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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates the majority of fatal injuries and non-fatal trauma-related hospital admissions are caused by falls. Considering many of these falls occur when walking up and down the stairs, investing in a stair lift can go a long way in preventing a sudden injury. When it comes to senior care, going above and beyond to protect them and their mobility limitations is often a requirement. Their stair lift could be essential in how high their quality of life is, so it’s important to maintain it properly to keep it operating as smoothly and efficiently as possible for as long as you can.

Wipe Down Your Stair Lift Regularly

Dusting your indoor stair lift at least once a week can keep dust and debris from building up on it. Allowing dust to build up on the track can disrupt the track, which could cause it to not operate as smoothly. And if you have an outdoor stair lift, cleaning it more often may be required since it’s exposed to more elements daily. Just be sure to clean it safely at the bottom of the stairs to reduce the risk of falling while performing the task.

Check Your Owner’s Manual For Cleaning Tips

Every stair lift is different and requires various cleaning techniques. While it’s easy to dust off the product every few days, there may be other routine maintenance checks you need to do once a month or a few times a year. A dangerous situation can be created if a stair lift is not operating smoothly since it could come off the track and make it unstable. For a person with mobility limitations, even the slightest jerk could make them lose their balance and potentially fall or injure themselves. If you’re a caregiver, consider testing the product out yourself so you know how it should work and can identify any issues it may be having.

Call A Professional For Maintenance Periodically

If you need assistance performing any maintenance on your stair lift, it’s recommended to call a professional to service it. In fact, it may be valuable to make this a routine task to ensure it’s always working as it should be. At the very least, the professional can lubricate the track during their visit and tighten any screws on the device, which can be difficult to access on some models. Having a professional out will ensure your stair lift is always operating properly, and will also protect your investment for years to come.

Next Day Access is here to help people with mobility limitations experience independent living again. Our accessibility products and solutions are geared toward helping patients and caregivers alike, and we are available to answer any questions or provide advice about your products along the way. To learn more about how our solutions can help you, feel free to Nous contacter at any time.

One thing many seniors express as being important to them when they have mobility limitations is independence. While you may not be able to help them physically feel like they can get up and do the things they want to do, home modifications for seniors can help them feel more independent. For multi-level homes, or homes with stairs indoors or outdoors, a stair lift can make a world of difference. The freedom and independence a stair lift provides may be exactly what they need to age in place happily and safely.

Easily Access Any Stairs With A Stair Lift

Whether you or your loved one has a long straight staircase, a curved staircase, stairs to a deck, patio, basement or garage, a stair lift can be installed virtually anywhere. It will be professionally installed directly to the staircase to be as stable as possible and can let you go up and down with a quick touch of a button. Many seniors and others with limited mobility often express their disappointment with not being able to access every area of their home, but a stair lift can solve some of those issues.

Custom Stair Lifts Offer Attractive Options

Stair lifts have evolved over the years to the point where they now can be customized in many ways. Depending on your specific needs, a stair lift can be configured to have different weight capacities, a power swivel chair, folding rails at the bottom of the staircase and more. Even the color of the stair lift and the attached rails can be customized to match your decor. While this aspect doesn’t necessarily boost the independence factor, it helps create an attractive look in the home to make aging in place seem a little more comfortable.

Home Modifications Can Help Seniors Age In Place

Falling down the stairs is scary for an aging adult and can lead to serious injuries. Not only that, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects the financial toll to reach more than $67 billion in 2020 for treating fall-related injuries. This statistic alone is enough to scare some seniors from moving around as much as they would like in their homes, particularly going up and down stairs. Simple home modifications for seniors can make a big difference and boost their confidence. Aging in place makes sense as seniors can have a certain level of independence, while also feeling safe with accessibility assistance.

Next Day Access understands how difficult it can be to feel independent in your own home when you have mobility limitations. Whether you need a straight stair lift or a curved one, this product alone can give you the confidence and ability to access all areas of your home with relative ease. Independence is a great feeling and boosts a senior’s mental state, so Nous contacter today to explore some of our available options and see how we can help.

When you’ve had a serious injury or disability, or are caring for someone who has experienced one, the limited mobility can be tough to deal with physically and emotionally. Routine tasks like getting in and out of bed or going to the bathroom may now require assistance from a caregiver to prevent falling and subsequent injuries. One of the most vital accessibility tools for the home in situations like these is a patient lift. Both the patient and the caregiver can benefit from it in many ways.

 

A Patient Lift Keeps Patients Safe

Patients often feel like they can resume their normal activities after undergoing a major procedure. But even if they feel like they can move around on their feet and perform different tasks, the reality is their mobility is impaired more than they think many times. A patient lift can get them where they want to go in their home without the fear of losing balance and injuring themselves. With the help of a caregiver to get in and out of the patient lift, they won’t have to strain as much and can feel much safer doing normal tasks.

 

Benefits Of A Patient Lift For Caregivers

Arguably the biggest beneficiaries of a patient lift are caregivers themselves. Hospitals use patient lifts regularly to help nurses move their patients. Having one in the home can provide the same benefit to a caregiver, since they won’t have to put as much strain on their body to help the patient move. In many ways, an injury to a caregiver is almost just as likely as an injury to the patient when the right equipment isn’t used. One minor mistake can be devastating, but a patient lift leaves more room for error and keeps both individuals safe in the process.

 

Make The Hospital to Home Transition Easier

With the constant care patients receive in the hospital, it’s often more difficult to go home since there aren’t as many accessibility tools available. However, a patient lift combined with other accessibility equipment can make the hospital to home transition much easier for everyone involved. Dealing with an injury or general mobility limitations can be difficult, but with the right equipment and tools, some of the strain can be taken away from both patients and caregivers. You may not have the experience of a professional nurse, but you can provide equivalent care to your loved one in the comfort of their home.

 

Next Day Access can help you prepare your home for accessibility in advance of a major procedure when you know mobility will be limited. But even if you’ve experienced an unexpected injury, we can equip you with the right tools quickly to help make day-to-day life a little easier for you. It all starts with a quick phone call to discuss your needs, so feel free to reach out to us at any time.

Installing a wheelchair ramp for accessibility in your home can be one of the most important decisions you make. Millions of Americans have to be treated at a medical facility due to falling and injuring themselves, and many of the situations involve falling down the stairs. In fact, statistics from the National Council on Aging indicate an elderly adult is treated in an emergency room every 11 seconds because of a fall. Once you’ve decided a mobility ramp is a good solution for you, it’s time to choose what material you would like out of the most popular options: wood or aluminum.

Benefits of an Aluminum Wheelchair Ramp

Most of the time aluminum is the material of choice when people decide to buy a mobility ramp. The textured surface makes it easier to get traction when walking on it, and the material itself shows very few signs of wear and tear under normal conditions. Different surface options, styles and configurations are available to meet all of your needs. And unlike other materials, aluminum ramps are virtually maintenance-free except for washing off dirt and debris that can accumulate over time.

Complement Your Home’s Aesthetics With Powder Coating

One of the downfalls of an aluminum wheelchair ramp is it’s difficult to match the aesthetics of a home with natural aluminum material. However, when you choose an aluminum wheelchair ramp, you have the option of getting it powder-coated to make it more visually pleasing. Some of the available color options include tan, bronze and black, which go well with the aesthetics of the majority of homes today. Plus, you get the benefit of the powder coating adding another layer of protection to the ramp so it won’t corrode or get scratched or marked up as easily. Homeowners who need a wheelchair ramp often don’t want the ramp to stand out from a curb appeal standpoint. Powder coating offers a viable solution in these instances.

Allow A Professional To Evaluate Your Space

Aesthetics are important to consider when installing a wheelchair ramp, but you should also consider longevity, safety, stability, and other factors. A trained professional will listen to your specific needs and take into consideration the layout of your home or commercial space. You can receive a detailed sketch laying out exactly what the ramp would look like and clearly understand the benefits and downfalls before making a decision. Wheelchair ramps are great investments, so taking some time to consider all options is valuable.

Next Day Access wants to make independent living easier and more accessible than ever before for our customers. There are a lot of options and decisions to be made, but they are usually well worth the time and energy when you consider the boost in quality of life. We will help you navigate through the process of increasing accessibility in your home and we are always available to answer any questions you may have, so Nous contacter today to start with a free home assessment.

Whether you are dealing with a disability or if your age is making it more difficult to move around throughout the day, you already know what your day-to-day challenges are. It shouldn’t be a major challenge to perform basic tasks and live an active lifestyle. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics estimates over 25 million Americans have disabilities that limit their travel in some capacity. In many situations, the right mobility equipment can make your day-to-day life and any transportation arrangements much simpler.

Have Wheelchair Ramps Installed

Going up and down stairs can be challenging and dangerous for people with limited mobility. Even small steps can be enough to throw off your balance. A common solution is to install wheelchair ramps for easy access in and out of your home. You don’t have to be temporarily or permanently bound to a wheelchair for a ramp to be beneficial since the gradual incline and decline are much easier than stepping up and down stairs.

Boost Comfort With Chair Lifts

Investing in chair lifts can significantly increase your quality of life. They are designed to lean forward to help you stand up easier from a seated position. Chair lifts help to reduce the pressure applied to your muscles, joints, and bones when you need to get up from your chair. Plus, you’ll have more stability to reduce the risk of losing your balance and falling. There are many chair lift options available to fit a variety of needs.

Try A Mobility Scooter

Mobility scooters can be used inside or outside the home. If you like living an active lifestyle and going to different places outside of the home, then you may also consider purchasing a vehicle lift so you can take the scooter wherever you go. These devices are simple to use and can provide an instant boost to your quality of life. Three-wheeled versions offer better maneuverability and are ideal for navigating tight spaces on even surfaces. Four-wheeled mobility scooters provide more stability due to even weight distribution, which is important if you often ride over rough or uneven terrain.

Stair Lifts Make Staircases Safer

If you have a multi-story home or a porch with several stairs, then a stair lift is a great consideration to make your home safer. It attaches to the staircase itself for ultimate stability to go up and down your stairs with ease and without having to lift a foot sometimes. There are multiple options available whether you have a straight staircase, a curved staircase or even one with multiple landings.

Next Day Access is here to help make your home wheelchair accessible to improve your day-to-day life. Living a high quality of life is entirely possible, even if you can’t move around easily on your own. To learn more about our accessibility products and to receive a free home assessment, Nous contacter at any time.

The feeling of being restricted in your own home isn’t a very good one. When you’re young, healthy and capable, this feeling may prompt you to want to find a new home to live in. However, if you’ve been in your home for a long time or love everything about your home with a few exceptions, then making modifications may be the ideal option. For multi-level homes with limited landing space, the right accessibility products can make the area seem larger and more accessible for seniors living at home.

A Stair Lift Is Compact And Installs On Any Staircase

The first thought some people have when they think of a stair lift is it’s going to take up too much space on the staircase. The reality is stair lifts today are made as compact as possible, while still offering optimal sturdiness and comfortability. The rail system is installed on the existing staircase and takes up a very small amount of space. Whether your home has a straight or a curved staircase, there is a stair lift available to suit your needs. There are indoor and outdoor options available to give you more access to every area of your home.

A Vertical Platform Lift Solves Many Accessibility Problems

If you want to keep your staircases completely clear, then a vertical platform lift may be the right solution to give you the accessibility you desire. They don’t take up a significant amount of floor space and many models are large enough to allow you to wheel a wheelchair or scooter on it with ease. Vertical platform lifts can be installed indoors or outdoors and can be open or enclosed. It’s a very popular solution for people who don’t want to take up space on their stairs, but still need access to different levels without using the stairs.

Modify Your Home To Fulfill Your Needs

Everyone has different accessibility needs and every home is designed differently. When you think about what would make your day-to-day life easier, having a professional evaluate your home is the next step in making it more accessible. With the wide range of accessibility tools and products available today, seniors living at home can stay in the home they love and still feel like they aren’t restricted. Comfort and peace of mind are two factors that shouldn’t be compromised, and simple home modifications may be the solution to ensure those attributes remain.

Next Day Access enjoys helping seniors living at home feel like they aren’t restricted in any way. No matter the extent of the mobility limitations, we have a solution available to meet your needs. It all begins by calling us for a free home assessment. We will listen to all of your questions and concerns and be transparent throughout the process. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

It’s a scary thing to experience an elderly loved one falling the first time. And sometimes it’s even scarier for them to the point where they are hesitant to move around as much as they used to. A fall can happen for many reasons, including muscle weakness, balance issues, poor stability or even just accidentally tripping on clutter on the floor. An older adult is treated in the emergency room every 11 seconds due to a fall, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Prevention. If you’re taking care of an elderly loved one after their first fall, you can expect things to change with them mentally and physically.

One Fall Increases The Likelihood of Another

The main reason why one fall increases the chances of experiencing another fall is because of confidence concerns. Even if they say the fall didn’t affect them, pay close attention to what they say and how they move around. Their recent fall is likely still in their memory so they may choose to not do certain activities out of caution. It’s one thing to be proactive in your steps to prevent falls, but you can’t let your loved one live in fear and resort to a sedentary lifestyle.

Fear Of Falling Can Lead To A Sedentary Lifestyle

Living a sedentary lifestyle can lead to a host of health concerns. Muscle weakness can slowly occur, which can result in a lack of balance since the person can’t move as easily and as smoothly as they think they can. Eating habits often change as well with a sedentary lifestyle. AARP cautions people to evaluate their diet and make adjustments if needed to create more balance. The combination of being immobile and poor eating habits can take a toll on a person’s health as they get older.

How To Boost Confidence With Physical Movement

Encourage your elderly loved one to get up and move throughout the day and help them understand how to prevent falls. Evaluate the living space and see what can be changed to make them feel safer and more comfortable. It might be that a threshold ramp can make moving around the home easier. And if there are staircases indoors or outdoors, a stair lift can create a safe and easy way to go up and down without the fear of falling. The more movement you can get them to do, the more their confidence will grow and their previous fall will be a distant memory.

Next Day Access offers various accessibility products and solutions to help you prevent falls in your home. Most falls can be prevented with the right tools and equipment, and they are worthy investments when you consider the mental and physical stress your elderly loved one’s body can go through after a fall. Be sure to give us a call to schedule a free home assessment and we can help play a role in ensuring another fall doesn’t occur.

As a family caregiver, your main job is to ensure your loved one is safe and taken care of in their home. Depending on the extent of the mobility limitations they have, installing a wheelchair ramp may be an ideal solution. However, trying to build a ramp yourself or hiring someone for the cheapest cost may not be a solution to pursue. The size of the ramp, the steepness, the materials, and other factors play a major role in how safe and secure the ramp is for seniors living at home. In most cases, having a qualified professional install your wheelchair ramp is the way to go.

Steepness Is A Critical Attribute

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a wheelchair ramp should be one foot long for every inch high, with the starting point of the measurements being the ramp’s landing point. Many people make the mistake of building the ramp too steep, which can be just as dangerous as walking down steps. If there is any precipitation or moisture on the ramp, it can create a slip hazard and an unsafe access point. Plus, if your loved one uses a wheelchair, mobility scooter or other mobility devices, it may be difficult or even impossible for them to go up the ramp on their own.

Consider Mobility Needs When Determining Wheelchair Ramp Width

The width of the wheelchair ramp can be a little more flexible based on your needs. It needs to be at least wide enough for a wheelchair or scooter plus a little extra room on each side. You may also consider making it wide enough for two people to walk on the ramp side-by-side comfortably in situations where you’ll have to assist your loved one walking up or down it. Ramps can be customized to your needs based on the location they will be installed, so consider all of your needs before investing in one.

Allow Accessibility Professionals To Complete The Job

Having an accessibility professional install your wheelchair ramp will ensure safety and security. They can also evaluate different aspects of your home and determine whether a portable wheelchair ramp would be more beneficial in certain locations rather than a permanent one. They will work with ADA standards in mind and go above and beyond the basic requirements to ensure safety. And as a caregiver, you can have peace of mind and assistance knowing the ramp will help you do your job more easily.

Next Day Access takes great pride in offering and installing high-quality products to ensure safety and security for people with mobility limitations. A wheelchair ramp can make a huge difference in the day-to-day life of seniors living at home when they don’t have to worry about going up and down the stairs. If you’re ready to pursue accessibility options for your loved one’s home, Nous contacter today to schedule a free home assessment.

Whether you are a caregiver taking care of a loved one at their home or if you have people with limited mobility visit your home frequently, making it wheelchair accessible can make it safer and more convenient. According to Disabled-World.com, more than 6.8 million Americans use an assistive device to help them get around, and roughly 1.7 million of those people opt for a wheelchair or mobility scooter. Installing a wheelchair ramp in certain locations around the home can make a world of difference for people with limited mobility. These accessibility options can help ensure they are able to move freely in your home.

Install A Threshold Ramp At The Entrance

A threshold ramp can be installed anywhere there is a slight incline or decline, like a step up to enter the home, different rooms, garages, basements and more. For a person with limited mobility, even lifting their foot a few inches can reduce their balance and stability drastically enough to create a fall risk. Threshold ramps aren’t too difficult to install and your loved one will appreciate the easier access.

Bathroom Accessibility Considerations

The bathroom is one of the most important places to make wheelchair accessible. Bathrooms are typically narrower than other rooms, making it difficult for people in wheelchairs to navigate without assistance. You could consider making the doorway a little wider, installing a portable shower, attaching grab bars to the wall and more. Some slight remodeling of the bathroom could be required to make it completely accessible, but it’s usually worth the effort when it means your loved one can get in and out of the bathroom freely and easily. 

Outdoor Accessibility Tips

A wheelchair ramp is often the first thought people have when it comes to making their outdoor space more accessible. Eliminating stairs in favor of a ramp significantly reduces the risk of tripping and falling and takes the strain off of anyone with mobility limitations entering your home. Whether you prefer a powder-coated or aluminum ramp, you won’t have to sacrifice aesthetics and receive the benefit of a safer home as a result.

A vertical platform lift is also a viable option depending on how the stairs are configured to enter your home. Many people install a vertical platform lift in their backyard where the porch is since it sometimes makes the most sense to keep any stairs or steps intact in those areas. However, if there’s another area of your home where it would be valuable to install a vertical platform lift, an accessibility professional can evaluate the space to determine whether it’s possible to do so.

At Next Day Access, we want to assist in making your home as safe as possible for people with mobility limitations. Sometimes this simply means installing a secure wheelchair ramp, while other times more additions or adjustments are needed. We strive to make your day-to-day life easier to navigate, so Nous contacter today to begin your free home assessment and learn more.