Wheelchair Advice – Do you qualify for a free wheelchair

Archive for March, 2009

Is it difficult for you to climb up the stairs? And every time you have to go down you are afraid to fall? Then you have to choices – to move downstairs or to install a home stairlift. Domestic stair lifts has their own advantages and disadvantages – find out if a stairlift will be right for your home.

Moving to the ground floor might be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is not as simple as it sounds. You will have to do major renovations in the house, modifying one of the existing rooms as a bedroom or adding an additional room. Also you will have to create a bathroom. All of this involves an awful lot of work and expenses.

Home stairlifts are not cheap, but comparable to all the costs involved in moving downstairs, they are a more economical solution. Also installing a stairlift is not as much of a hassle as you may think. Companies that sell stairlifts usually take care of all the installation; all you need to do is to measure your stairs. And for an additional fee, most stairlift retailers can do the measurements as well.

Types of home lifts

You can get a suitable stairlift regardless of what type of stairs you have. If you’ve got an ordinary straight staircase, then you are in luck because straight stairlifts are the most common and the least expensive. If you have curved stairs, than you will need a curved stairlift. Stairlifts can be electric or battery powered.

Modern stair lift companies offer a variety of stair elevators, you can get:

- Standard straight lifts

- Curved lifts

- Through-floor lifts (also good for wheelchairs)

- Lifts designed with shafts

Home stairlifts are produced by companies who make other mobility equipment. Most reliable and durable lifts are by Stannah, Acorn, Ameriglide and Bruno.

Selecting a stairlift that is right for your home

There are two main types of elevators – lifts with a sit and wheelchair lifts. Sitting elevators are cheaper, and they are generally a good choice for elderly people. However, if you are disabled and you think that your condition can progress to the point that you will need a wheelchair, it is better to install a Wheelchair lift, like a through-floor elevator, from the start.

Lifts mode of operation is also important. Most machines are operated by the person who is lifted; however some lifts can be operated by another person, such as your nurse. If you think you might need this option, than installing it from the start will save you a lot.

Check if the sit if comfortable for you, most companies let you personalize the sit of your home elevator. It can be adjusted so you are sitting tight, while lifted. Also a variety of sits is available – you can get a standard, removable or folding sit. For your safety a sit belt can be also included.

What direction do you prefer to face while the lift is in operation? Popular models of home elevators usually face sideways. However, if you would rather face forward, you can find models that suit you. Facing forward is a good option for people with stiff knees – it allows you more room.

Used domestic stairlift is an option if you want to save

Home elevators are expensive. Even the simplest model will cost you at least $2000. However, you can find many pre-owned home lifts. It often happens that person’s disability is temporary, and after they recover, there is no need for an elevator anymore. Most companies that sell brand new lifts also assist people in selling their used stairlifts.

A home stairlift can be a great addition to your house, providing safety and comfort for elderly and disabled people. With so many options, you can surely find an elevator that will suit your purpose.

Tatyana Turner
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/home-stairlifts-how-to-select-the-right-domestic-lift-137566.html

Wheelchair vans are freely available in the United States, either for outright purchase or for rental in all cities and towns. Mini and full-size commercial utility vehicles come with converted wheelchair accommodation facilities. These vehicles are fitted with either a ramp or a lift, or both, according to the wishes of the client. They are available in raised roof or lowered floor models. These wheelchair vans are designed to provide safe, reliable, affordable and convenient alternatives for disabled persons and patients for improved mobility.

Wheelchair accessible vans offer several other features for the convenience of persons using wheelchairs. These vans have the capacity for one or two wheelchairs. On specific request, they could be converted to accommodate mobile scooters also. Front and rear air conditioning is optional. They are also equipped with 4-point or 5-point tie downs for the wheelchairs, along with seal belts. Total hand controls, 6-way power seat in driver position, power steering, and outside entry controls are also available as other optional features.

Wheelchair vans come in two models of conversion. They are side entry wheelchair vans and rear entry wheelchair vans. Commercial vans are converted with a ramp or a lift or both for the transportation of disabled persons or patients. Side entry wheelchair vans are suitable for wheelchair persons who wish to drive on their own. Rear entry wheelchair vans are meant for people who can not drive or those who want to avoid driving.

Commercial wheelchair vans are normally Ford Windstar, Ford Freestar, Ford Mercury Monterey and Dodge Grand Caravan, converted to suit persons using wheelchairs. Several dealers also offer Chevrolet, GM, Plymouth, Honda and Toyota vans in wheelchair converted models. Both new and used vans are available for outright purchase or for lease or rent. These commercial wheelchair vans are used for non-emergency medical transportation, airport/city taxi services, community transport, paratransit service, etc.

There are several dealers in all the cities that buy and sell new and used commercial wheelchair vans at affordable prices. Further, several travel operators either rent or lease such commercial wheelchair vans at reasonable rates for the convenience of disabled persons and patients. These vans could also be fitted with extra accessories to suit disabled sports persons for carrying their sports accessories.

The ramps of commercial wheelchair vans are normally spring counter-balanced, bi-fold manual ramp types, with magnetic anti-rattle provisions. Some van dealers also provide electronic or hydraulic operated ramps. However, the manual types are more dependable and easy to maintain.

The foot plates are removable foot plate types or flip-forward hinged foot plate type. The lowered floor or raised roof conversions further facilitate travel convenience for wheelchair persons. The floor is of fiberglass, supported by steel frames, with anti-slip rolling surface incorporated.

Toyota Sienna and Toyota Tundra models are normally converted as Toyota wheelchair vans. Toyota Sienna wheelchair vans are priced in the range of $30,000 to $40,000. Toyota Sienna Wheelchair vans are available with prices ranging from $20,000 to $35,000. These price ranges are applicable to the latest models, models not older than 2-3 years. Older models are priced even cheaper. These Toyota wheelchair vans are converted in such a way that nobody would be able to identify them easily as wheelchair vans.

Eric Comforth
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/wheelchair-vans-how-to-pick-up-the-best-one-118490.html

Wheelchairs have different uses and also different types. Both the elderly and the disabled people seek the help of this equipment. They still need a wheelchair for independence and mobility purposes aside from the assistance they can ask from their caretakers.

For people who have reasonable upper body strength, manual wheelchair is best for them. Older people who have very limited ability to move are not advisable to use a manual wheelchair and better to use the powered and electric wheelchairs.

Manual wheelchairs are typical type of wheelchair that has been used during the earliest years since it is one of the pioneering types that are available in the market before.

Things you should consider before you purchase a manual wheelchair:

Choose the right type of frame.
Having an X brace on the center part of the Wheelchair is a common feature of the manual chair. This enables the frame to be folded sideways. If you are traveling, look for better and lighter frames to make it more convenient for you.

Always prioritize the comfort of the patient.
When buying a manual wheelchair, it should fit the size of the person to use it. If it will not fit the use, it can result to muscle disorders.

Do not miss the hand rim.
A vital part of the wheelchair is the hand rim. Its diameter will greatly determine the propulsion. If you will not take into consideration, it can cause an accident.

Maintenance of the wheels.
You need to look after the wheels of this equipment. Be sure that it will provide for its steadiness. Do a habitual monitoring of its wheels for security purposes.

Always check the balance on the front and back part of the wheelchair.
If it is not properly balanced, it will be harder to pull or push a manual wheelchair. It can bring difficulty either to the user or to the caretaker.

You need to follow some safety measures upon using the manual wheelchair. Do not let you life be at risk and always bear in mind that its purpose is to make things easy for you and give comfort and not put you in danger.

Make sure that its speed will not exceed that of brisk walking. Inform the person seated on the wheelchair about this before you make an attempt to push the wheelchair.

Jed Baguio
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/factors-you-should-know-before-buying-a-manual-wheelchair-96086.html