Though the majority of homeowners over age 55 (67 percent) think that as they age it could be helpful, only 19 percent say they have contemplated investing in smart-home technology for that reason. This is likely because technology is still often seen as a luxury convenience rather than a sensible necessity. In fact, homeowners who haven’t considered smart-home technology to assist them with aging in place say that the most common reasons are: that they either didn’t need or are not interested in such technology (45 percent), that it is too expensive to buy (29 percent) and that it’s too expensive to install (25 percent).
Approximately ⅔ of homeowners age 55 or older report that they feel they are proactive when it comes to making aging-in-place home modifications. Nearly 90% say that they are familiar with aging-in-place renovations, additions, or products.
However, home modification professionals tell a different story. For example, over half of the experts that HomeAdvisor surveyed say that less than 10% of the projects that they are hired for are related to aging-in-place. Only about 20% of home modification professionals said that their clients reach out to them preemptively before they are in immediate need of aging-in-place renovations. Most specialists stated that the majority of homeowners in need of such modifications sought them out re-actively for a number of reasons.
This blog post will be the first of a four-part series posted throughout the month of February. Each one of the following articles that have a title starting with "Misconception" will address one of the most common misconceptions about aging in place, followed by the reality.
2017 was an exciting year for Lifeway Mobility. We experienced unprecedented growth and entered several new markets where we managed to “stay local as we grow,” a concept that includes investing in established accessibility providers that share Lifeway’s vision and understand the needs of the communities they serve.
Changes in balance and mobility can become a problem as we age, and getting in and out of the tub can be especially hazardous. If stepping over the side of the bathtub is a safety concern for you, a tub cut may be the best solution.
Lifeway Mobility is pleased to announce the acquisition of Beyond Barriers Minneapolis, LLC, a Minnesota-based accessibility equipment and home modification provider. Founded in 1992, Beyond Barriers has served Minnesota and western Wisconsin for more than 25 years.
The holiday season is normally the time of year when we gather with family and friends, especially those that we may not see too often.
When we reside in the same living space every day, we tend to get used to how things are, overlooking accidents waiting to happen. Sometimes a small change is all it takes to keep family members safe. If you find problem areas in your loved one's home, consider contacting an experienced home access provider for an accessibility assessment. Many providers will offer them free of charge and will be able to provide the right solution to fit your needs and budget.
Unsure where to start? Lifeway's checklist below is the perfect place to begin as it highlights potential problem areas and fall hazards in the home.
Lifeway Mobility, a Connecticut-based accessibility solutions company, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Sugar Hill Building & Design, a specialized building company focused on designing and constructing home modifications for people with mobility limitations.
You’ve come to the right place to meet your home modification and accessible remodeling needs!
If you’ve been researching home accessibility or products such as stair lifts or ramps, you may have come across the term universal design. While it may sound like some sort of New Age philosophy, it is really the cornerstone of the accessibility movement.
HARTFORD, CT, July 1, 2017 – Lifeway Mobility, a Connecticut-based accessibility solutions company, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Total Access of New England.
According to the National Center for Caregiving, there are an estimated 44 million American adults who provide unpaid caregiving to seniors and adults with disabilities. Of these, 14 million are considered “high-burden” caregivers who provide 21 or more hours of unpaid caregiving per week. Many of these caregivers are untrained and underprepared. The high stress and physical demands of caregiving can have serious consequences on the caregiver’s emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
When you’re getting older or living with a disability, falling is a serious and scary issue. One out of three Americans over 65 fall every year, and almost 10,000 deaths of older Americans each year are related to falls.
Lifeway often does a great deal of work to protect our families from dangers both inside and outside of our homes. However, we sometimes overlook one of the best ways to look out for our family – by examining the invisible risks around our home.
But how can you reduce your risk for dangers you can’t see? A great place to start is by addressing common household issues such as contaminants, media access, and emergency preparedness.
In this third article of our three-part series, we explore ways to protect your family with tips for reducing invisible risks around your home.
An old saying that still rings true to many today is: "Your Home Is Where Your Heart Is". Many people can relate to this saying because your home is where your family was raised, friendships and relationships were built, and lasting memories were made.
Unfortunately, decreased mobility, age or illness may mean that the home that you love now poses some difficulties. Maybe arthritis makes the faucets a little difficult to turn on/off, or maybe you don’t feel as steady in the shower and are afraid of falling when no one is home. Perhaps the stairs are not just difficult to climb, but also very dangerous if you were to slip or miss a step.
Most parents can clearly remember the first years of their child’s life - patiently waiting for those first steps and making sure to hover close by in case of a fall. Once walking is "mastered" parents will still make sure to do what they can to prevent slips or accidents from happening in the home. It’s in our nature to make sure that we help loved ones as much as we can to keep them safe. But, the “I can do it myself” was the familiar cry that told us how badly they wanted to be independent.
Thanks to Google and many other search engines, you can easily find a lot of information about a ceiling mounted lift systems that touts all of the features and benefits. But, rarely do they answer the question; do I really need a ceiling mounted lift system?
To answer this question, you'll first need to take time to do the following:
Focus on the person's mobility needs and assess their current level of mobility
Factor in any changes that could affect this person's ability over time.
Consider the caregiver's level of ability to provide and assess this level of functionality over time.
Working with Therapists & Doctors
This is where the client’s therapists and doctors will help. Occupational therapists, in particular, are trained to evaluate a client’s level of functionality in an area they call Adult Daily Living Skills. Armed with this information, it is much easier to make decisions on which type of equipment is best suited for the client’s needs and what level of benefit this equipment will provide.At Lifeway, we work closely with the client and their family as well as review the recommendations of doctors and therapists in planning the solution that best meets the client’s needs. This sounds expensive, and it sometimes can be. In fact, many times the cost will lead clients and their families to choose the most affordable solution over the safest solution. However, choosing the most affordable solution may be the wrong solution, and can potentially lead to a dangerous situation. The safety of the client always needs to be considered.
Floor Mounted Lift Systems
An example of the above situation is choosing a floor-mounted lift system (Hoyert) instead of a ceiling-mounted track system. Many people will find that a floor-mounted lift system is more difficult to use than a ceiling-mounted track because they transfer the client’s weight to three small casters that need to roll over the floor of the client’s home. These castors may roll fairly well on hard surfaces, but they will not roll well over carpet or thresholds.
Overhead Lift Systems
An overhead system essentially takes the client’s weight out of the equation and transfers it to a specially designed track and trolley that has extremely low rolling resistance over the entire length of the track.Ceiling mounted lift systems can also be customized to fit the client’s exact requirements - from simple to complex including moving from room to room or to multiple locations in one room. Our goal at Lifeway Mobility is to factor all of the client’s needs, abilities, and budget into account when designing a solution to meet their needs.For more information on our ceiling-mounted lift systems, please contact us. We would more than happy to answer all of your questions about ceiling-mounted lifts.We have been proving ceiling-mounted lifts to the greater Chicago area, including northwest Indiana, and southeast Wisconsin since 1991!
Lifeway Mobility announced today that it has become the majority shareholder of Freedom Lifts, a Danielson, Connecticut-based provider of stair lifts, wheelchair lifts, and elevators.
A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) is a professional who has completed professional training in aging in place. The training and certification is offered through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in conjunction with Home Innovation Research Labs, the NAHB 50+ Housing Council, and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
Falls in the home are dangerous for anyone, but they are especially dangerous for people who are injured or aging. Falls are also more likely to happen to people who are injured or aging, as people who are injured or aging might lack the agility to stop the fall. An aging person who falls is more likely to break a bone, and the healing process slows as people age.
As relatives age, they may require a wheelchair in order to navigate around their home. Unfortunately, with the vast majority of elderly people living in older, more traditional homes as opposed to open floor plan designs, maneuverability with a wheelchair can be very difficult. This is especially true of bathrooms; small footprints, corners, vanities, large tubs, and other storage items make moving around the bathroom challenge.
While moving a sink or toilet may not be a viable option, there are many bath safety solutions that can make this space more user-friendly and safe for an aging loved one using a wheelchair.
Your parents cared for you as you grew up, and now that they are getting older, they may need additional help living safely in their home. In order for your aging parents to maintain their independence, you need to make sure they have the proper home modifications and safety measures in place to keep them out of a nursing home and in the home they love.
Below are some home safety tips on how to help your aging parents live safely & independently in the comfort of their own home.
Design Strategies For Residential Aging-In-Place & Accessibility
Lifeway Mobility is hosting a FREE educational webinar that will provide valuable information to architects, home builders, contractors, and design professionals. This one hour webcast will cover the importance of creating home floor plans and living environments that accommodate the individual mobility needs of occupants as well as their visitors through functional, attractive designs.
This webinar will be taught by Steve Hoffacker, who was named 2015 CAPS Educator of the Year. Take advantage of this valuable opportunity during your lunch break!
Improving Outcome Measures through Safe Patient Handling and Mobility
Lifeway Mobility is hosting a FREE one-hour educational webinar that will provide valuable information regarding the improvement of organizational and health care quality outcomes as it relates to safe patient handling. Taught by Amber Perez, a licensed nurse, certified safe patient handling professional, and the SPHM Director of Clinical Services. You can listen during your lunch break!
At some point, due to age or disability, you or a loved one may be faced with the prospect of having to use a wheelchair to assist in your primary mobility at home. Whether it be a temporary fixture to your home or something that will be more permanent, there are a number of simple modifications that can help improve accessibility and make life easier.
If you are like most people, you live in a home that was not designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Below are some simple ideas on how to make sure that you will be able to stay in your home despite the necessity of a wheelchair.
On a spectacular autumn day, Tuesday, October 20th, Lifeway Mobility, an accessibility equipment supplier that also offers a variety of safe patient transfer devices by Handicare, hosted a truly revolutionary pair of conferences for area clinicians at the innovative Oak Hill Assistive Technology in Hartford, CT.
Join our free CEU webinar, "Modifications to Overcome Stairs", on Wednesday, Nov 27th.
Lifeway Mobility's accessibility experts will provide helpful tips and educational information about solutions that can improve safety, independence, and quality of life at home for those with limited mobility.
