Mobility Friends Together

April 25, 2008

The Endres AKKULIFT Bath Lift

Filed under: bath lift — mobilityfriends @ 6:33 am and tagged , ,

bathakk.JPGGetting into and out of the bath lift can be very hard if you are mobility challenged. This is true of people who suffer from arthritis, muscular diseases, and people who have just had surgery. There is nothing quite as relaxing as taking a bath, and taking a shower can be very dangerous if you are mobility challenged. A bath lift can make it much easier to get into and out of the bath tub, and promotes safety in the home.

One bath lift that is very well known is the Endres AKKULIFT. The AKKULIFT is a German engineered bath lift that is very easy to install and use. It has a floating remote that is very simple. It comes in two pieces and requires very little assembly or installation. The AKKULIFT can support up to 300 pounds and has a padded backrest for added comfort. In addition it folds when not in use to take up less space.

This bath lift is designed to be very safe as well, and has all of its electronics in a specially sealed plastic hood. When this unit is combined with the available headrest and special swivel easy transfer seat its functionality is greatly increased. It is truly worth checking out if you or a loved one has trouble getting into and out of the bath tub.

April 18, 2008

What is a Travel Scooter?

Filed under: travel scooters — mobilityfriends @ 6:15 am and

travel.jpgA mobility scooter is a personal vehicle that is intended to help those who are mobility challenged move freely and without strain on their muscles. If you have ever shopped for a mobility scooter, you may seem overwhelmed at the number of different models and designs available today. There are many different types and models, but there is no need to be overwhelmed, because they are all designed to fulfill specific needs. Once you analyze your needs, it much easier to evaluate the different options and find one that will fit your particular situation.

One type of mobility scooter is the travel scooter. Travel scooters are designed for those that would like to be able to easily transport their mobility scooter. They typically break into several pieces that can fit into a trunk, back seat of a car, or can easily be transported on an airplane. The travel scooter is designed with weight in mind, and when the mobility scooter is disassembled, the heaviest piece usually weighs around 30 pounds. This makes it very easy to move and ensures that you will not need a special vehicle wheelchair lift installed to transport your mobility scooter. Depending on your specific physical condition, many people find it possible to transport a travel scooter with little or no outside assistance.

Travel scooters usually utilize a 3-wheeled configuration. A 3-wheeled scooter has increased maneuverability, because it greatly reduces the scooters turn radius. This also serves to reduce the weight of the mobility scooter. This increased maneuverability comes at a cost however, because they generally do not have as high of a weight capacity as 4-wheeled scooters. 4-wheeled scooters also have better stability because they spread the weight out more evenly between the front and back. A typical travel scooter has a weight capacity of around 250 pounds. Not all travel scooters utilize the 3-wheel configuration, so it is possible to get the advantages of a 4-wheeled scooter and a travel scooter. 4-wheeled travel scooters will have a slightly higher weight, size, and a larger turning radius though, making it impractical for certain applications.

Depending on the model, travel scooters usually have a range of around 12 miles and an average speed of about 4.2 miles per hour. This range can often be increased by upgrading the batteries, but this can also add weight to the scooter. Since this range is lower than a traditional full sized mobility scooter, it is important to plan your route with attention to the state of your charge. Modern travel scooters are very reliable and well built. Many people purchase travel scooters because of their ability to be easily dismantled and moved, but use them mostly around the house and neighborhood.

For many a travel scooter is the right choice because it can easily be transported without requiring a separate vehicle mounted lift, offers an adequate weight capacity, has good maneuverability, and does not take up that much space. A travel scooter is often less expensive than a full sized mobility scooter, which can make it a very attractive purchase for many individuals.

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April 11, 2008

The Zero-Gravity Lift Chair

Filed under: liftchairs — mobilityfriends @ 6:39 am and tagged , , ,

Almost everyone spends a little time in their recliner everyday. For those that watch TV or read that time may be considerably longer. If you suffer from mobility related problems such as muscular diseases, arthritis, or if you are just a little older then it may be very hard to stand up from a sitting position. Lift chairs, often doctor recommended, are one way to solve this problem. Lift chairs are essentially recliners, but with a few significant differences. Lift chairs make it much easier to stand and sit in a controlled manner because the base of these chairs lifts and lowers. In addition to the motorized lifting base, the back rest and foot rest are motorized as well.

zero.jpgGolden Technologies, a manufacturer of home medical equipment, produces several quality lines of lift chairs. The Golden MaxiComfort is one such line that goes above and beyond the normal expectations of a lift chair. The MaxiComfort series uses zero-gravity positioning to provide the best and most ergonomic sitting position available. The zero-gravity sitting position, developed and heavily researched by NASA, is one of the best ways to relieve back and neck pain. In the zero-gravity reclining position, the legs are raised above the heart. This in turn puts your back and spine into the correct resting position.

One of the most important parts of the zero-gravity reclining position is that your spine is put into the correct neutral position, but there are many other advantages as well. The zero-gravity position relieves stress on the lower back and reduces or eliminates disc compression. It also helps improve lung capacity and circulation due to the way the torso is positioned relative to the legs. The neutral back position maintains the natural curves of the spine and reduces strain on the ligaments and muscles. These features are incredibly important if you suffer from back problems, but also if you want to keep your body healthy.

The Golden MaxiComfort incorporates the patented zero-gravity technology flawlessly and comes in 4 sizes. The remote control is incredibly easy to use. It has two buttons which can be used to control the chair as a whole unit. If you desire individual control there are 4 buttons that control the back rest and foot rest independently By having this choice, the chair is the perfect choice for both those who have trouble seeing or can not use a complicated remote, as well as those who want to be able to customize their sitting position to find the most comfortable and relaxing position. This is what is referred to as an infinite position lift chair, which means that virtually any safe combination of leg and back positions can be achieved.

Using the zero-gravity reclining position has been proven to reduce back strain and is the best way to ensure proper circulation. In addition, because it reduces the pressure on the lungs and increases lung capacity, it is great for people with breathing problems. It also is an incredibly attractive and well made chair, so it is the perfect addition to any living room.

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April 4, 2008

Troubleshooting Your Mobility Scooter

Filed under: Mobility Scooter — mobilityfriends @ 10:10 am and tagged ,

mobility-scooter.jpgMobility scooters help many millions of Americans each year who have trouble walking due to age, arthritis, or muscular diseases. Many grocery and retail stores offer mobility scooters for their customers to use, making it easy to get around and eliminating the need of bringing your with you to the store. As with almost anything mechanical there may come a time that your electric mobility scooter will require some troubleshooting. Make sure you consult the user manual for your mobility scooter, but there are several common things that are easy to check and many times will easily solve the problem you are having.

One of the most dreaded things that can happen, especially after you have seen the full benefit derived from your mobility scooter, is when it just won’t start because it appears to be dead. The first thing you should do in these instances is to remove the key and then reinsert the key. If that still does not fix your problem then you should ensure that you have fully charged the battery. If you used it heavily for several days without charging it, it is possible that the unit has no charge. If this does not resolve the problem, then you should reset the breaker switch. Most scooters have a main breaker circuit, which is similar, in concept anyway, to the black breakers commonly found homes. Find the breaker and either turn it off and on again or push the reset button, depending on the model of mobility scooter you have. The next step in the trouble shooting process is to check all of the connections of the battery, and to follow the wires from the battery and check that the wiring harness connections are all tight. If this still does not fix your problem then you will probably want to take the device to a certified service repair center.

If when using your mobility scooter, the battery gauge indicates a full or adequate charge, but the throttle control does not do anything then your mobility scooter may be in free wheel mode. Most electric mobility scooters have something similar to neutral in a car called free wheel mode. When a mobility scooter is in free wheel mode, the brakes and transmission is disengaged which makes it easy to push or pull the mobility scooter. Many times the free wheel mode switch is located in the back of the mobility scooter, so if you are pushing the throttle control and nothing is happening than ensure that it is not in free wheel mode.

If your mobility scooter’s main circuit breaker is constantly tripping, or if the battery gauge dips down low and the motor surges or hesitates when the throttle is pushed it could be a sign of an electrical problem. First though ensure that the mobility scooter is fully charged and in the case of a tripping main circuit breaker it may just be a case of infrequent charging, so try to get on a regular charging schedule. If charging the scooter does not fix the problem then it is probably a good idea to take it to a certified service repair center. There are several tests that can be ran on the electrical systems with a battery load tester and voltmeters, both available from most auto parts stores, but these exceed the scope of this document.

If your mobility scooter stops working don’t panic. Consult the user manual that came with your mobility scooter and follow these simple troubleshooting steps. If that still doesn’t resolve your problem it may be necessary to contact a certified service repair center and have a certified technician take a look your mobility scooter.

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