Aluminum wheelchair ramps offer a quick & easy way to make a home accessible. These types of ramps can be used and installed year-round, with proper care & maintenance during winter weather months. If you’re in need of wheelchair ramp, there’s no need to wait for spring to have one installed!
Key Takeaways:
Clear snow & ice - Keep the ramping, platform, and nearby pathways clear of snow and ice to ensure safe use of the ramp
Use materials safe for aluminum - Use equipment (i.e. plastic shovel rather than metal) and salt that is safe to use on aluminum surfaces to prevent any damage to your ramp
Winter ramp installations are possible as aluminum wheelchair ramps can be safely installed year-round and are designed to resist rust an corrosion, which is perfect for areas with harsh winters.
If you’re in the market for a stair lift, you may be wondering if your health insurance or Medicare coverage will pay the cost. Unfortunately, standard health insurance policies and Medicare will not typically cover the purchase or installation of a stair lift, even with a doctor’s order.
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.
If you’ve been thinking about buying or renting a stair lift, you’re probably wondering which model is the best one to buy. Ranking any type of product can be subjective and if you ask 100 people, you’re likely to get many different answers. However, when you compare several makes and models of popular stair lifts side by side, it’s not too hard to see which ones rank better than others.
Since April is Occupational Therapy Month, it’s a good time to reflect on how occupational therapists help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world each year.
Despite the important services they provide, many people don’t understand what an occupational therapist (OT) does. An OT is a licensed health and rehabilitation professional that works with people of all ages with mental, physical, developmental, social or emotional problems to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills.
As we age, our balance, strength, and vision can begin to decline, and navigating stairways, steps, stoops, and landings can become increasingly difficult. Progressive illnesses and injuries can also cause these familiar household structures to become hazardous. In fact, falls are the leading cause of death and injury to older adults and a common reason that people give up on independent living.
A curved rail stair lift requires a track that is curved to fit the shape of your staircase. There are several different types of curved rail. When buying a curved stair lift, it is important to consider the pros and cons of each type of track.
If you have worked in or been to an elementary, middle, high school, or even a university lately, you may have noticed that there are many diverse situations that need to be accommodated for: wheelchairs, walkers, space for physical and occupational therapy, barrier-free playground equipment, etc.
Many schools throughout the country are older and were not built with these accommodations in mind, and despite the Americans with Disabilities Act, some schools are not as compliant as they could be. So, if you are an administrator looking to adapt your school’s environment for students with disabilities or a parent wanting more access, read on for more tips on accessibility!
After you have a stair lift installed, you won’t notice any significant changes to your home’s electric bill. A stair lift is energy efficient and uses approximately .024 kWh of electricity and should cost less than $15 per year.
A question that we frequently get asked is “How much does a stair lift cost?”. There are several factors that determine the price of a stair lift, including which make and model of stair lift you choose and whether your stairway is straight or curved. Other factors include whether you are purchasing a brand-new unit, a used unit or renting a stair lift.
Do you remember what it was like when you first started driving? For many, the ability to drive marked a rite of passage that signified the transition into adulthood and ushered in new found independence and freedom.
With the therapeutic benefits of warm water therapy gaining notoriety, you may be in the market for a new soaking or walk-in bathtub. If this is the case, you might have seen an option called a hydrotherapy air tub. While many people are familiar with tubs outfitted with whirlpool jets, commonly called a Jacuzzi tub, an air tub is a newer concept.
With so many brands, models, and features to choose from, selecting the right stair lift can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, if you know the right things to look for when shopping for a stair lift, choosing the right one doesn’t have to be a difficult task.
Walk-in bathtubs have long been known as an accessible bathing solution for people with limited mobility. But did you know that recent studies have also highlighted the therapeutic benefits of walk-in tubs? A walk-in tub can help people with a variety of conditions, including:
Fast approaching is that wonderful time of year when family and friends gather to celebrate the holidays. Often that means events and parties that include elderly parents, friends or relatives. Whether an elderly relative or friend with limited mobility is coming for the afternoon or staying longer, it is best to consider their safety and comfort.
As we age, getting in and out of a bathtub can become a difficult task that can put us at risk of injury. For those that enjoy a warm bath after a long day but have trouble lowering themselves into a standard bathtub, a walk-in tub might be the perfect solution.
A walk-in bathtub features a water-tight door that swings either in or out, and a built-in seat that allows you to bathe in a seated position. This means you can avoid lowering yourself into a traditional bathtub.
Many people are surprised to learn common home accessibility modifications such as stair lifts, ramps, and barrier-free showers are not usually covered by most standard health insurance policies or Medicare.
It stands to reason that equipment that makes living at home safer for people with limited mobility due to injury, illness, or aging would be covered by these funding sources. Unlike standard medical equipment such as a wheelchair or commode, accessibility equipment is typically installed and attached to the structure of the home, making it ineligible for insurance or Medicare coverage under current standards.
As we age, tasks that we once took for granted such as climbing the stairs or taking a shower, can become a challenge. If you or a loved one are planning to Age-in-Place, there many home modifications or adaptations that can help make this a reality.
People with limited mobility can benefit from many different types of mobility aids and accessibility equipment. Mobility issues can be caused by injury, aging and illness or progressive diseases like arthritis. Products ranging from walkers and wheelchairs to ramps and vertical platform lifts can accomplish the same goals in different ways.
Television ads that you see for stair lifts often promise quick installation, sometimes the same day. While same-day installation can be a great service and is sometimes necessary due to a loved one being unable to climb the stairs after an injury or discharge from a hospital. However, when purchasing a stair lift, it makes sense to be sure that the unit you’re buying meets your needs and has the optional features that are important to you, instead of just looking for a quick installation.
Lifeway Mobility is excited to announce that Extended Home Living Services (EHLS) — a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, licensed general contractor, and licensed elevator contractor providing lifts and accessibility modifications in the greater Chicago area, southeast Wisconsin and northwest Indiana — has joined Lifeway Mobility.
If you’re considering the purchase of a stair lift and have more than one staircase in your home, you may be wondering if you need more than one lift. It will likely come down to your budget and the need to access each stairway.
Aluminum modular ramps have several advantages over wood ramps including low maintenance, quick installation, superior traction, and resale value. Despite these advantages, some people prefer the look of a wooden ramp over aluminum. This is understandable considering many people spend years perfecting their exterior decorating and take pride in the way their home looks.
If you’re reading this, your stair lift may not be working properly, or you might be thinking about buying a stair lift and want to know what types of issues can occur. Fortunately, a properly installed and maintained lift is unlikely to cause you a problem. If you do have a problem with your lift, there is a series of troubleshooting tips that can solve some common stair lift issues without scheduling a service appointment.
If you have limited mobility and your home’s entryway has an elevated landing, step or threshold, you’d probably benefit from having an access ramp. Fortunately, there are many kinds of ramps that can help make your home accessible again. These include threshold ramps, portable folding suitcase ramps, solid surface one-piece ramps and aluminum modular ramps.
How do you know which of these is right for your situation? Let’s take a closer look.
