people use hearing amplifiers for the same reason they use voice recognition software – to make their daily activities easier or more productive. Hearing amplifiers, though, are generally used by people that suffer from some kind of hearing impairment. (Actual hearing loss should be diagnosed and treated by a qualified doctor.)

A hearing amplifier can be used in many different ways, and millions of people all over the world are discovering that. The most obvious application is to reduce the ambient and environmental sounds in the area, while simultaneously increasing the relevant sounds they need to hear.

A lot of people turn to hearing amplifiers so that they can start performing their daily activities the way they used to. With one of these devices you can listen to the TV without increasing the volume to extreme levels, and people won’t have to raise their voices just to be heard. Many problems are immediately overcome when you can block out ambient noises that are the source of the issues.

Whether you are employing hearing amplifiers or a new type of voice recognition software, your ability to perform daily tasks can increase with these items. Is it worth it to look into these devices if it means you can live the way you always wanted?

Life can be very difficult for the hearing or otherwise impaired. which is why there are companies that make things like voice recognition and hearing amplifiers. Without tools such as these, the impaired would have it much worse.

Hearing Aids – Are They All The Same?

Transfer Shower Benches For The Disabled

Myisha — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:48:06 +0000

Do you, or somebody you know, need a way to slide into their tubs or showers? Do you even know if you need a bench? If you or somebody you love is having trouble getting in and out of the bathtub, due to leg weakness, a handicap or disability, or the inability to remember how to use their legs for those afflicted by a stroke, then a shower transfer bench may be the answer.

A shower bench is a long bench made of water proof or water resistant material. Half of the transfer bench remains outside of the tub, while the other half sits in the tub. This allows the individual to sit down outside of the shower tub without having to lift his or her legs and then slide over into the shower. It also allows for the individual, during their shower or bath, to place their hygiene products within reach.

By using a bath transfer bench, people do not have to worry about falling when getting in and out of the shower tub, which gives them a peace of mind. In addition to a peace of mind, it allows for people to care for themselves longer. Finally, a shower transfer bench allows the person to feel more in control of his or her life while being cleaner because they are still able to bathe without having to turn to a sponge bath.

Installation of these shower transfer benches can be as simple as putting together the bench and placing one foot of the bench inside the bathtub or shower and leaving the other foot on the outside. For more permanent solutions, these transfer benches can be affixed onto the shower walls.

There is nothing wrong with needing to use a shower transfer bench. Using a bench does not mean that you are helpless. A person who chooses to use a transfer bench is helping to prevent themselves from falling and becoming injured. A shower transfer bench can help a person remain independent for a long period of time.

These benches are not only for the disabled or those in electric wheelchairs but can help the elderly or post surgery persons. They act as support and sitting devices for those times when one is unable to stand for long periods.

Get more information about the shower accessories and handicap shower benches that will improve your comfort. Companies offer many options and styles that range in price. Visit handicappedequipment.org and find out the choices and costs of bath transfer benches.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Stanton
http://EzineArticles.com/?Shower-Transfer-Bench&id=3585817

No related posts.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles Can Help The Disabled Travel Independently

Myisha — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 16:18:35 +0000

Accessible Automobiles and Vehicles For The Disabled

Author: Steph Stanton

It is time to be the driver of a wheelchair accessible vehicle rather than being the passenger and being dependent on others for transportation. This is the first step in becoming independent. Getting a wheelchair accessible vehicle means choosing exactly where and whenever you wish to go, such as to the office, to work, shopping or to be outside, enjoying the sun and being leisurely. Individuals who use a wheelchair ultimately want to be able to access the world like their peers. Anything that brings them towards self-sufficiency and without assistance from others will be a great aid.

Accessible automobiles can be used by paraplegics, people with spinal cord defects, injury victims, those with severe arthritis and people with limited mobility that have restrictions with the use of their legs.

Any cars that have an automatic transmission can be changed into accessible automobiles. The process requires some installation of hand controls or portable hand controls. Once installed, either one will provide benefits to the user in the vehicle. Best of all, those without disabilities can still drive the car or van. These are simply attachments that make it easier for the disabled but not harder for the abled. The driver has a choice to use the controls or ignore them. The vehicle would still be functioning as would the pedals of the vehicle.

Handicap hand controls are simple to add on and easy to disassemble from a car or van. They fit most vehicles with an automated transmission. After a couple of minutes of tightening and screwing work on the steering wheel, gas and break petals, the hand controls are ready to be used. Hire a professional to install them if you have any hesitation. It is better pay more to assure the proper installation than for the controls to fall apart while driving. Almost any car can be a handicap vehicle.

Handicap accessible vans and/or minivans are available from Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Toyota and others. These personally customized handicap vehicles can include low floors, higher ceilings, lifts and ramps for wheelchairs, tie-downs to keep the wheelchair in place, and transfer seats. Wheelchair entry can be created on the side entry or the rear or back entry with the van. Custom made specifications can be made in accordance with your abilities. Choose more power features and remote manage items if needed. Some of these features of handicap vehicles include parking brakes that are controlled by a switch and electric wheelchair locking techniques. There are also options that have joystick steering.

Other items you should include on to a wheelchair accessible vehicle are remote controls, remote starter, and a source of communication, for example, a cell telephone. These will help improve the usability of the vehicles for the disabled persons and prepare them in case of any accidents.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/disabilities-articles/wheelchair-accessible-vehicles-can-help-the-disabled-travel-independently-2503892.html

About the Author

Read more about handicap equipment for cars and the options one might have to create a handicap vehicle. If you already have a van and need a handicap van conversion, find out the costs and choices before making that big decision. Whatever you decide, these changes will improve one’s quality of life and bring back independence.

Ceiling Mounted Hoists

Myisha — Thu, 20 May 2010 19:35:14 +0000

Mounting the hoist to the ceiling is usually the preferred method of installation when considering the manual handling of a patient or disabled person. A ceiling mounted hoist has several advantages over alternative lifting methods.

- A ceiling hoist takes up no floor space
- The user can operate independently
- Permanently fixed hoist and portable hoists available on ceiling mounted tracks
- Does not require 2 carers to operate, as is currently recommended when using mobile floor hoists
- The ceiling hoist track can travel from room to room
- The portable hoist option is easily detached for use on tracking installed in other rooms
- Installing Ceiling Mounted Hoists

Most structures are able to accommodate a ceiling mounted hoist. A variety of solutions are available to assist installation. The following applications are commonplace.

- Concrete ceilings
- Steel webbed joists
- Cathedral/sloping ceilings
- Steel and timber I beams
- Timber joists
- Suspended ceilings
- Pitched roofs

Ceiling Hoist Track Configurations

There are several track layouts to choose from which are determined by the lifting requirements in the room.

- Straight Tracking
- Straight track with 45 or 90 degree bends
- Room to room track systems
- XY or H frame tracking system
- Turntables
- Y Junction Exchangers
- Wall Mounting
- Semi-permanent tracking

Straight tracking is the easiest to install and most cost effective means of hoisting, enabling basic lifting of the user from position to position in a straight line. Adding curved sections to the track permits greater room coverage and increased lifting and repositioning flexibility. For full room coverage the XY system is required. This involves two straight sections of track being fixed adjacent to each other on each side of the room with another track joining the two. The XY hoist track system allows full room coverage and is an increasingly popular choice.

Fixed ceiling hoist features can include:

- User programmable features
- Emergency stop and lowering
- Battery and charging system
- Return to charge feature
- Wireless remote control available
- Power sharing function for turntables, gates and exchangers

How much does a ceiling hoist cost?

The cost of a ceiling mounted hoist is determined by a number of factors.

- The length of the tracking
- The number and complexity of bends if required
- The ceiling construction
- The number and type of fixings required
- The weight of the hoist user/s

A straight track hoist 3 metres in length and fixed to timber joists, or to a concrete ceiling, would normally cost less than 2000. For a 3 metre x 3 metre XY system the price would normally be between 2500 and 3000.

Christian Dunnage is a director of Dolphin Mobility Ltd, a UK based independent supplier of stair lifts, ceiling hoists and mobility products.

No related posts.