Category: Uncategorized

People with mobility concerns often struggle with raised entryways and landings, even if it’s just a couple of inches. When you’re planning to invite guests to your home for a holiday event, taking a close evaluation of these entryways and landings can make a huge difference for some of your guests. These could include steps to enter your home, sunken dining rooms or living rooms, raised thresholds to enter the bathroom or other rooms, and more. The goal should be to create smooth surfaces throughout your home, especially if you have a guest in a wheelchair. Placing a threshold ramp in certain areas of the home can make a significant difference and create a safe environment for your guests with mobility concerns.

Eliminate Common Trip Hazards With A Threshold Ramp

It doesn’t take much of an elevation change to create a trip hazard for people who don’t have a lot of balance or stability. And for people in a wheelchair or mobility scooter, a raised surface as little as one-inch can be an obstruction. Another common trip hazard during the holidays is extension cords that power your holiday decorations. You may have them taped down along the walls and across entryways, but a person with mobility concerns can easily trip on them if they don’t see them or misjudge how high they need to pick up their feet. A threshold ramp is a simple solution to eliminate these types of hazards.

Evaluate Other Areas Of Concern In Your Home

Think about where your guests will need to go inside your home. If you have a two-story home, then evaluate whether there’s any reason why your guests will need to access the second story. Assuming you have everything you need for them downstairs, then ensure common areas like the kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and other rooms are easily accessible for everyone. And remember to assess the outdoor space as well. The entryway to your home may include a step and if you have a back porch or patio, be sure to install a threshold ramp in areas that may be accessed there as well.

Make Entryways And Hallways Wheelchair Accessible

Entryways and hallways can be made wheelchair accessible simply by installing threshold ramps in many situations. You may not necessarily be able to make these spaces wider for wheelchair users, but eliminating any type of raised surface can make a world of difference for them. Consider removing tables and other types of decor you have that could obstruct a person’s ability to walk down hallways easily. Eliminating these possible trip hazards are equally as important as placing a threshold ramp to cover raised surfaces.

Next Day Access can help you eliminate any potential hazards if you have people with mobility concerns visiting your home this holiday season. What many people don’t realize is how simple and portable certain mobility products and aids are. A simple threshold ramp can make a huge difference to a person in a wheelchair or anyone that has trouble walking. Before you host guests this holiday season, contact us to schedule a free home assessment to ensure your home is accessible for everyone.

Hosting a holiday event at your home can be a great honor. However, hosting an event brings a new level of responsibility to ensure every guest is accommodated. Depending on the layout of your home and whether any of your guests may have mobility limitations, you’ll possibly need to consider making your home more wheelchair accessible. The good news is a portable wheelchair ramp is simple and quick to install and can be removed soon after your event has ended. Installing a mobility ramp can make a huge difference in the experience your guests with mobility limitations have, and here’s what you need to know about them.

How Simple Are Portable Ramps To Install?

A portable wheelchair ramp can be installed on your own, in most cases. But if you are unable to do so or are too busy to complete the task, then a professional can come to your home and evaluate the ideal placement. The length of a portable mobility ramp can vary, so you are sure to find one that suits the unique needs of your home. They can hold up to several hundred pounds and are lightweight enough to be moved aside when not being used. Depending on how your home is set up, you can put a portable wheelchair ramp outside leading up to your home’s front door and even indoors if you have sunken rooms inside. 

Assess Your Home To Accommodate Holiday Guests

When you are hosting guests this holiday season, you’ll need to assess your home through a different lens. A small step down or up may not seem like a big deal to you, but even a step of a few inches can be difficult for someone with mobility limitations. Whether you want to make every area of your home wheelchair accessible or just want to eliminate a step, a portable wheelchair ramp may be a great solution. Consider also whether any of your guests use a mobility scooter or wheelchair to ensure the ramp you install is wide enough to accommodate their needs.

Create A Safe Environment For All

When assessing your home, look for any cords you have running along the floor or ground inside and outside the home. Holiday decorations typically require extension cords and some of them are difficult to hide. According to Electrical Safety Foundation International, roughly 4,000 people are injured every year around the holidays due to tripping on extension cords. Even if you have cords running along stairs or steps where they seem to be out of the way, a portable wheelchair ramp can cover them up to ensure they won’t get tripped on.

Next Day Access can help assess your home to ensure you can accommodate every guest you plan to host at your home. Portable wheelchair ramps are some of the most common aids people use for their holiday gatherings, and the good news is you can rent them for a single day or weekend use. If you’re planning a holiday event at your home this year, contact us to schedule a free home assessment, and we would be happy to provide you with advice and suggestions to create an accommodating environment for all.

People with diabetes often have concerns about the holidays. Whether it’s managing diabetes with the meals they eat, the stress the holidays bring, or anything else, it’s no secret the holidays add an extra element to trying to stay as healthy as possible. Preparing yourself ahead of time by putting together a plan can help you maintain healthy habits and get through the holiday season without any issues. And when that happens, you’ll likely have a much more enjoyable experience overall. Follow these tips to help manage your diabetes this holiday season.

Cut Fats In Your Holiday Recipes

If you are preparing holiday meals, consider substituting fats with healthier options. For example, use less oil than what a recipe calls for or substitute a portion of it with unsweetened applesauce. Using olive oil or canola oil are also good substitutes to use whenever possible instead of ingredients like butter. It may require some creativity to cut out common fats used in recipes, but it is possible to do.

Focus On Portion Control During Meals

When managing diabetes, portion control during holiday meals is essential. Consuming too much food can negatively impact blood sugar levels, so keeping your good habits is something to be aware of. Visualize your dinner plate in four different sections. Choose a lean protein to take up one quadrant of your plate, your favorite carbohydrate for another quadrant, and vegetables for the remaining half of your plate. Of course, the size of your plate makes a difference too, so consider that along with the ingredients contained within each dish.

Keep Stress Levels Under Control

Stress is sometimes an inevitable part of the holidays, and it’s important to keep those levels under control when managing diabetes. Whether it’s mental or physical stress, blood sugar levels can be impacted if you don’t work to manage it. Practice deep breathing exercises, yoga, or other forms of meditation before potentially stressful events. And when all else fails, remove yourself from any situation that may cause you to be stressed.

Exercise Before And After Meals

The good habits you have put in place all year don’t have to be thrown out the window during the holidays. You may have to get creative with your exercise routine, but most of the time, you should be able to find 15 minutes before and after holiday meals to get some physical activity in. Doing so could help curb your appetite and help avoid overeating if that’s one of the concerns you have. 

Next Day Access is here to help seniors and people with disabilities enjoy the holiday season. We offer various mobility aids and devices designed to help people be safe, whether they are in their home or visiting another home. Managing your diabetes is critical during the holidays, and it’s possible to do with some effort and planning. If there’s anything we can do to assist you this holiday season, contact us at any time.

Holiday meals with family and friends are things most people look forward to every year. The hardest part is sticking with the healthy habits you’ve created the entire year. Some people believe they have to avoid foods high in sodium and other unhealthy ingredients, while others eat anything they want and understand that their healthy habits will go to waste. By cooking with the right ingredients and eating the appropriate foods, you can find yourself somewhere in the middle. You can enjoy a great meal or two and still feel healthy in the process. Here are some valuable tips to help you enjoy a great low sodium holiday meal.

Avoid Packaged Or Pre-Prepared Foods

It may be easiest to buy some packaged or pre-prepared foods to serve at your holiday meal. However, whether you’re worried about an aging parent’s health or just want to serve the healthiest meal possible, it’s ideal to avoid these. Things like canned cranberry sauce, pre-packaged pecan pies, sweet potatoes, and other common holiday meal items contain a significant amount of sodium. Making these items from scratch is always ideal since you can control what ingredients you put in.

Choose The Freshest Meat Possible

Holiday ham is one of the most popular items served at meals, but it’s loaded with sodium. Chicken and turkey may also have a high sodium content since those items are often injected with different ingredients for flavoring and to make it appear larger. If you’re providing senior care for a loved one with health concerns, it’s worth speaking to a butcher or read on the labels to find out which meats have the least amount of sodium added and opt for those.

Opt For Unsalted Soup Stock Or Broth

Cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and other similar soups or broths are common ingredients in holiday meals. They give certain food items a great flavor, but they are also loaded with sodium. Low-sodium products may seem like the answer, but they are often substituted with potassium chloride, which may not be ideal for an aging parent either. A few brands are available that make unsalted broths and soups that don’t contain any potassium chloride. Use these products whenever possible, to have healthy and filling meal options.

Choose Cheese And Butter Wisely

Cheese and butter are also common holiday meal ingredients but aren’t very good for maintaining healthy habits. However, you don’t have to avoid these tasty ingredients altogether. Opt for using unsalted butter whenever possible, and choose cheese naturally low in sodium. Good cheese options can include ricotta, swiss, goat, natural cheddar, and brie. While these are lower-sodium options for cheese, they still include it, so limiting the quantity is important to keep in mind as well.

Ensuring your aging parent can enjoy a holiday meal and remain healthy is important. If you need any more tips or tricks to help you care for a loved one this holiday season, contact Next Day Access at any time.

The year 2020 was a rough one for many people for numerous reasons. As the page has turned to the new year, you have the opportunity to have a different outlook and a better perspective on what 2021 will be. You may not be able to control certain circumstances, but you can control your attitude, relationships, and healthy habits. With all the negativity in the news across the world, one thing many of us can do is work on ourselves both physically and mentally. Here are a few suggestions that can help you make 2021 the greatest year yet.

Communicate With Friends And Family More

Whether you’re safely visiting friends in person or communicating with them over the phone or other digital platforms, create a good habit of reaching out to them more. The busy lives we all have often means not talking to the people who mean the most to us in life as much as we’d like. It’s healthy for your mind and body to keep in touch with loved ones frequently. Part of successful independent senior living is finding a purpose in life. When you look forward to talking to a friend or relative every day, you’ll have something to be excited about and can fulfill your purpose every day.

Incorporate Healthy Habits For A Better Lifestyle

Many people make a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier. Seniors should adopt this good habit as well. Seniors with any type of condition or disease need to pay attention to what they eat and incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and the right portions of dairy and meat. Sometimes it’s easier to stick with healthy habits if you plan meals in advance. You may have to do a lot of cooking up front, but then you can portion out various meals throughout the week to prevent overeating. Combining a great diet with sufficient exercise can help make 2021 your healthiest year no matter your age.

Enjoy The Good Moments In Your Life

The simplest New Year’s resolution anyone can have is to take a step back and enjoy all the good moments in your life. There are plenty of negative things to watch on television, but take a moment to look closely at your immediate situation. If you have a home, a loving family, food in the pantry, great friends, and good health, you have plenty to be thankful for. We often hear that we should be living life to the fullest, but many people don’t know exactly what that means. In some regards, living life to the fullest simply means enjoying the good moments in your life every time they are present.

At Next Day Access, we want to help seniors have a great 2021 and beyond. We offer mobility products and devices to help keep you moving in and around your home. If you could use some assistance in your home with mobility, contact us at any time, and we would be happy to provide you with a free home assessment to see how we can help.

Making a New Year’s resolution is a tradition for many people at the beginning of every year. If you’ve struggled with keeping yours in past years, come into 2021 with a positive attitude and put together a plan to ensure you remain accountable for achieving your goals. The aging population may find it particularly important to incorporate healthy habits as a New Year’s resolution so they can maintain good overall health. Here are some of the other top New Year’s resolutions seniors commonly choose.

Be More Active

Increasing your physical activity can benefit you in many ways. Even mild exercises can be accomplished if you have a condition that prevents you from making more strenuous moves. The more active you are, the better your overall health will likely be. And if you have a condition like heart disease or arthritis, increasing your activity levels could improve them. Start slow with your exercise routine, but be consistent and do at least a little bit every day.

Eat A Healthier Diet

Seniors striving for independent living need to incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables into their diet. Five servings daily are sufficient, and you can be creative by mixing foods like spinach, carrots, cantaloupe, oranges, and more. You also want to add some healthy nuts and whole grains to your diet. If you like to cook your meals, consider using olive oil instead of butter as a healthier alternative. Small steps to improve your eating habits can go a long way in improving your long-term health.

Be More Proactive With Your Health

As you’re incorporating more healthy habits into your lifestyle, be proactive with seeing your medical professional regularly as well. You want to make sure you’re getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need to stay strong and healthy. Your medical professional can also identify any potential concerns before they become problematic. Being proactive with your health can increase your chances of successful independent living in many ways.

Take Steps To Improve Independent Living

If you’re working hard every day to live independently, then take any steps necessary to improve your situation. This could mean finally investing in a stair lift or a lift chair that you’ve been talking about for a while. Or maybe it’s simply installing grab bars in your bathroom to improve your stability. These things often get pushed to the backburner, but they should be a priority. This year, make sure those things get done as soon as possible so you can feel safer and reduce the risk of injuring yourself at home.

At Next Day Access, we want to help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions revolving around mobility. Seniors striving for independent living may need to make some adjustments around the home to create a safer environment, and we are here to help. Whether your New Year’s resolution is to finally invest in a mobility device or to make some home modifications, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time and see how we can help.

Experiencing a sudden injury that leads to a temporary disability can be a lifestyle change that’s hard to deal with at first. According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, mobility is the most common type of disability and impacts roughly one out of every seven people in the United States. The good news is if your mobility limitation is temporary, then you can make some adjustments to help you navigate life as easy as possible while you recover. Here are some great options to consider.

Rent A Stair Lift

If you have a two-story home or have outdoor stairs, consider renting a stair lift. Many people adjust their living situation by moving their bedding, dressers, and other items they use daily downstairs so they won’t have to worry about using the stairs. Dealing with your temporary disability shouldn’t mean you have to limit your life, especially in your home. When you have a stair lift, you will maintain full access to your home. And when you’ve fully recovered from your injury, you can call the professional to remove it just as easily as they installed it.

Install A Temporary Wheelchair Ramp

Depending on the severity of your temporary disability, a wheelchair ramp could be a safe and effective option for you. A temporary wheelchair ramp can be easily installed, so you don’t have to worry about possibly tripping on the stairs as you enter your home. When you have an expert install the ramp, they will ensure it is just as safe and stable as a permanent wheelchair ramp, but it can be removed at any time. You don’t want to experience a setback in your recovery, so the safer you can make your home, the better.

Rent A Mobility Device For Temporary Use

A mobility device like a lift chair, wheelchair, scooter, or another device can keep you comfortable and mobile even with a temporary disability. These devices can be expensive when purchased, but renting them is a viable option when you know you’ll just need them for a short time. Going to the grocery store or running other errands will be easier with the right mobility device. Explore your options and the features each one has so you can find the right option for you.

Next Day Access can help you find exactly what you need to accommodate your temporary disability. The last thing you want to do is alter your life even more than it already is due to your injury. A stair lift provides you with full access to your home, a wheelchair ramp keeps you safe while entering the home, and a mobility device provides the ultimate convenience in and outside of the home. And what’s most convenient is these items can be rented and returned, so you don’t have to make a long-term investment in them. If you’ve experienced an injury that has led to a temporary disability, contact us today to see how we can help.

Mobility products can make life significantly easier for people with disabilities or mobility limitations. In some situations, the biggest question is whether it makes the most sense to buy them or rent them. If you have a permanent disability, then buying a mobility scooter or a stair lift is likely more cost-effective. But if you will recover from your disability or if you’re accommodating someone with a mobility limitation, then renting is ideal. We’ve taken a close look at different situations to help you determine whether buying or renting mobility products makes the most sense.

Situations Where Renting Mobility Products Makes Sense

If you are renting the home you’re in now, then renting a stair lift or a wheelchair ramp is probably the better choice instead of buying. Similarly, if you know the disability you have is temporary and you just need a mobility device to help you get around for a few weeks, then renting makes the most sense. What you’re looking for is the duration in which you’ll need any given mobility product. Even if you don’t have a disability, but have a loved one who does, renting one when they visit you is ideal since you may just need it for a few days.

Buy Mobility Products In These Situations

Older people who strive for independent living in their homes often opt to purchase mobility products. A wheelchair ramp, mobility scooter, and a stair lift may be essential items for their day-to-day life, so owning them is likely more cost-effective than renting. Also, if you’re a caregiver and take care of a loved one in your home, then buying specific mobility products is usually the way to go. If you don’t plan on moving from your current space for a few years, then buying a mobility product could pay for itself during that time compared to renting.

Evaluate Your Short-Term And Long-Term Needs

The main consideration you have to make when debating whether to buy or rent a mobility product is your current and future needs. A mobility scooter can be a great investment for people who need them daily and for several years. Otherwise, if you just need it for a 4-8 week period as you’re recovering from an injury, then renting is likely going to be cheaper. Depending on the product, you may have to do some calculations to determine how many years you would have to own it before it pays for itself compared to renting. 

Our experts at Next Day Access are here to help you make the right decisions for your situation. We’ve helped people in many different circumstances find the most ideal solution for their daily needs, as well as their financial situation. It all starts with providing you with a free home assessment and learning more about your desires. Feel free to contact us at any time to schedule yours and have your questions answered.

A wheelchair isn’t made to last forever, and depending on how often you use it, some may not last as long as others. The good news is with proper wheelchair maintenance, you can anticipate when it might be time to repair or replace yours.

Your wheelchair may be your biggest key to successful independent living, so keeping it in great working shape is critical. Repairing your wheelchair is sometimes the most cost-effective option, but here are some situations in which it makes more sense to replace it entirely.

Wheelchair Replacement Parts And Components

Minor replacements to parts and components may not put a big dent in your wallet, but they can accumulate over time. The tires are often the biggest expenses wheelchair owners have to think about.

If the rest of the wheelchair is in great shape, but the tire grips are worn, then you have to decide whether replacing just the tires or the entire wheelchair is worth it. Chances are the cost of a new wheelchair will be higher, but you won’t have to incur any expenses for a few years after that.

Replacement Parts May Cost As Much As A New Wheelchair

If your mobility device has multiple items that need to be repaired, then it likely makes the most sense to replace the entire unit. Wheelchairs, in general, have a limited lifespan, so just because you repair everything doesn’t mean it will operate like brand new.

When you get your regular maintenance checkup on your wheelchair, ask the technician whether any parts need to be repaired now or what could need repairs in the future. At that point, you can decide the right time to replace it.

The Wheelchair Has Reached The End Of Its Lifespan

A wheelchair generally has about four good years of life in it, depending on how often it’s ridden and what terrain it’s mostly used on. Normal wear and tear will happen during that time, but once the first signs of repairs are present, you’ll need to closely examine the potential repair costs.

You will most likely just get another year or two out of the wheelchair before it needs to be replaced anyway, so it likely makes more sense to just replace it rather than getting any repairs completed.

You Need Upgraded Features

You may come to a point where your current wheelchair isn’t as comfortable as you thought it would be or it doesn’t have the features you need. Many people simply deal with the inconveniences as long as they can, but then when it comes time for a repair, they see it as an opportunity to get a better one with upgraded features instead. If the upgraded features improve the quality of your independent living, then it’s usually well worth the investment.

Next Day Access wants to ensure wheelchair users find the most appropriate mobility device for their needs. Our technicians can provide maintenance on your wheelchair and estimate the remaining lifespan of it and make recommendations accordingly. Don’t hesitate to contact us at any time if you need advice about your wheelchair.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says that the vast majority of businesses should make reasonable accommodations for a person with disabilities. Small businesses or businesses that don’t offer public services are usually exempt from this requirement, though. Regardless of whether the ADA requires you to have a wheelchair ramp or if you just want to be compliant anyway, it’s easier than you may think to install one. Here’s what you need to know about accessibility standards and why adding a wheelchair ramp to your commercial space is beneficial to everyone.

Be Accommodating For People With Disabilities

A person with disabilities can get nervous when they have to climb stairs to enter a commercial building. A simple wheelchair ramp is all it takes to make them feel more comfortable and secure. Without a wheelchair ramp, your business may seem uninviting to them, and they could even think they aren’t welcome there. This likely isn’t true, but this is the perception of not having a wheelchair ramp outside your establishment.

Minimize The Risk Of An Injury Occurring On Your Property

When you eliminate stairs in favor of a wheelchair ramp, you’ll be minimizing the risk of a potential injury occurring on your property. Even people without a physical disability can easily slip and fall on slippery stairs, which could lead to legal action against your business. You don’t necessarily have to remove all stairs in and around your building, but at least having a wheelchair ramp to the entrance shows you care about the safety of your customers and employees.

You’ll Be ADA-Compliant

Being ADA-compliant is critical to avoid costly fines or potential lawsuits. A wheelchair ramp must be present, and it also must adhere to specific accessibility standards outlined in the ADA. Everything from the slope to the width and even the landing area must be specific. This is why it makes sense to have a professional install your wheelchair ramp so you can have peace of mind knowing it’s installed properly.

Everyone Can Enjoy A Wheelchair Ramp

Some people simply don’t like going up or down stairs and prefer to use a ramp instead, even if they don’t have a physical disability. By having a wheelchair ramp outside your business, you’ll be more welcoming to everyone. People without mobility limitations can enjoy it if they have their hands full and may not be able to see the step below them clearly. Reduce the risk of having someone injure themselves on your property and have a professional install a wheelchair ramp.

Next Day Access is here to help businesses meet the accessibility standards put in place for them. Some businesses need a complete overhaul to meet these standards, but most of them just require minor adjustments or additions. Our experts can evaluate your property and make recommendations to help you become ADA-compliant and make your space as convenient as possible for your guests, customers, and employees. Be sure to contact us to schedule an appointment and be on the right path to providing accessibility around your establishment.