Patient Lifts

6 Tips for Improving Bathroom Safety for Seniors

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. 

 

Many shower chairs, such as the Wings Shower Wheelchair, also include a detachable commode to remove the need to transition to and from the toilet. 

 

https://medmartonline.com/medacure-rolling-shower-wheelchair-with-commode

 

Choose safe materials for shower walls

Shower walls are an often-overlooked area of bathroom safety. Purchasing weighted shower curtains can help reduce the amount of water splashed on the floor, lowering the risk of slipping. Is your shower wall made of breakable glass? Consider replacing it with safety glass, which shatters into harmless pieces if broken. 

 

 

Invest in a handheld showerhead 


For individuals who struggle with mobility, moving a showerhead can be much easier than moving their body. Handheld showerheads allow a patient or caregiver to easily rinse from just about any angle without added physical strain. Look for showerheads that come with an extra long hose for added flexibility. 

 

https://medmartonline.com/vive-handheld-shower-head

 

Install safety handles and grab bars
Making your bathroom safe doesn’t have to mean expensive equipment or home renovations. Grab rails are easy to install and provide much-needed support for individuals who need help transferring to/from the toilet or shower or who want to navigate the bathroom more confidently. 


Mount grab bars next to the toilet, in the shower, or just about anywhere else some extra stability is needed– the possibilities are endless. 

 

Consider a walk-in bathtub


Enjoy the comfort of relaxing in a warm bath, without the fall risk. Simply open the door, walk into the tub, and seal the door behind you before turning on the faucet. These tubs include built-in seats and grab bars for extra stability.

 

Don’t forget about lighting


Few things are more critical to the safety of a room than quality lighting. With age, eyesight begins to deteriorate. We recommend installing nightlights or motion-activated lights leading up to and inside the bathroom. Doing so prevents unnecessary trips and falls during nighttime bathroom trips. 

While these tips are helpful, they are just the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of solutions that help improve the safety of your home bathroom. Some additional recommendations include (but are not limited to): 


Non-slip mats on the floor and shower
A raised toilet seat with handles to easily sit down and stand up
Transfer benches to make standard tubs safer to navigate 
And more…

Ultimately, the perfect bathroom solutions will be custom-tailored to your bathroom layout, preferences, and mobility needs.

We encourage you to browse our collection of hundreds of bath safety products or get in touch with one of our product specialists to find the best fit for your needs. 

https://medmartonline.com/bath-safety?p=1

 

Navigating the Tax Landscape of Medical Devices – A State-by-State Guide

Navigating the Tax Landscape of Medical Devices – A State-by-State Guide

When purchasing medical devices for personal or family use, your state may impact the overall cost of your items. While most states provide some form of sales tax exemption for medical devices, the details vary from state to state.

In general, most states provide a blanket exemption for all medical devices, or a tax exemption for medical devices prescribed by a licensed provider. However, there are some exceptions.

In this blog, we'll provide an overview of medical device taxes in each state.

 

Exemptions for All Prescribed Devices

To meet the tax exemption, these states require that a medical device be either prescribed or dispensed by a physician.

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

 

Exemptions for all Devices Regardless of Prescription

These devices do not require a prescription from a physician in order to meet tax exempt status.

Wyoming, Nevada, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey

 

Some Classes of Devices Taxed

 

In the following states, medical devices may be exempt from tax within certain situations. It's important to note the specifics, as exemptions often apply based on prescription, usage, or type of device.

If you live in one of the following states, we recommend researching the specific sales tax code to see if it applies to your situation.

  • Georgia: Exceptions apply to DME sold or prescribed by a physician
  • Minnesota: Subject to tax unless sold for home use or qualified under Medicare/Medicaid
  • Mississippi: Exemptions for certain equipment like prosthetics, orthotics, hearing devices, etc.
  • Montana: Subject to tax, with the exception of certain therapeutic and prosthetic devices.
  • Nebraska: Prescription required for mobility devices. For DME equipment, a prescription and eligibility for the medical assistance program must be established.
  • New Mexico: Exempt only if delivered by a licensed practitioner and the value of the device is included in the cost of service.
  • Ohio: Prescription required to meet exemption, except medical oxygen equipment sold for facility use.
  • South Carolina: Subject to tax, with the exception of devices paid for by South Carolina or Medicare/Medicare programs. These items must also be sold by a licensed South Carolina provider.
  • Washington: Subject to tax, with the exemption of certain items like prosthetic devices, oxygen systems, and others.

The following states do not have any statewide sales tax on any products, including medical devices.

Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon

 

Other Ways to Reduce the Cost of Your Medical Device

Understanding the tax landscape of medical devices is a single step in making an informed medical device purchase.

If you are looking for ways to cut costs when purchasing a medical device for you or a loved one, we also recommend:

Reviewing your insurance coverage: Most insurances provide at least partial coverage for prescribed medical devices.

Contacting a product expert here at Med Mart: With decades of experience, our experts can help you identify the most cost-effective equipment that fits both your needs and budget.

When to Consider a Patient Lift

The most common reason that our customers choose to purchase a patient lift is to reduce the risk of injury to both caretakers and patients during transfers. Helping a loved one from their bed into a wheelchair or helping them up from the floor after a fall may seem perfectly safe. However, when these transfers happen frequently they can cause back problems in caretakers and extreme discomfort for patients.

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Choosing the Right Patient Sling

Patient slings are necessary when using most types of patient lifts. Slings will ensure safety and stability during transfers, but you need to make sure to use the correct sling for both the lift and the patient. Understanding the purpose of the sling, as well as the size and weight of the patient, is imperative in finding the right model.

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Patient Lift Round Up

Are you looking for a patient lift for your home or healthcare facility? We’ve got you covered! From classic sit-to-stand lifts to car transfer lifts, we offer a wide variety of equipment that will meet your unique needs. There are endless options when it comes to the features and functions of lifts and it’s easy to get overwhelmed with choices. We’re going to help you find the perfect lift by breaking down the various types and popular features. If you have any questions or would like to speak with a product specialist, you can always give us a call at 1-888-260-4430.

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3 Products to Help Lift Someone Off of the Floor After a Fall

When you’re caring for a patient, especially someone recovering from an injury or who is aging, falls can and do occur. You may find yourself needing to lift someone from the floor, but doing so on your own can put you at risk for injury, and isn’t a comfortable experience for the patient.

At Med Mart, we have a number of products that can safely lift someone off of the floor after a fall.

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New York State Now Has Zero Lift Task Force

  Injuries in caregivers are a major issue, and every time a patient needs to be lifted or transferred, such injuries are possible. The New York State Zero Lift Task Force was created in 2005 to make environments safer for both patients and caregivers. If you’re not yet familiar with the Task Force, here’s what you need to know.

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Patient Lift Versus Stand Assist Lift

When you are planning to buy a lift, you’ll find that there are many lift varieties for sale today. Patient lifts and stand assist lifts are two common options, but they’re used for very different purposes. Let’s take a look at the features each lift offers and what situations it is most appropriate for.

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Patient Lift, Hoyer Lift, Stand Up Lift, Ceiling Lift – What’s the Difference?

Patient lifts, hoyer lifts, stand-up lifts, ceiling lifts – they all sound like they do the same thing, so what’s the difference? Each type of lift is intended to perform a certain function, so knowing the basics about these lifts can help you to choose the lift that is just right for your situation.

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