Vertical Platform Lifts can help people with mobility problems get in and out of their house and from one floor to another. Whether it is a few inches or several feet, stairs present problems for people. When we are considering alternatives to ramps or elevators, people often ask what makes a vertical platform safe. I’d like to highlight two of the safety features, in our video today.
Bruno vertical platforms that we install come with an interlock, which keeps the door or gate closed when the platform isn’t positioned right behind the gate or door. The door can’t be opened which reduces the risk of falling.
A second important feature of a vertical platform lift is the safety panel under the lift. If something rolls under the lift, the pad will touch it as the platform is lowered. The switch under the panel will then stop the lift. This is very important as the person who is riding a lift can’t see what is under the lift.
There are many reasons to consider a vertical platform lift and these are just two of the safety features that will let you use a lift with confidence over the years. Email or call if you would like more information.
I am often in construction zones because I deal with home modifications. When I am doing these modifications, I am asked if the modifications are accessible designs or universal designs – and what’s the difference?
An accessible design is geared towards a person with a specific disability. This is determined by the goals of the homeowner, their abilities, their mobility equipment and transfer style. This allows us to customize the modification to perfectly fit the client’s needs.
On the other hand, a universal design makes the home as usable as possible for as many people as possible, no matter what their abilities.
No matter what you do with home modifications, you are typically blending accessible design and universal design. When you’re ready to make your modifications, we will determine which blend works best for you!
Would you refer us to your friends?
If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who would benefit from
our home accessibility solutions would you reach out to us with their
contact information? We really appreciate your referrals - we'll take
excellent care of them!
I recently met with Jack Pietenpol of Diabetic Outreach to learn more about how shoes play a pivotal role in the quality of life. As a professional who helps with accessibility and safety in the home, I was aware of how shoes affect balance and mobility. I wanted to learn more about what makes a shoe fit well and where people can go for customized shoes. Jack was a terrific help and I know you will a learn a lot from the interview like I did.
People with diabetes and many other medical conditions really need the exercise of walking. Shoe choice and fit may make the difference in how safely a person moves around and how comfortable they are moving which affects the amount of walking or exercising they choose to do. Jack covered some of the features in the therapeutic shoes he fits that contribute to skin health and balance. He also shared some helpful tips:
Don't assume your size never changes over time and from brand to brand. Shoes should always be measured whenever you go to a shoe store and if all possible, have your fitting done late in the afternoon. This is because, no matter how healthy we are, feet tend to swell as the day goes on.
Shoes do not last forever. Shoes may be aesthetically pleasing, but time brings odor, bacteria and worn out support from the abuse. You may not be able to see how the support is worn, but if you wear your shoes seven days a week, Jack states that they will only last about 18 months.
Avoid premature aging. A great tip that jack offers is to have a at least a second pair of shoes that you can switch out to ensure your other shoe is airing out in order to prevent premature breakdown.
The footwear that Jack handles is classified as therapeutic, however anyone can wear them for support, comfort and to accommodate depth issues. When you make an appointment with Jack, you will complete a 15-30 minute evaluation that will determine your goals, your level of ambulation, the footwear you seek and what you expect out of that footwear. From there, Jack will determine what type shoe fits you best.
Custom fitted shoes sound great, but people often wonder how they price in comparison to normal shoes. I was amazed to find they were less than I thought they'd be. They are certainly worth checking into if a person is walking less because of pain or discomfort. As Jack explains, in some cases, Medicare and Medicaid will cover the costs once a year.
If you have any questions for Jack, his phone number is (402) 477-1110. Jack also offers in-home appointments for patients with mobility and transportation issues!
Would you refer us to your friends? If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who would benefit from our home accessibility solutions would you make sure they know about us? We really appreciate your referrals - we'll take excellent care of them!
