Products for those with mobility limitations

In the last post I discussed some of the provisions that can be made for different level access using ramps and lifts and how these aids can be temporary or permanent.

This time I am going to give a quick review of some of the different products that can help, assist and enhance the life quality of anyone with reduced mobility.

Firstly, in bathrooms there are a number of aids that can make life easier and they start with bath lifts that can have swivel chairs and be controlled by motor, hydraulics or inflatable seat pads. Toilets can be height adjustable or have a motorised lifting and lowering seat. The can even include self-cleansing systems. Then there are numerous rails, bars, cushions and pads which make the bathroom safer.

Mobility scooters and wheelchairs are a big mobility area that between them have revolutionized those with limited mobility’s ability to get around.

Wheelchairs can be manually or electrically powered and scooters come in a range of designs that have 3, 4 or 5 wheeled versions. They can be for pavement only use, or suitable for roads and highways. These scooter have many optional extras that include features like lights, luxury seats and storage compartments.

Mobility within the home can be eased with a stairlift. For many older people, or those who have trouble getting up stairs, reduced mobility can force a home move. However with a stair lift or a perch lift (the standing up alternative) a two storey property can be easily negotiated with safety and comfort. Modern stairlifts can navigate bends and turns and they do not obstruct the stairs when not in use.

Finally ramps provide access in and out of buildings and vehicles for those using wheeled personal transport. Ramps can be an easier option than a stair for those who are unstable on their feet and they can be fixed or portable for extra flexibility.

Ramps and access for wheelchairs and mobility vehicles

With more and more people using different types of mobility vehicles like scooters, gaining access to buildings and different levels is a critical requirement in most western countries. So much so that regulations and strict controls now govern and specify access requirements to which new developments have to comply.

A large part of disability access relates to ramps and lifts and as a result of this there are many different permanent and temporary solutions available. These solutions range from ramps that are permanent constructions and create threshold access to buildings, to lightweight folding ramps that can be attached to the tailgate of vehicles.

Here are some examples.

Most permanent ramps are constructed of concrete, but the temporary or short term options are far more interesting.

Today many ramps need to be portable and this requires them to be light and either demountable or folding.

This has resulted in a number of clever solutions that see ramps that have a telescopic opening and closing action and even ramps that fold down into an attaché case like carrying box.

Many ramps can cater for different heights and lengths and, whilst some are of an adequate width for a wheelchair, others have two separate tracks that are set up at their point of use.

These ramps are made of many different materials from aluminium to high strength lightweight plastics and all can be set-up or dismantled in a matter of minutes. Many will even fold down to a size that allows them to be carried on trains and buses or easily stored in the boot of a car.

Quick summary

This blog will be an ongoing resource linking to other sites that cover the subjects described in each new post.

So far the areas that have been included cover subjects like wheelchair and mobility scooters in all of their forms (e.g. sports versions, 3, 4 and 5 wheeled versions etc).

Bathroom aids, stairlifts and perch lifts have also been covered and access ramps are on the way.

Numerous aspects of health and some more unusual subjects like breathable clothing have been touched on too.