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.
Need help moving from a seated to standing position? For bariatric patients who struggle with mobility, heavy duty lift chairs can make a world of difference in everyday life. These lift chairs are specifically designed to support a high weight capacity, and are built with incredible durability.
A bariatric lift chair features a sturdy frame and a motorized lift mechanism. This functionality allows the seat to be raised or lowered with the push of a button, helping users sit down and rise from a seated position safely. These chairs are often equipped with a variety of features designed to increase comfort and safety: including armrests, adjustable headrests, and lumbar support.
Here, we've put together a comprehensive list of the top heavy duty lift chairs available in the United States. These chairs lead the industry in terms of comfort and functionality, making them the perfect choice for your home.
Two of the most common everyday mobility solutions are power wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Both allow users to easily navigate daily excursions without the stress of walking, though they do have important differences. Here, we’ll cover what differentiates power wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as well as how to choose which solution is best for you.
Mobility Scooters
If you or a loved one needs some extra support “getting around”, mobility scooters are the most popular, affordable option. These battery-powered scooters are great for users who need only mild to moderate mobility assistance, as they do require arm and torso strength to operate the tiller handle.
Mobility scooters can be excellent for travel: many models fold down or disassemble to be easily tucked away in a storage compartment. This bypasses the need to purchase an expensive vehicle lift. Mobility scooters come in many lightweight models to make even airline travel a breeze.
For those wanting to maintain their independence and a busy lifestyle, mobility scooters can make a world of difference. Built for users who struggle to walk long distances, scooters can drive across dozens of miles on a single charge.
One of the most important considerations when purchasing a mobility scooter is determining where you want the scooter to take you. For most individuals, a scooter will be used indoors, in shopping centers, or in other day-to-day environments.
However, some users may be looking for a little more adventure. Do you often travel on dirt paths, gravel, grass, or sand? Don’t want to miss the family camping trip or beach day? It may be time to consider an all-terrain scooter.
Designed to withstand rugged, uneven terrain, these heavy-duty scooters are capable of traveling almost anywhere.
While individual models may vary, most all-terrain scooters have the following features:
Shock absorption systems for a smooth ride on uneven ground
Both walkers and rollators can be incredible, affordable mobility tools for users who struggle to walk around independently. Whether you’re recovering from a surgery, illness, or simply need some extra support, these tools can help users safely maintain an active lifestyle.
However, there are some key differences between the two: it’s important that you select the right product for your individual needs. In this blog, we’ll go over the differences between walkers and rollators to help guide you to a confident purchase.
Walkers
Walkers have four legs which all stay firmly planted on the ground to support a user’s weight. In order to move forward, users need to physically lift the walker off the ground, then place it back down again one step ahead.
Walkers are great for individuals who need extra balance assistance. Because all four legs touch the ground at all times when bearing weight, they are a stable tool to partially support your body weight.
As the older US population continues to grow, many individuals prefer to maintain their independence by aging in place gracefully in their homes. Yet faced with new mobility constraints, a lifelong home can suddenly become full of safety hazards.
Here’s the good news: there are plenty of steps you can take to make your home accessible and safe for yourself or a loved one. These adjustments don’t require expensive or lengthy home renovations, and can make a huge difference in overall quality of life.
Household Lighting
Without clear lighting, it can be easy to trip over furniture or stumble in the dark. Make sure your home has strong overhead lights that illuminate each potential obstacle in your home. Even at night, plug in nightlights and place lighting tracks along dark stairways.
Flooring Material
Don’t forget about your floors! Check that all carpets are securely attached to floors and short enough for smooth wheelchair navigation. Install slip-resistant flooring and grip mats in
If you’re searching for a hospital bed for you or a loved one, you may wonder about Medicare coverage. While Medicare does cover basic hospital beds for qualifying patients, a specific set of conditions must be met.
Requirements for a Medicare-approved hospital bed
In order to qualify for a hospital bed under Medicare, you must meet the following requirements.
Have an approved, documented medical condition
Qualifying conditions range from congestive heart failure to breathing problems. Hospital beds are prescribed to individuals who require a head-of-bed angle higher than 30 degrees or sleeping positions that are not possible with a normal bed.
A signed Medical Necessity Certificate
A participating physician must prescribe a hospital bed based on a documented medical condition, paired with a signed Medical Necessity certificate. Each bed model and add-on comes with additional documentation requirements.
What will Medicare cover?
If the above conditions are met, Medicare will cover
Mobility scooters can be a great option for anyone needing an extra bit of support and independence to live an active lifestyle. By finding the right scooter for your needs, you won’t miss a beat in accomplishing daily errands, excursions, or even international travel.
When to purchase a mobility scooter
Do you or a loved one ever avoid going out because of the required walking or other fatigue the trip would create? Do you struggle to “keep up” with others? A mobility scooter can instantly make your life more comfortable, giving you the energy to accomplish more in your day.
Elderly users often benefit from mobility scooters, as well as those with a handicap or illness that impacts their mobility. Scooters can also be a great fit for individuals recovering from surgery, allowing them to get back to their busy lives as soon as possible.
Benefits of a mobility scooter
Greater Independence
Forget being limited to smooth pathways– the right mobility scooter can take you just about anywhere.
