These are baths that you can literally walk into. They come in small and regular sizes and they have a cantilevering (hinged) door for access into and out of the bath. Naturally the door has strong water tight seals and a mechanism that prevents accidental opening when the bath is full of water. The doors are easy and lightweight to operate.
Most of these mobility baths have a seat within the bath and in many cases this seat can be lowered, or lifted, electrically so that the person taking the bath can gently ease themselves in to the bath in a controlled way.
This also prevents them from having to sit in any empty bath whilst it is being filled and it allows them to raise themselves out of the bath and dry the upper part of their body whilst the bath empties.
Control of the bath seat is by an easy to use remote control.
Naturally, it is easier to leave the bath from an elevated seated position and this is the beauty of these useful bathroom variants on the standard bath.
Other variants of mobility baths see a “door-less” side wall, but with a seat that not only raises to an elevated position, but one that also swings or rotates to the side of the bath allowing entry and exit whilst the bath is full.
This type of bath requires the bather to be able to lift their legs up at knee level over the rim of the bath (with or without assistance). This type of bath has various degrees of rotation from about 65 degrees to a full 90 degrees. These baths also make the transition from a bath to a wheel chair a comparatively easy operation.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
Mobility Walkers
Mobility walkers, or wheel walkers, can be invaluable to the elderly or anyone who is unsteady on their feet and they can also double up as carrying trolleys for small amounts of shopping.
Most mobility walkers have four wheels, with the two front wheels being directional, i.e. steer-able by the pusher. The wheels should be rubber and are often in pairs, i.e 8 wheels ( 4 pairs) for a 4 wheeler.
The walker should have a braking system (press down spring loaded) that will usually be operated by a downward pressure on the handles. This not only makes the brake system easy to operate, but it acts as a failsafe (if the person using it falls or slips), by fixing the walker as a barrier in front of them. It also prevents accidental run-away and holds the walker in position if it is used as a seat.
A mobility walker should have height adjustable handles, which usually point towards the person holding them, and their construction is usually tubular. This maximises design strength, but with the lowest “weight to size” ratio possible. This makes these mobility walkers easy to push and manoeuvre, even for those with limited strength. (It is a downward pressure on the handles that activates the brake action.)
Other important features to look out for on these mobility walkers are seats, which again should be adjustable and which, on some models, may have backrests.
Many mobility walkers will fold down to minimise storage space and special areas/containers/fittings etc allow for the holding of walking sticks or elbow crutches and of course a shopping bag. This is normally located under the seat.
For an example of a mobility walker you can go to this page: http://www.ableliving.com/productdetails.cfm?ProductID=0085uni.
Most mobility walkers have four wheels, with the two front wheels being directional, i.e. steer-able by the pusher. The wheels should be rubber and are often in pairs, i.e 8 wheels ( 4 pairs) for a 4 wheeler.
The walker should have a braking system (press down spring loaded) that will usually be operated by a downward pressure on the handles. This not only makes the brake system easy to operate, but it acts as a failsafe (if the person using it falls or slips), by fixing the walker as a barrier in front of them. It also prevents accidental run-away and holds the walker in position if it is used as a seat.
A mobility walker should have height adjustable handles, which usually point towards the person holding them, and their construction is usually tubular. This maximises design strength, but with the lowest “weight to size” ratio possible. This makes these mobility walkers easy to push and manoeuvre, even for those with limited strength. (It is a downward pressure on the handles that activates the brake action.)
Other important features to look out for on these mobility walkers are seats, which again should be adjustable and which, on some models, may have backrests.
Many mobility walkers will fold down to minimise storage space and special areas/containers/fittings etc allow for the holding of walking sticks or elbow crutches and of course a shopping bag. This is normally located under the seat.
For an example of a mobility walker you can go to this page: http://www.ableliving.com/productdetails.cfm?ProductID=0085uni.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Post-2: Kind of topics covered
Continuing my methodical approach to most things in life, I am now going to set out the scope of products and services that I intend to write about and discuss in this blog.
As previously stated, anything that has a health or mobility application, benefit, or advantage will be included, as will devices that solve a health problems or that get around mobility obstacles.
This means that the obvious examples of mobility equipment will be covered and these will include: stair lifts, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
I.e. Items that enable mobility (getting around) in the most obvious way.
But I will also look more widely at mobility issues and ways around them and this will take in products and equipment like: lift and tilt chairs, massage chairs, adjustable beds, orthopedic beds, easy access mobility walk-in baths, and easy access showers.
I.e. Items that assist mobility for a specific purpose, function or activity.
I will also look at some of the more recent innovations in solving problems caused by some form of physical limitation or restriction and this will extend to electronic hearing aids and devices designed to eliminate or remove pain, e.g. magnetic pain therapy.
I.e. Products that may indirectly help health or mobility by removing a non physical obstacle that restricts or prevents normal activity.
In addition to these “products”, I will be looking at alternative therapy treatments
that will include the almost “medically” legitimate practices of acupuncture, chiropractic and the like, to some of the more obscure, or less proven techniques, which will include hypnotherapy and aromatherapy.
I.e. Treatments and off the shelf medications that “may” play a role in helping health or mobility.
These are fairly broad categories, but anything that does not naturally fall into one, but which does have some value, will be included and this will run to items like support braces, support cushions and even “old wife’s” tails if there appears to be some validity in them.
I.e. Giving me carte blanch to include anything else that I want to write about.
Whether or not I will look at something like hay fever – and how to remedy it, I have yet to decide, but I will mention illnesses like shingles where I can offer suggestions based (unfortunately) upon first hand experience.
As previously stated, anything that has a health or mobility application, benefit, or advantage will be included, as will devices that solve a health problems or that get around mobility obstacles.
This means that the obvious examples of mobility equipment will be covered and these will include: stair lifts, wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
I.e. Items that enable mobility (getting around) in the most obvious way.
But I will also look more widely at mobility issues and ways around them and this will take in products and equipment like: lift and tilt chairs, massage chairs, adjustable beds, orthopedic beds, easy access mobility walk-in baths, and easy access showers.
I.e. Items that assist mobility for a specific purpose, function or activity.
I will also look at some of the more recent innovations in solving problems caused by some form of physical limitation or restriction and this will extend to electronic hearing aids and devices designed to eliminate or remove pain, e.g. magnetic pain therapy.
I.e. Products that may indirectly help health or mobility by removing a non physical obstacle that restricts or prevents normal activity.
In addition to these “products”, I will be looking at alternative therapy treatments
that will include the almost “medically” legitimate practices of acupuncture, chiropractic and the like, to some of the more obscure, or less proven techniques, which will include hypnotherapy and aromatherapy.
I.e. Treatments and off the shelf medications that “may” play a role in helping health or mobility.
These are fairly broad categories, but anything that does not naturally fall into one, but which does have some value, will be included and this will run to items like support braces, support cushions and even “old wife’s” tails if there appears to be some validity in them.
I.e. Giving me carte blanch to include anything else that I want to write about.
Whether or not I will look at something like hay fever – and how to remedy it, I have yet to decide, but I will mention illnesses like shingles where I can offer suggestions based (unfortunately) upon first hand experience.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Post-1: What I intend to do
I am going to use this blog to post information (and sources of further information) about anything that I think may be life enhancing. This could be a routine, a product, a way of doing something, or anything else.
In essence, anything that is an aid to staying healthy, staying mobile and staying active. Obviously each of these criteria will be relative to every individual, but I hope that, over time, I will make this blog useful to all.
How the blog will work
Some posts will be general and relate to all, i.e. those who are able bodied and those who have a physical limitation of some kind, whilst others will be more concerned with overcoming a particular restriction or problem.
e.g. This could include the right way to pick up and carry a heavy weight, the best kind of bed design to provide a good night’s sleep, or a product or device that enables the achievement of an activity that many take for granted, but that may be problematic for some.
This will see post of varying lengths and detail, some looking at overcoming mobility problems that affect those of advancing age, those who have suffered an injury, or those with a physical limitation of some kind.
I intend to try and cover everything from the virtues of orthopaedic products like beds, chairs and supports, to walk-in baths and mobility scooters. But I will also look at more general health and outdoor living equipment ranging from home saunas to garden fire pits.
In short I will try to vary what I write about and, whilst some posts will relate to specifics, others will be more general.
Throughout the blog I will express my own views and opinions, but these will not be based on any kind of medical qualification or professional ability to review. They will however take account of the various problems that I have (and have had in the past) and which range from severe back problems to broken limbs, and dislocated joints. They will also take account of the fact that (whilst not yet of advancing years myself), I do have elderly relatives and friends with numerous physical issues.
Frequency of posts
I will make at least 2 posts per week and ideally 3, and all posts will be original material (i.e. not copied form elsewhere) unless stated otherwise.
Blogwise, this will be my fourth and all 4 cover different topics, but with interests that are common to me.
In essence, anything that is an aid to staying healthy, staying mobile and staying active. Obviously each of these criteria will be relative to every individual, but I hope that, over time, I will make this blog useful to all.
How the blog will work
Some posts will be general and relate to all, i.e. those who are able bodied and those who have a physical limitation of some kind, whilst others will be more concerned with overcoming a particular restriction or problem.
e.g. This could include the right way to pick up and carry a heavy weight, the best kind of bed design to provide a good night’s sleep, or a product or device that enables the achievement of an activity that many take for granted, but that may be problematic for some.
This will see post of varying lengths and detail, some looking at overcoming mobility problems that affect those of advancing age, those who have suffered an injury, or those with a physical limitation of some kind.
I intend to try and cover everything from the virtues of orthopaedic products like beds, chairs and supports, to walk-in baths and mobility scooters. But I will also look at more general health and outdoor living equipment ranging from home saunas to garden fire pits.
In short I will try to vary what I write about and, whilst some posts will relate to specifics, others will be more general.
Throughout the blog I will express my own views and opinions, but these will not be based on any kind of medical qualification or professional ability to review. They will however take account of the various problems that I have (and have had in the past) and which range from severe back problems to broken limbs, and dislocated joints. They will also take account of the fact that (whilst not yet of advancing years myself), I do have elderly relatives and friends with numerous physical issues.
Frequency of posts
I will make at least 2 posts per week and ideally 3, and all posts will be original material (i.e. not copied form elsewhere) unless stated otherwise.
Blogwise, this will be my fourth and all 4 cover different topics, but with interests that are common to me.
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