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When you think life couldn’t be any more predictable, a situation can happen that throws everything you’ve been thinking out the window. A critical life skill everyone must develop in some capacity is adaptability. Whether it’s in your personal or professional life, changes are going to introduce themselves, and you can choose to embrace them or resist them. Having the skills to adapt to certain situations can help you move forward and make the right decisions. Adaptability is a mindset, and here are reasons why it’s important to develop this mindset.

Embrace Changes In Your Life

Change is inevitable in your life. You will have control over some of the changes, but many of them will occur unexpectedly. Things like losing your job or experiencing a physical disability are some of the negative changes people have to adapt to immediately. But other positive changes in your life could happen as well, like the birth of a child. Being stuck in how you’ve always done things in life will limit your ability to adapt and be happy with the new changes. Instead of resisting them, practice embracing them slowly until you get to the point where you realize the changes aren’t as bad as you initially thought.

Remove Yourself From Dangerous Situations

When you focus on adapting to situations and the environment around you, you’ll be able to identify scenarios in which you need to act appropriately and think clearly. A good example is if you’re driving down the highway and your car stalls and breaks down. If you’re thinking clearly, you’ll pull over to the side of the road and safely call for assistance. But if you don’t have the skills to adapt to this situation, then you could be put in a dangerous spot with traffic still moving around you. The ability to recognize this and react appropriately could save your life and the lives of others.

Adaptability Allows You To Control Your Emotions

It’s easy to get emotional when things don’t go your way or how you expected them to. But when you practice adaptability, your mind will immediately go into the mode of finding solutions to adapt to the situation. It’s human nature to be negative about change without thinking rationally about what happened. Most of the time, when you’re able to control your emotions and think positively when things don’t go your way, you’ll come up with a reasonable solution and can move on with life much easier.
Being able to adapt to situations around you is important for many reasons.

One of the hardest things to adapt to is experiencing a sudden physical disability. While it can feel devastating at first, when you have the right mindset, you can be stronger and persevere and come up with solutions to help. Next Day Access can help you when these situations arise by offering mobility aids to keep life as normal as possible. Be sure to Nous contacter at any time and we would be happy to help you adapt to your physical disability. Like or Share if you enjoy reading our blog.

Couples young and old often wonder what the secrets are to having a long and happy marriage. You hear stories all the time about people being married 40 or 50 years or longer and can’t help but wonder what they’ve done to stay happily married for so long. Chances are they’ve had plenty of bumps and obstacles along the way, but have stuck with a few simple principles to get them through the days, weeks, months, and years. Here are some of the secrets to a successful marriage and happiness for years to come.

Focus On The Little Things In Life

The secret to a happy marriage isn’t a clear-cut answer. Most of the time, people who have been married for many years will say to not stress over the little things and enjoy life as much as possible. Don’t stop going out for ice cream together just because you are older and don’t think it’s what you should be doing. Whatever it is that you enjoyed when you were younger should still be enjoyed today. It’s the little things that bring joy to your life that should be cherished and shared with your spouse.

Give Each Other Respect

Respecting one another is easier said than done at times, and it requires a conscious effort from both sides to create mutual respect. Everything from sharing household chores to understanding their feelings and beyond all fall under the umbrella of respect. It’s natural to develop chemistry over time and start thinking and acting similarly to one another, but at the same time, it’s easy to lose sight of the personality differences each of you may have. Focus on respecting actions, opinions, ways of doing things, and anything else your spouse does and you’ll both be happily married.

Don’t Lose Sight Of Family Values

When challenges or obstacles arise, it’s easy to lose sight of family values. However, it’s those family values that keep families close together. Whether it’s just you and your spouse or if kids are involved, everyone understanding the foundation your family is built on is critical for happiness in the household. If there are situations where frustrations boil over, take a step back and revisit your family values and decide whether the recent actions fall in line with them.

Always Communicate With One Another

A big secret to a happy marriage involves clear and transparent communication. Not communicating clearly leads to many arguments and disagreements, which are easily avoidable most of the time. Don’t go to sleep mad at one another and have reasonable conversations with your spouse any time you’re upset with them. Understand their feelings and the process they have to go through to alleviate certain negative feelings they might be having. When you communicate effectively with your spouse, you’ll feel like you’re on the same page in many aspects of life and feel happily married all the time.

Next Day Access loves helping elderly couples improve their quality of life and ensure they live happily in their home. If there’s anything we can do to help you with your mobility limitations, Nous contacter at any time. Like or Share if you enjoy reading our blog.

Financial planning is a big aspect of everyone’s life, especially as they get older. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how well you’ve planned, a physical disability can force you to alter your goals and change plans significantly. The problem with this is you can’t predict whether you’ll experience a cognitive disability or a physical disability in most cases, so you don’t know what to expect. Plans are meant to change in many ways, so being flexible and preparing for the worst is ideal. Here are some medical and financial planning tips to consider.

Consider End-Of-Life Financial Planning

As you get older, end-of-life planning becomes more critical. You don’t want to put yourself in a situation where you can’t afford the disability services and care you need to live a quality life. And you also don’t want to burden your family to have to support you financially. Many people think end-of-life planning is stressful or depressing to think about, but it’s actually easier than it sounds. Most of the time it just requires saving a little extra money now so you can live a more comfortable life later. 

Find Cost-Effective Solutions To Help With Your Disability

If you have a physical disability that limits your ability to move freely, you may consider staying at an assisted living facility. But when you consider the cost of staying there, it hardly makes sense if you’re capable of living at home with other cost-effective solutions. You could hire caregivers who provide disability services to care for you in your home. You could also invest in mobility products to help you navigate your home safely. Things like a stair lift, lift chair, grab bars, wheelchair ramp, and other items are much more cost-effective than living in a nursing home or assisted living facility. And you can enjoy a higher quality of life aging in place at the same time.

Work With A Financial Advisor You Trust

Working with a financial advisor at some point can benefit your long-term finances. They can help you with different strategies to ensure you have the money you need at different points of your life. Whether it’s withdrawing money from retirement accounts early without penalties or creating an account specifically for medical expenses, everyone has unique financial needs. A financial advisor is obligated to work with your specific needs and provide the recommendations that produce the most ideal outcomes for you. When you find one you trust, work with them closely and ask questions periodically to ensure your financial goals are staying on track.

Next Day Access understands the cost of getting older and living with a physical disability can be excessive. We offer flexible financing to help you find the products you need without hurting your budget at the same time. Planning for the future can be challenging because of the uncertainty aspect, but as long as you’re flexible and can adapt to changing situations, you should be just fine. If there’s anything we can do to help you as you strive for independent living, Nous contacter at any time. Like or Share if you enjoy reading our blog.

**We are not financial advisors. The content on this website is for educational purposes only and merely cite our own personal opinions. In order to make the best financial decision that suits your own needs, you must conduct your own research and seek the advice of a licensed financial advisor if necessary. Know that all investments involve some form of risk and there is no guarantee that you will be successful in making, saving, or investing money; nor is there any guarantee that you won’t experience any loss when investing. Always remember to make smart decisions and do your own research!

Businesses should always take into consideration the needs of others as they conduct business. This starts with the layout of their building from the time a person enters the building and accesses different rooms throughout the building. The problem is many companies don’t follow accessibility standards as closely as they should. As a result, they could have to pay fines or face a negative reputation if they are unwilling to be accommodating. On the other side, companies who prioritize accessibility standards will be more appreciated by customers and can also benefit from some tax incentives. We’ve taken a look at three tax incentives for businesses that employ and accommodate people with disabilities.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit revolves around who you hire. When you hire a person with disabilities, ex-felons, or veterans, you qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. The tax credit is significant and can more than $9,000 per qualified employee, so companies need to consider this if they have any employees that fall into those categories.

Disabled Access Credit

The Disabled Access Credit is geared toward providing a tax credit to businesses that accommodate people and workers who have disabilities. However, there are specific requirements that must be met to qualify for the Disabled Access Credit. It’s a non-refundable credit that is eligible for companies with 30 employees or fewer, experiences $1 million or less in gross receipts of annual turnover, and promotes disability employment within their organization. The credit is designed to reward businesses by helping them pay for improvements to be more accommodating for people with disabilities.

Architectural Barrier Removal Tax Deduction

The Architectural Barrier Removal Tax deduction is a simple one to qualify for and can lead to significant tax savings for companies. When transportation and architectural barriers are removed in and around your business, you could qualify for a tax deduction of $15,000 every year. For some businesses, this simply means removing stairs in favor of installing a wheelchair ramp. Others may have to make different modifications to make their space wheelchair accessible. Having a professional evaluate the space can help ensure you make the necessary changes to meet accessibility standards and qualify for this significant tax deduction.

Next Day Access wants to help businesses make their spaces more accessible and profitable at the same time. Creating a safe environment for people with all abilities is important today, and you could face a negative reputation if you choose not to be accommodating. Business owners often think the cost of meeting accessibility standards is too high, but when you consider the tax advantages you could get in return, the renovations could pay for themselves over time. It all starts with a consultation to evaluate your space and determine what improvements could be made. We are happy to help at any time, so Nous contacter today to schedule a consultation. Like or Share if you enjoy reading our blog.

So you’re looking for an accessibility solution, but you’re not entirely sure where to start? That’s where we, at Next Day Access, come in! Let us help you discover what questions need to be asked and how to find the answers with these examples below.

• While you many may think a ramp is a pretty straightforward selection there are many factors to consider and what the intended purpose of the ramp may be.
• If you’re just looking to even out an entry, exit or doorway, we encourage you to look at a threshold ramp. Offered in aluminum, rubber or plastic, this solution makes for an easier accessibility point for those in wheelchairs.
• We also offer an extra-wide threshold that spans 42-inches and comes with handrails to offer increased stability as one moves through the threshold.

• If you’re working around a porch with steps, your best bet will be to use a wheelchair ramp. These ramps come in a variety of materials and can be specifically configured to meet your needs and the specifications of your home.

  What kind of material do I need to use?

  1. Like we mentioned above, our wheelchair ramps come in a variety of materials. So what should you consider when it comes to the material used for the ramp?
     1. Weather – If you live an area that experiences a lot of snow and ice, our open-weave ramp may be a more practical solution to your needs. If you live in a high-humidity environment, aluminum may be better to use versus our wood-aluminum ramps which could eventually effect traction when it becomes wet. Assess your climate and we can help you find the right ramp for whatever weather you face!
     2. Maintenance – Nothing will escape maintenance but some ramps require a little less or can be done more efficiently. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, extended use ramp we can help you find the perfect one. If you’re needing a temporary solution and anticipate it requiring little to no maintenance, we can also assist you in the discovery process.

How long does my ramp need to be?

According to ADA guidelines, mobility ramps need to be one foot long for every one inch lift. So if you have a ramp that’s lifted 6 inches, the corresponding ramp length will need to be six feet. The ramp must also be 36-inches wide in order to be ADA compliant. We can assist you in the measuring and planning process to ensure the ramp is safe, secure and compliant.

If you have any questions concerning your accessibility needs, we’re here to help. Take a look at what brands we carry and the variety of solutions we can offer you. Nous contacter today for more information and to receive a free estimate!

Everyone’s living situation is different. Some people may have to work harder than others to achieve independent living, especially when stairs are involved in the home. Falling is one of the most common reasons why people get injured in the home. A study from 2014 published at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that more than 28% of adults aged 65 and older reported falling at least once in the previous year. This is an astonishing number, especially when you consider how simple it can be to prevent falls sometimes. A stair lift is a common solution. And if you’ve ever wondered if it’s the right time to get a stair lift installed, here are some reasons why others do it.

When Using Stairs Makes You Nervous

Some older adults get so used to being nervous navigating the stairs that it becomes a normal feeling. However, the next time you use the stairs, think about your feelings. If you are focused more on every step and the placement of your foot or are overly cautious about using handrails to stabilize yourself, it may be time to think about installing a stair lift. Imagine how much more peace of mind you’ll have when you can navigate the stairs without lifting a foot, and you can virtually eliminate the risk of falling at the same time. 

If You Have Balance Or Mobility Concerns

People with balance or mobility concerns may avoid stairs completely to prevent falls. This could mean not accessing the second floor of the home, avoiding outdoors if stairs are involved, and not having the quality of life they may want. It’s understandable to be fearful about walking up or down the stairs if you have balance concerns, but it’s not a feeling you have to live with. A stair lift can provide a perfect solution to alleviate your concerns and help you feel more comfortable accessing different areas of your home.

Improve Independence In Your Home

If you get the feeling that your independent living efforts are not being successful due to mobility limitations inside your home, then you can regain some independence with a stair lift. Living the life you want inside your home is completely achievable when you have the right resources. Not being able to walk up or down the stairs safely is an obstacle that can easily be overcome with a stair lift and can boost your confidence significantly.

Next Day Access wants to help seniors improve their quality of life by providing mobility products and devices they need to maintain independent living. Many people think they have to move out of their two-story home as they get older and it gets harder to use the stairs. That can be an expensive decision when a better solution is often simply installing a stair lift. We are here to answer any questions you have, and we are always ready to provide outstanding service, so Nous contacter today to learn more.

Pets provide many benefits to homeowners. They can be especially important for people enjoying senior living, as they can provide companionship throughout every day. One reason why people with mobility concerns are hesitant about owning a pet is because of the responsibility of caring for them. This is a valid concern for certain types of pets, but we’ve put together some thoughts about easy-to-care-for pets to consider for your home.

Dogs

Dogs are some of the most common pets for homeowners for plenty of good reasons. Every dog has its own personality, so finding the right match for your home is possible. Dogs can be trained to help their owner with mobility concerns navigate their home and even outside the home. And if you simply want a companion inside the house, some dogs want nothing more than to cuddle next to you on the couch. Dogs need to be walked periodically to stay healthy, so if you cannot do so because of a physical disability, you may need to arrange for a dog walker.

Cats

Cats require little care and supervision as long as you provide them with a safe environment with food and water. If you keep your cat primarily indoors, you’ll need a box with kitty litter and give them some toys to play with when they get bored. Otherwise, cats love exploring outside and often don’t require a lot of attention. And some even want nothing more than to curl up in your lap or next to you all day long.

Hamsters

Hamsters are entertaining to watch and are low-maintenance pets to have in the home. You’ll need to invest in a safe cage for them to live in, and you may also consider getting a hamster ball to let them navigate around your home. Hamsters are entertaining to watch play in their cages, and some of them can be very active throughout the day. Cleaning the cage regularly is the main thing you will have to do with a hamster, but they are otherwise great pets for senior living.

Parakeets

Parakeets are fun pets since they can be trained and can sing calming tunes to you sometimes. Caring for parakeets requires a little more hands-on effort since you’ll need to clean the cage regularly. But other than that, the beauty of a colorful parakeet singing in your living room or bedroom is a unique and relaxing experience you can enjoy every day.

Next Day Access believes pets are great for senior living. Even though animals can’t talk to you, you can get the sense that they are your friend simply by the way they interact with you and respond to your words. Some pets require more care than others, and if the difference between getting a pet and not getting one is mobility concerns you may have, then we can help alleviate those concerns. Our mobility products are designed to help you enjoy senior living to its fullest extent, so Nous contacter today to schedule a free assessment and see how we can help make your home more accessible.

Adverse weather conditions can be difficult for a person with mobility limitations to navigate. Even having a wheelchair ramp installed at your home may require extra caution when the surface is wet, icy, or slippery in other ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three million people over the age of 65 get treated in the emergency department every year because of a fall, and more than 800,000 of those patients are hospitalized as a result.

Mesh vs. Solid Surface Ramp

Preventing falls should be a priority for anyone striving for independent living. And when it comes to your wheelchair ramp, the type of surface you have makes a difference. This article will help you navigate between choosing a mesh vs. solid surface ramp.

Benefits Of A Solid Surface Wheelchair Ramp

Many homeowners like the look of a solid surface wheelchair ramp. The solid surface offers great stability due to the construction of the materials and is designed to withstand some of the harshest winter weather elements. However, when it comes to accessibility, some precautions need to be taken before walking on them during adverse weather conditions. A solid surface wheelchair ramp will need to be swept off after a snowstorm since the snow doesn’t have anywhere to go. And rain can make the solid surface slippery unless you have non-slip mats to help you keep your stability. 

Why Mesh Wheelchair Ramps Are Ideal In The Winter

A wheelchair ramp with a mesh surface may be more ideal in the winter since rain and snow can go through the open holes. The open mesh design won’t compromise the stability of the ramp and can make maintaining it during the winter much easier. Light snow will go through the mesh holes, while heavy snow may accumulate some depending on how severe the storm is. Still, it will be much easier to sweep off the snow through the mesh design and can provide you with more traction during slippery conditions.

Prepare Your Ramp For Any Weather Condition

Regardless of the wheelchair ramp you choose for your home, preparation for winter weather is critical. Some people choose to improve accessibility by placing non-slip rugs or mats on the ramp to reduce the risk of slipping. It’s also valuable to use calcium chloride salt to help melt the ice on your solid surface ramp. Just be sure to sweep or wash off the salt after the weather event to reduce the risk of slipping afterward. 

People who live in areas with frequent snow during the winter likely know what to do to live as normal of a life as possible. If you need additional accessibility at your home, Next Day Access offers both solid surface and mesh wheelchair ramps to suit your needs. We are available to provide you with tips and advice depending on your living situation and keep you as safe as possible this winter. Feel free to Nous contacter at any time to learn more about our options and how to stay safe with a wheelchair ramp this winter.

Approximately 61 million adults in the United States live with some type of disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is a significant portion of the US population. Unfortunately, a person with disabilities is often treated differently when out in public. Just because a person is in a wheelchair or has a physical disability doesn’t mean they should be treated as less than. Sometimes you may have good intentions, but the presentation of your words or actions could be received differently. Keep these tips in mind the next time you interact with a person with disabilities.

Treat Wheelchair Users Like You Would Other People

An adult in a wheelchair should be treated just like an adult who is not in a wheelchair. A common thing people do when interacting with a person in a wheelchair is patting them on the head or the shoulders while talking to them or when leaving the conversation. Think about how often you would do this to a person who is not in a wheelchair. Chances are you don’t do it at all. This action is received as demeaning to the person in a wheelchair.

Be Genuine When Offering Assistance

Genuinely offering assistance means not assuming what the person in a wheelchair is capable of. For example, if there is an item high on a shelf they are looking at, do not grab it for them without asking. Simply ask if they need help reaching something and wait for their answer. Some people will be grateful for your assistance, and others may have specialized tools to help them reach items. By assuming the person needs help in these situations, you could be demeaning them unintentionally.

Don’t Ask Why They Are In A Wheelchair

It’s not polite or appropriate to ask a stranger why they are in a wheelchair. If they offer the reason on their own, then it’s acceptable to ask other questions since it indicates they are open to talking about it. Otherwise, the reason why they are in a wheelchair may be difficult for them to think about and could stir up some emotions.

Speak Directly To Them And Be Positive

If you’re talking to a wheelchair user who has another person next to them, be sure to make eye contact and speak directly to the wheelchair user. Some people just talk to the person standing next to them and ignore the person with disabilities. While it may be unintentional, it’s disrespectful to the wheelchair user and can make them feel inferior.

Next Day Access wants to help anyone with a physical disability navigate life easier. Treating people with respect regardless of their situation is the right thing to do. If there’s anything we can do to help you improve your mobility or the mobility of a loved one, Nous contacter today.

Anyone who uses a wheelchair or mobility scooter regularly encounters accessibility obstacles daily. Things like curbs in parking lots, soft or uneven ground, narrow doorways, and other similar things don’t seem like a big deal to a person who is not in a wheelchair, but it makes it impossible for a wheelchair user to access different areas. Existing buildings and facilities can improve their accessibility by checking out this ADA Checklist. Simply being aware of what spaces are not wheelchair accessible and working to improve them will go a long way in helping people with disabilities.

Workplace Obstacles

The workplace is a common area where people with disabilities have trouble accessing certain areas. Many times the entrance won’t have a wheelchair ramp, or if it does, it’s barely wide enough to fit a wheelchair on. Tight turns in office spaces are difficult for wheelchair users, and the restrooms are often problematic as well. People with physical disabilities shouldn’t have to struggle with being comfortable at work, so if there are any accessibility limitations you deal with, discuss them with your employer.

Tight And Narrow Restrooms

Public restrooms are often very tight and narrow, making it nearly impossible for a wheelchair user to quickly and effortlessly get in and out. Public restrooms are required to have wheelchair accessible stalls with grab bars. The sink and toilet heights also have to be adjusted to accommodate people in wheelchairs. If these components are not in place, it can make things very difficult for a person in a wheelchair to use the restroom.

Poorly-Designed Or Non-Existent Wheelchair Ramps

If a business doesn’t have a wheelchair ramp outside its establishment, there is no way for a wheelchair user to access it. Some businesses have a wheelchair ramp, but it may not have been built professionally, so it appears unsturdy, not wide enough, too steep, or dangerous in other ways. Every wheelchair ramp has specifications that must be met to be ADA compliant. Otherwise, if the ramp itself is dangerous, then it’s not doing any good for a person with disabilities.

Grocery Store Obstacles

Some grocery stores are more wheelchair accessible than others. The good ones will have wide aisles, parking spaces close to the entrance, and allow people to use mobility scooters with a basket attached. However, some obstacles are difficult to avoid, like having certain items high on shelves. This obstacle can be combated by having employees readily available to assist when needed.

Next Day Access strives to make every space wheelchair accessible, so people with disabilities don’t have to struggle with accessibility. Sometimes all it takes is a simple wheelchair ramp to make life easier for a person in a wheelchair. Other times various modifications in and around the building will need to be made. If you notice any area of a building that may have accessibility concerns and needs attention, Nous contacter at any time, and we would be happy to assess the area and make appropriate recommendations.