Vertical Platform Lifts

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Gain easy access to raised entries, decks, or different levels in your home with a Bruno residential vertical platform lift (VPL). Bruno wheelchair lifts are available up to 14 feet and provide a cost-effective access solution to your home. Enjoy a smooth quiet ride, easy operation, and maintenance-free reliability. Bruno vertical platform lifts, also called porch lifts, can be installed indoors or outdoors, are code compliant and offer American-built quality.

Features of a Bruno vertical platform lift:

  • Automatic self-lowering folding ramp
  • Non-skid platform, ramp surfaces
  • Weather-resistant unit coating and controls
  • Continuous pressure rocker switch control
  • Emergency stop switch on platform
  • Safety sensors in platform bottom stop unit if obstruction sensed
  • Quiet, smooth ride
  • Affordable AC power in 4- and 6-ft units
  • Reliable DC battery power available in all travel heights ensure operation even during a power outage (standard in 10-ft and above)
  • Bruno stairlift Gold Warranty: two year major components; one year parts

Having problems accessing raised areas? Decks, raised entryways, and multi leveled homes can all be difficult for those in wheelchairs or scooters. Ramps work well, but sometimes they are not the right fit for the space depending on what your needs are and the amount of room you have to work with.

This is where vertical platform lifts (VPL) can be a huge help. They can take up less space than a ramp and be extremely helpful in helping you gain easy access to higher levels you would not be able to with a ramp alone. They can be easier to use than a stair lift for transporting scooters and wheelchairs.

At Mobility Access Options NW, we like to install Bruno vertical platform lifts or porch lifts. They can be installed indoor or outdoors and are durable and reliable. All surfaces of the platform are non-skid and have safety sensors on the bottom that will safely stop the unit if there is something detected underneath, as well as an emergency stop switch for the user. There is even battery power available in case of a power outage. Contact us today for additional information.

Making Your Home More Wheelchair & Scooter Accessible

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Elderly woman sitting in Pride Mobility Jazzy Select Power Wheelchair

Do you want to be more mobile in your home? There are a few quick things that you can do to make your house more friendly and fit your needs. Mobility Access Options NW is here to help you be comfortable in your home.

Clean Up

It seems simple, but having your home free of clutter can help you navigate around with more safety. It will help keep obstacles out of your way and give you more space and range of motion. It will also help if you have a home with an open floor plan. This will give you more room to move in and is especially helpful if you use a wheelchair or scooter.

Accommodations

There are easy things you can install yourself to make your home more friendly to those with lack of mobility. Putting rails and bars for someone to hold on to in the bathroom is a good example of this. You can also make sure there is designated space for vans and portable ramps.

Repositioning

If you or someone in your home uses a wheelchair, simply lowering certain parts of the house to make them easier to reach. You can have light switches, appliances, thermostats, and other controls lowered or placed in range of the person using the wheelchair. The opposite applies to sinks. If you have a sink with cabinets underneath, you may want to remove those to allow room for a wheelchair to fit under it.

There are many things you can do on your own to make a home more welcoming to people with limited mobility. For the things you can’t do yourself, let us know. Mobility Access Options NW can help you using our years of experience and trained staff.

Choosing Summer Activities

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Ready for some fun in the sun? Don’t let disabilities hinder you. Here are some tips for summer activities from us.

Assess Yourself

What is the activity you are trying to do and what are your limitations? Know your body and what activities could be problematic and harmful. Is it a hike with steep inclines and a lot of elevation gain? How long can you walk without needing to take a break? This also applies to wheelchairs or scooters.

Do Your Research

What kind of accommodations are there at the location? This is especially important at events such as festivals or concerts where you might be severely limited if there aren’t proper standards in place for wheelchairs and your experience might be less than ideal. Make sure the event fits your needs. For example, if you know you probably will not be able to walk around and stand all day, plan times and spots to rest. If you have a wheelchair, pick routes around venues with the least resistance, or pick seating at concerts where your view won’t be blocked by people standing.

Check Reviews of Locations

You can find reviews or trip reports very easily on the Internet. These can be helpful in getting a more personal and realistic account of the location or event you are thinking about going to. If you are really worried, it can help to call someone in charge and ask specific questions. Following along these lines, you yourself should leave a review to help people in your position in the future know what to expect.

A lack of mobility does not have to mean a lack of fun. Just plan ahead and do it! If you need mobility access in your home or want some more helpful advice from experts, get a hold of us here at Mobility Access Options NW! We are happy to assist you in any way we can.

Choosing the Best Ramp for Your Needs

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You want a ramp to add convenience to your life, and this means helping you with mobility as well as not needing maintenance. Taking a look at your home and where you want to place the ramp can help you make sure you get the most out of it. Here are some things you need to assess before buying and installing your ramp.

Angle

The ADA recommended slope for public access & walking is a 1:12 ratio or 4.8 degrees. There are some cases where a steeper slope is okay for residential use. Make sure your ratio is comfortable and you don’t have too steep of a slope for walking or for your wheelchair. Your ramp should be about three feet wide.

Length

Look at your space and see how much real estate you have to work with. The length of your ramp will be related to the angle of your ramp. If you have a limited amount of space, you will have a steeper angle to your ramp. For this reason, you should decide what you want your angle to be before you look at length. Once you have your angle, look at the height of the top of where you want your ramp to be. From there, some math will help you. For a standard ADA Recommended 1:12 slope ratio, for every inch of rise, you will need one foot of ramp. So if you want the top of your ramp a foot above the ground, this would be 12 inches and require 12 feet of ramp. This can be altered up to a 1:6 ratio if there is a problem with space and you are comfortable with that angle.

Material

What do you want your ramp to be made out of? The two main options are wood and metal. Traditionally, ramps were made from wood. It has become more convenient and cost effective to install an aluminum ramp. Aluminum ramps also hold up better in the weather we see in the Pacific Northwest, where wood requires a lot of maintenance. Weather and environment are huge factors in choosing your materials, so take that into heavy consideration when looking at ramps.

If you are looking for a ramp to help improve your mobility, look to Mobility Access Options NW. We are experienced experts in mobility and will be happy to help you with finding your perfect solution to accessibility.

Why make your home more accessible?

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woman in wheelchair exiting Bruno vertical platform lift on the porchLiving with a disability can make regular daily tasks more difficult. Most homes and buildings are not built with accessibility in mind. This makes it a challenge to get around and live your life. Thinking about a renovation for your home can be overwhelming and seem like a lot of work. There are actually a lot of options for making your home more accessible while keeping it safe and doing it right.

According to the last national census, about 56.7 million people in the United States are living with a disability. It’s important to make sure that the home environment for those with disabilities provides the support they need to lead safe and happy lives. Many people need some modification of their home to make sure that they can get around comfortably.

Creating a safe, accessible environment for those who are aging or who have mobility challenges often means structural changes in the living environment. Well thought-out and professionally planned home additions have several benefits.

Benefits of modifications:

  • Add resale value to your home
  • Simplify activities of daily living
  • Create safer surroundings
  • Maintain a normal routine for individuals
  • Keep loved ones in familiar setting
  • Delay expense of residential care or related facilities
  • Increase independence and quality of life
  • Decrease the potential of falling

By seeking professional advice now to evaluate your unique needs, you can prevent costly modifications later. Doing it right the first time may be more of an initial investment but in the long run it will be worth it to have everything you need in order to live comfortable.

Whether you’re in an older home that needs significant changes or are looking for ways to make your newer home more accessible to your needs, we are here to help. At Mobility Access Options, we have a team of experts ready to make your home comfortable and accessible for you. After all, a home is only really a home if it brings comfort to all who live there.

Stairlifts: What You Need to Know

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Senior woman is climbing stairs with home caregiver

Are you or a family member having trouble getting up and down the stairs at home? It may be time to consider an alternative option. Stairlifts will make it much easier and safer to navigate the stairs without having to move to a more accessible home.

A stairlift, also known as a chair lift or stairway lift, is starting to become the most common solution for those who are no longer able to safely navigate the stairs. Most people prefer to stay at home because of the comfort and security it provides them.

Installing a stairlift takes away the stress that comes with living in a two story home with family members that are unable to climb the stairs. Here are some of the other benefits:

Safety

Safety is often the most common reason why people have a stairlift installed in their home. Aging or living with a disability makes it difficult to navigate stairs. The installation of a stairlift will instantly provide a safe way to access all levels of a home. Some may think that walking up and down the stairs is a good way to exercise, but that is not true for people who have limited mobility. One missed step while climbing up or down a staircase can result in a serious injury.

Independence

Everyone enjoys being independent, especially at home. When the stairs are no longer manageable for people, their independence is taken from them. Bedrooms are often moved to the first level and the basement is no longer accessible.  However, with the addition of a stairlift, independence can often be restored and folks don’t have to feel like they are a burden to their family.

Convenience

In addition to increased safety, a stairlift also provides convenience and comfort. You don’t have to stress about climbing the stairs. A chair lift will give you a safe, relaxing, and smooth ride to the upper level of your home. If something is forgotten upstairs, you won’t have to worry about how you’re going to find enough strength to climb back up the stairs. These lifts are most commonly used by people who need to safely get between the levels of their home; however, stairlifts can also be used to move laundry baskets up and down the stairs or boxes that are hard to carry.

If you are considering getting a stairlift in your home, give us a call to schedule your free consultation. We can evaluate your needs and answer your questions. Installation time is quick and non-disruptive. At Mobility Access Options NW, we will help you make the decision to make your life easier with the help of a stairlift.

What is a patient lift?

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man with disability being transferred in a patient lift

man with disability being transferred in a patient liftA patient lift is a device that helps a caregiver transfer a patient with limited mobility from the bed to a chair and back. Patient lifts are operated either manually or automatically. A manual lift is operated by hydraulic-manual pumping. An automatic lift is operated by an electric motor. All of our patient lifts are designed to be operated by a caregiver or family member at home.

At Mobility Access Options NW, we offer different types of lifts:

  • Floor Models
  • Freestanding Units
  • Ceiling Mounted Units
  • Travel Units

The type of lift you need will depend on the size and layout of the room. It will also depend on what your needs are. We understand that one solution cannot accommodate everyone’s unique situation.  To supplement this demand, we offer a full range of lifts and other home care safety products. The products are designed to provide you or a loved one with independence. Let us provide you with the right lift that will fit your unique needs and care environment.

We just put a lift system in a home for a woman whose taking care of her husband. It got to the point where she couldn’t lift him anymore. Having an automatic patient lift installed in her home has really helped make both of their lives much easier.

With patient lifts, private insurance will sometimes pay for these lifts and so will the Veterans Health Administration. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Choosing a Company in the Mobility Industry

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mobility access options nw is experience in the mobility industry

You need to make your home more accessible. Now what? Find a company to make the modifications. When you are looking for a great company in the mobility industry there are a couple things to consider.

mobility access options nw is experience in the mobility industryLook for a company that has been around for a while. Mobility Access Options NW has over 30 years of experience in the mobility industry. We have a good idea of what customers need in their home.

Look for a company that has a good reputation. A company’s reputation speaks volumes to their knowledge. And shows how well they take care of their customers. We have many positive reviews from companies and customers.

We pride ourselves on the quality of work that we provide to you. Sometimes you may need carpet removed or an electrical outlet for specific modifications. If an installation requires any kind of renovation we can help set you up with a professional contractor. When it comes to the installation of your products we only use products and companies that we believe in and trust. We’ve done our research and know that the products we choose are going to last.

We work directly with our manufacturers. Our technicians are trained to install their products professionally. We do not provide products to customers that can be purchased online to install themselves. Having a professional team like us ensures that your lifts and ramps are installed properly. When done properly everyone is safe. If you are in the market for a mobility device or accessible modifications for your home, look no further than Mobility Access Options NW.

What is the process for getting a stairlift in your home?

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a bruno stairlift or chair lift demo unit in Salem Oregon

Are you wondering what our process is for getting you the perfect stairlift for your home? Getting a stairlift is easy. First, we will come and do a free evaluation of your home and determine your needs. We have stairlifts for all kinds of uses. Sometimes we will use vertical platform lifts in a home to help an individual who cannot use the stairs because they’re using a wheelchair or scooter. Once it is determined that a lift is needed, we will look at your stairway to make sure there is adequate space for a stairlift or vertical platform lift.

Here are some of the things we consider when evaluating your needs:

  • Are you able to sit/stand?
  • Will the home accept a lift? (are the stairways wide enough, etc.)
  • Can you operate it by yourself?
  • How many lifts do you need?

Do you have an outside stairway? That is not a problem as stairlifts and vertical platform lifts are built to handle outdoor conditions. At Mobility Access Options NW, we carry Bruno lifts which are made in the United States and very reliable. We have a long-standing reputation with the company and while we can repair just about any brand, we prefer to install reliable Bruno products.

People living in their home for decades don’t want to move, but a disability might force them to. Stairlifts can help people who suffer with:

  • Weak knees
  • Back Problems
  • Vertigo
  • Balance Issues
  • Diabetes
  • MS
  • ALS

Contact us to find out more about getting a stairlift and other services we offer.

How to Choose the Best Stairlift

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woman with disability riding stairlift or chair lift up stairsChoosing the best stairlift can help you comfortably live in your home without the challenge of climbing stairs. Below are a few considerations to help you determine the best stairlift for your unique needs and home.

  • How much open space is needed on the steps? Bruno’s vertical rail design allows the stairlift to be installed closer to the wall than any other brand in the industry, leaving plenty of open space on your steps.
  • Are there children or pets in the home?  With Bruno’s unique vertical stairlift rail, the gear rack is tucked neatly inside a covered, sleek rail.
  • Is a smooth, quiet ride essential? Renowned for superior engineering, Bruno stair lifts offer an exceptionally smooth, stable and quiet ride from start to finish.
  • What is the weight of stairlift user? If a user is over the stairlift’s weight limit, it will overburden the engine. That’s why Bruno stairlifts offers 300 lb and 400 lb lift capacities (136 kg to 181 kg).
  • Are power options desired? Bruno indoor stairlifts can be customized with a power swivel seat, power footrest, power folding rail and other convenience-enhancing options.
  • Do you want peace of mind that help is a phone call away? Bruno stairlifts are sold, installed and serviced by authorized dealers in your community.
  • Is a stairlift made in the USA important to you?  A veteran-founded company, Bruno engineers and manufactures its chairlifts in Wisconsin.

With Bruno, you can rest assured you’re getting the best stairlift for nearly any home or situation.

Find out more by contacting us, your Oregon Bruno stairlift dealer.