For customers, loved ones, or anyone with a mobility device, a wheelchair ramp can make a world of difference in everyday life. These ramps let users safely and independently access buildings and places that would otherwise not be possible for them.
If you’re a business owner, installing a wheelchair ramp at your business may be mandatory in order to comply with ADA requirements. But these ramps aren’t just for businesses– consider installing a ramp at your home for greater day-to-day accessibility.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the differences between a temporary vs permanent wheelchair ramp so that you can make the best purchase decision for your unique needs.
What are Wheelchair Ramps?
Wheelchair ramps are platforms that make it easy for people with mobility restrictions to navigate inclines and declines. They can be essential for those who use wheelchairs, power scooters, rollators, and even busy parents with strollers.
An accessible alternative to stairs (and far more affordable
Invested in a ramp? Here is a guide on how to prolong the life of a ramp.
For individuals and loved ones with limited mobility, wheelchair ramps are critical tools to access the world around them. Whether installed in a home setting, or public building, or folded and taken on trips, a wheelchair ramp can provide safety and increased independence for many.
Like any other piece of equipment, it’s important to consider periodic maintenance for your wheelchair ramp. This makes sure it remains safe and functional, as well as can significantly prolong its product lifespan.
In this blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about maintaining your wheelchair ramp– cleaning, proper maintenance, and storage– all to keep it in pristine condition for years to come.
Understanding Your Wheelchair Ramp
Types of Wheelchair Ramps
Wheelchair ramps are constructed from various materials, each with its own unique properties. For example: an aluminum wheelchair ramp is lightweight, while wooden
Business owners and ADA requirements- a guide to navigating ADA compliance.
If you’re a business owner with a physical storefront or office space, it’s important that you understand and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This civil rights law, which was launched in 1990, is a cornerstone of accessibility requirements for individuals with disabilities. Under Title III of the ADA, all businesses that are classified as “public accommodations”— a term that refers to businesses that are open to and serve the public— must comply with the ADA.
For business owners with physical spaces, ADA compliance includes ensuring that visitors with a mobility device or mobility limitations can safely navigate your building. In practice, this can mean things like offering accessible parking spaces, installing wheelchair ramps to create accessible routes adding handrail extensions to stairs, and more (also see Med Mart's portable ramps).
For loved ones who struggle with getting in and out of an upright position, something as simple as sitting in a chair can become a daily challenge. Home lift chairs can dramatically improve the quality of life for both patients and caregivers, offering a way to safely transfer to and from a sitting position without external assistance (just press a button to activate the lift chair motor!).
Whether you're looking for affordable lift recliners or the best comfort chairs on the market, we've got you covered. Read on for a round-up of our top lift chairs, from least to most expensive in order to accommodate any budget.
The Aura Luxe by RizeUp offers a luxurious power lift chair experience at a more affordable price point. Equipped with all of the lift chair features you’ve come to love: zero-gravity mode, a USB charging port, hand controller, and a powerful chair lift mechanism, this chair can support
Do you know what the most dangerous room in your home is?
You may be surprised. Even considering the hot stove and sharp knives in the kitchen, bathrooms are statistically the most accident-prone room in your home.
One report by the CDC in 2008 found that an estimated 234,094 accidents occurred in residential bathrooms every year. These accidents can range from broken bones to serious head injuries.
For elderly individuals or those who struggle with mobility, bathrooms can be particularly tricky to navigate safely due to slippery floors, hard tile, and frequent transfers.
Don’t let you or a loved one become a statistic. Here are some of our top tips to improve the safety and mobility of your home bathroom.
Consider a shower wheelchair
Shower chairs can take the headache out of tricky transfers from a wheelchair to shower or tub. These non-corrosive waterproof chairs are designed to be wheeled directly into and used in the shower– no transfer required.
Have you heard of a geri chair? Designed for individuals with mobility challenges, geri chairs (also known as geriatric chairs or jerry chairs) offer a comfortable and supportive wheeled seating solution beyond typical wheelchairs and recliners. Depending on you or a loved one's needs, they can offer the perfect balance of mobility and relaxation.
Here, we'll explore what a geriatric chair is, different types of geri chairs, and what features to consider when shopping for the perfect chair for your lifestyle.
What is a Geri Chair?
A geri chair, often referred to as a medical recliner, blends the advantages of recliners and wheelchairs. These chairs prioritize comfort and support, featuring adjustable backrests, footrests, armrests, and head supports. Integrated wheels make it a breeze to move users between rooms or through hallways, without transferring to a lift or wheelchair.
While a conventional wheelchair is primarily designed for mobility (getting you from point A to B), a
Medicare Part B typically covers DME that is medically necessary for individuals at home. This includes mobility equipment like manual/power wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers, rollators, and more.
In all cases, the mobility equipment must be prescribed by a healthcare provider, approved via prior authorization, and the patient must be able to use the device at home. The exact coverage and out-of-pocket costs can vary widely, so it's important to confirm specifics with Medicare or a range for a wheelchair or mobility scooter healthcare provider.
Will Medicare pay for my wheelchair?
Medicare Part B often covers a manual wheelchair or power wheelchair if you have a health condition that limits mobility, and if other aids like canes or walkers are insufficient. You must be able to safely operate the wheelchair or have someone who can.
How do I receive a wheelchair through Medicare?
To get Medicare to pay for a wheelchair, your healthcare
Struggling with mobility can make even the simplest tasks seem impossible. That's where patient lifts come in– essential tools that make day-to-day transfers easier for both the patient and caregiver. From moving between rooms in the house to getting in and out of the pool, the right patient lift can safely move patients without putting any unnecessary strain on anyone.
However, with so many different models, features, and requirements to consider, finding the perfect patient lift for your needs can be overwhelming. That's why we've created the Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Patient Lifts. Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make an informed purchase decision.
And if you still have questions or need help choosing the right lift, our team of product specialists with decades of experience are always available to assist you.
Falls become an increasingly serious health risk as family members and loved ones age. One errant step or slip can result in serious injuries: broken bones, hip fractures, or infection. The best way to protect against these accidents? Take steps today to promote fall prevention in your home.
In this guide, we'll offer seven tips to decrease the risk of fall injury. These range from inexpensive home modifications, to overall adjustments the care team can make for older adults.
In this case, an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure.
Work with a professional
One of the most important steps in the fall prevention process is to work with a professional as needed. A physical therapist or occupational therapist can work individually with loved ones to improve muscle strength and injury recovery.
These professionals can conduct a formal risk assessment, offering tailored fall prevention strategies for your unique situation. In physical therapy, older adults can improve their strength,
There’s little doubt that quality of sleep is essential for overall health and well being. Despite that, a full 7-19% of adults do not get enough sleep to maintain a healthy lifestyle (National Institute of Health). Selecting the right bed for optimal sleep is one of the most important purchases you can make for you or a loved one’s overall health– it can even save your life!
For adults dealing with chronic illnessess, a loss of mobility, or a stationary lifestyle, finding the right bed is exponentially more important.
While most people know the importance of finding the right long term care bed, it’s easy to overlook one of the most important elements of a good night’s sleep: the mattress.
The right medical air mattress can support medical treatment and offer much needed pressure relief for loved ones.
In this blog, we'd love to introduce you to two of our favorite mattress types that help support patients: pressure redistribution mattresses and low air loss mattresses.
