After reading the title of this blog post, you may be thinking "what marathon is Lifeway preparing for? Aren't all large gatherings cancelled?". While we're not preparing to run an actual 26.2 mile marathon, we do believe we're prepared to navigate through this COVID-19 crisis period, which we as a team are relating to a marathon.
Getting in and out of the home when there is a staircase preventing safe access is a type of need that has been especially critical at this time. Many are trying to bring loved ones home from a hospital, nursing home, or senior living facility to safeguard their health.
During this unprecedented time, our home is the safest place to be. For people over the age of 65 or those at higher risk for COVID-19, it is crucial to stay at home to reduce the risk of being exposed to the virus. However, just like everyone else, they still need food, prescriptions and other essential products to remain healthy.
During these unprecedented times, the safest place where everyone can be is the comfort of their own home. As a result, some have been trying to bring a parent or loved one home from a senior or assisted living facility temporarily to prevent potential exposure to COVID-19.
After a long winter, the weather is finally warming up – and there’s no place most of us would rather be than outdoors. Whether you define it as the chirping of birds or the smell of wildflowers, spring is definitely in the air. It’s a beautiful season – and we think it should be accessible to everyone.
Lifeway Mobility is committed to the health and safety of its clients and team members and the services we provide. These two guiding principles have informed our recent decision to modify our work protocols.
If you just had your stair lift installed, but still have a couple of questions in regards to service or maintenance on the lift, you've come to the right place. This post lists a number of commonly asked questions that we receive from stair lift customers after installation.
It probably feels like it was just yesterday you were running up and down stairs at your home. You may have even skipped a step on occasion to reach your destination a few seconds early.
You have decided you need a stair lift. Maybe you are caving to the nagging from well-intentioned and worried family members. Maybe you have read the shocking statistics. Like, one-fourth of Americans over the age of 65 fall each year, and the older you get, the more likely these falls can be fatal.
In a study on parents of children with a disability, it was found that 55% of the parents were not sure their disabled child would always have a place to stay. Further, 62% stated their adult child with disabilities had strong independent living skills and abilities to to care of themselves.
Burnsville, MN - Lifeway Mobility is pleased to announce that it has invested in Disabilities, Inc., doing business as Twin City Stairlifts/Ability Solutions, Burnsville, MN, which has been “Helping People Stay Where They Live” by providing accessibility solutions for individuals with limited mobility for almost 20 years.
It is our purpose to help people simplify their lives with accessibility solutions. Many times, individuals who need us don’t know where to start and yet, they are about to be processed for hospital discharge or leave a physical rehab center. Whether patients are calling for guidance themselves or a family member is reaching out, here are seven helpful tips one should address before hospital discharge.
For people who are aging in place or need help with mobility or medical issues at home, in-home care from a qualified provider can enable them to live at home more safely and independently. Professional caregivers can provide different types and levels of care on either a short-term or long-term basis, including: Companionship and conversation Transportation to appointments or errands Assistance with safely managing tasks around the house Help with daily activities such as dressing and bathing Nursing and medical care But how do you know what type of care you need, and what type of caregiver can provide it? Here are the types of in-home caregivers you might experience, from the lowest level of care to the highest.
Have you ever had the experience of being bullied, left out or pushed out? The disappointment, shock and sense of betrayal can be extremely painful. For some, the confrontation may leave emotional scars for years! Whether you have been the victim of “the mean girls club” or worse, making a come back and trying to access your right to be included may have been difficult at best. Some people with disabilities deal with this on a regular basis! Over 1 billion people have a disability in the world today. More than 100 million are children. Unfortunately, these kids are victims of violence four times more often than children who are not disabled. The adults with disabilities tend to be victims of violence 1.5 times more often than other adults. Disabled Individuals Are the World’s Largest Minority When blockades prevent the inclusion of every member of society, we all suffer. Some of these barriers exist in the heart and mind, while others are physical obstructions. When these obstacles are gone, those with disabilities are allowed to engage fully in life which brings benefits to everyone. Accessibility is not an option but is critical to the health and well-being of our communities. While public buildings should be following codes of inclusion, accessibility and mobility solutions truly start at home. The very concept of universal design is to make living spaces safe and accommodating for all. The options are endless! Right To Be Included If an individual can’t navigate steps into their home safely, adding handrails can be a great solution. If a little more assistance is needed, the installation of a ramp, threshold, or stair lift can make a world of difference! The safety features in a bathroom for example, can entail the simple installation of grab bars or a tub cut. The tub cut is done in a day using the existing bathtub bringing that hard to manage 14-inch step into the tub, down to a 4-inch step. For those that need more simplified access, perhaps a barrier free shower or complete bathroom remodel is in order. Bedroom safety may include doorways that need to be widened or beautiful handrails added along the walls. For some individuals, an over-head lift may be the best idea yet. Some need an extra boost to go from bed to chair to shower or beyond. Maybe they wish to travel through-out their whole house using the over-head lift tracking system built into their ceiling complete with remote access! Seek The Best Solutions Home elevators are not as extravagant as once thought! Many are seeking solutions like this for all the ages and stages of family members and are surprised at the affordability. Having a consultant come to the home to assess the structure and provide a quote is free of charge. The key of course, is to work with a company that has at least 10 years of experience and one that specializes in universal design. When families go with Lifeway Mobility, they get to experience experts who create designs specific to the needs of that family. We provide options without barriers. No cookie cutter approach here – it’s all about producing life changing results. Isn’t that what it’s all about? We believe everyone has the right to be included. We are doing the unimaginable – breaking barriers and changing lives.
Studies show that 90% of older adults say they wish to stay in their homes as they age. If you are one of them, it’s time to make a plan for aging gracefully in place!
In a society where many enter and exit their homes through their garages into their vehicles, years could pass before one ever meets their neighbor! In the name of convenience, we avoid conversations with the family next door because we’re too busy or just not sure we want to engage at all. What has happened to us? Have we forgotten how to connect with one another? Does it take an emergency situation like a fire, flood or earthquake for us to snap out of our bubble and take a look at who is living next door?
We have all heard the phrase “A Man’s Home is His Castle” but what about when that home no longer serves the needs of the inhabitants? Many families today are starting to think about the design of their home in light of what the future could bring. The very thought of having to leave their home can be devastating, so why not explore options? While we do our best to stay young and vibrant, getting older is inevitable. Home modifications could be the very remedy for a senior who wishes to live independently and feel safe. Residential retrofits can provide some very positive repercussions. Installing home elevators may be the answer to being able to live comfortably without sacrificing the aesthetics.
Bruno Independent Living Aids has redesigned their most popular straight stair lift, the Bruno Elan. The stylish Bruno Elan SRE-3050 has several new features that will improve upon its predecessor’s unique blend of affordability and high-quality craftsmanship and performance.
Stair lifts, chair lifts, stair lift elevator, stair chair lifts, etc. There are lots of names people have given that mighty innovation that carries us from one floor of our home to the next.
We can easily forget that we didn’t always have the technology and gadgets we use today. I am reminded of how far we have come when my kids ask me how old I was when I had my first cell phone. I search the recesses of my mind and blurt out 30, I think? The shock on their faces says it all – they have had access to cell phones their entire lives! If they happen across a landline, they laugh at how absurd it looks and wonder why anyone would want to be attached to a cord and a wall!
If the stairs start to become too difficult to manage at home, there are usually two options that people can consider to solve the problem. The first option is to remain at home (with modifications), and the other is to move to a senior living or assisted living facility. Both are feasible options, but many prefer to remain in their home because it prevents the stress of having to move again, and makes it possible to remain in the place that has so many positive emotional ties. A home is a place of comfort as it is where most people build lasting memories with family and friends, whether it be from holidays parties, or social gatherings with friends.
If you have limited mobility, cooking meals from scratch at home can be too tiring, difficult, or even dangerous, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have delicious, nutritious meals at home. Dozens of food delivery services are available to take away the burden of shopping for ingredients, choosing a menu, and even food prep, from grocery delivery services that let you shop from home and do all your own cooking to a chef that comes to your home, cooks, and cleans up.
When you are in a wheelchair or have limited mobility, travel can be a challenge. Everything from getting to your airport gate and into your seat to finding hotel rooms and tourist destinations with ADA accessibility can add an extra layer of concern to your travel plans. The good news is, you’re not alone. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 25.5 million Americans have disabilities or mobility issues that affect their ability to travel and 21.9 million still get out of the house for vacations. Here is some helpful information for those who have mobility issues and plan to travel.
Awhile back I was curious about stair lifts, stair chair lifts, and your basic accessibility solutions on the market. With the increased interest of aging in place, I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. So I conducted a little experiment.
Lifeway Mobility announced today that it has acquired the assets of Home Mobility Solutions, Inc. (HMS), Downers Grove, IL, through its subsidiary, Extended Home Living Services, Inc (EHLS), Arlington Heights, IL. Founded by Mike Cleary, HMS has served greater Chicagoland and northwest Indiana, offering accessibility solutions including stairlifts, wheelchair lifts, modular ramps, bathroom modifications and elevators, for over 12 years.
