Choosing Summer Activities

Posted on July 5, 2018April 26, 2023 by maonw

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.

Why make your home more accessible?

Posted on May 31, 2018July 18, 2018 by maonw

Living 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.

What is a patient lift?

Posted on May 17, 2018July 18, 2018 by maonw

man with disability being transferred in a patient lift

A 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

Posted on May 10, 2018July 18, 2018 by maonw

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.

Look 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?

Posted on May 3, 2018July 10, 2019 by maonw

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