mobility

Why Senior People and People with Infirmity Need Disability Equipment Like a Mobility Shower Chair?

Mobility Aid /

When senior people, as well as those with infirmity, are on the lookout for a piece of disability equipment like mobility shower chair, their natural tendency is to look for an item that they think is comfortable to use or have functionalities and features that fit into their needs. While there is nothing wrong with that, they tend to lose sight of another important aspect — their toileting and bathing needs!

mobility shower chair

What is a Mobility Shower Chair?

Mobility shower chairs are a kind of waterproof wheelchairs. They are particularly designed to be of aid to the user in getting by on his own when taking a shower or when using the toilet. By empowering the user, we are reducing the number of times he needs to make transfers just so they can carry out such day by day essential tasks. 

For us who are not in their position, getting off and transferring oneself from a wheelchair to the toilet is easy, there is nothing to argue about that. But for the infirmed and older people, simple actions like those can be physically taxing for them. They tend to get exhausted quickly. 

This is where a mobility shower chair comes into the picture, it can empower the user despite his physical frailties. Such a piece of disability equipment can help reduce the number of movements or needed transfers, consequently conserving the user’s valuable energy for the day. The energy he saved can be used instead of several other more meaningful activities. 

Should you feel there is a need to customize the functionality features of your mobility shower chair, you can do so but we will encourage you to collaborate with your trusted occupational therapist for this. Here are some of the important characteristics of a mobility shower chair that you should take into consideration:  

Seat Depth and Width

See to it that the shower chair width matches the dimensions of your hips. Otherwise, it will run the risk of putting into compromise the physical support that your upper body will require while the shower chair is in use.  

Aperture

The aperture pertains to the shape of the seater and the amount of space that will allow the user to carry out his toileting needs. A padded seat is sometimes necessary here to help in minimizing the risk of breaking down the skin with a horseshoe opening. The correct size and shape of the aperture are essentially important, otherwise, it will not serve its intended purpose.  

Backrest

The backrest can come either in at an angle position or in an upright direction. Determining the right height of the back support feature is of utmost importance in the ordering process. It will help you decide whether you will need to have it padded or not.  

Armrests

It is okay for the armrests to come at an angle position or vertical position. Or you can opt for something removable or foldable. This will help the shower wheelchair user decide or identify the best position that will bring him the most comfort.  

Footrests and footplates

Footrests and footplates usually come in removable or detachable types, which helps facilitate faster transfers. As for the footplates, you can flip them up instead. To keep the wheelchair user’s feet from getting caught up in the wheels or sliding, you may take advantage of the heel or calf straps.  

Tilt in Space

This usable feature would be necessary when the wheelchair user himself is having difficulty or finding it too challenging to keep or maintain his balance in an upright position. However, it is important to bear in mind also that tilts in some wheelchair models could get in the way of the user’s ability to utilize this disability equipment over the toilet.  

Wrapping Up!

There is a manifold of benefits that elders and the people with infirmity can enjoy if they will take advantage of a mobility shower chair in addressing their toileting and showering concerns. Basically, it will provide your body the physical support that it needs while it is in a seated position, you feel safe and are comfortable.  

Besides, optimum comfort level, it will also keep your transfers to a minimum. It will also serve as a valuable aid for the personal caregiver or to the member of the family who oversees/assists the user.

Regardless of the situation, we are encouraging you to get some assessment or advice from your trusted occupational therapist for this.  

 

Why Senior People and People with Infirmity Need Disability Equipment Like a Mobility Shower Chair? Read More »

When senior people, as well as those with infirmity, are on the lookout for a piece of disability equipment like mobility shower chair, their natural tendency is to look for an item that they think is comfortable to use or have functionalities and features that fit into their needs. While there is nothing wrong with that, they tend to lose sight of another important aspect — their toileting and bathing needs!

mobility shower chair

What is a Mobility Shower Chair?

Mobility shower chairs are a kind of waterproof wheelchairs. They are particularly designed to be of aid to the user in getting by on his own when taking a shower or when using the toilet. By empowering the user, we are reducing the number of times he needs to make transfers just so they can carry out such day by day essential tasks. 

For us who are not in their position, getting off and transferring oneself from a wheelchair to the toilet is easy, there is nothing to argue about that. But for the infirmed and older people, simple actions like those can be physically taxing for them. They tend to get exhausted quickly. 

This is where a mobility shower chair comes into the picture, it can empower the user despite his physical frailties. Such a piece of disability equipment can help reduce the number of movements or needed transfers, consequently conserving the user’s valuable energy for the day. The energy he saved can be used instead of several other more meaningful activities. 

Should you feel there is a need to customize the functionality features of your mobility shower chair, you can do so but we will encourage you to collaborate with your trusted occupational therapist for this. Here are some of the important characteristics of a mobility shower chair that you should take into consideration:  

Seat Depth and Width

See to it that the shower chair width matches the dimensions of your hips. Otherwise, it will run the risk of putting into compromise the physical support that your upper body will require while the shower chair is in use.  

Aperture

The aperture pertains to the shape of the seater and the amount of space that will allow the user to carry out his toileting needs. A padded seat is sometimes necessary here to help in minimizing the risk of breaking down the skin with a horseshoe opening. The correct size and shape of the aperture are essentially important, otherwise, it will not serve its intended purpose.  

Backrest

The backrest can come either in at an angle position or in an upright direction. Determining the right height of the back support feature is of utmost importance in the ordering process. It will help you decide whether you will need to have it padded or not.  

Armrests

It is okay for the armrests to come at an angle position or vertical position. Or you can opt for something removable or foldable. This will help the shower wheelchair user decide or identify the best position that will bring him the most comfort.  

Footrests and footplates

Footrests and footplates usually come in removable or detachable types, which helps facilitate faster transfers. As for the footplates, you can flip them up instead. To keep the wheelchair user’s feet from getting caught up in the wheels or sliding, you may take advantage of the heel or calf straps.  

Tilt in Space

This usable feature would be necessary when the wheelchair user himself is having difficulty or finding it too challenging to keep or maintain his balance in an upright position. However, it is important to bear in mind also that tilts in some wheelchair models could get in the way of the user’s ability to utilize this disability equipment over the toilet.  

Wrapping Up!

There is a manifold of benefits that elders and the people with infirmity can enjoy if they will take advantage of a mobility shower chair in addressing their toileting and showering concerns. Basically, it will provide your body the physical support that it needs while it is in a seated position, you feel safe and are comfortable.  

Besides, optimum comfort level, it will also keep your transfers to a minimum. It will also serve as a valuable aid for the personal caregiver or to the member of the family who oversees/assists the user.

Regardless of the situation, we are encouraging you to get some assessment or advice from your trusted occupational therapist for this.  

 

How to Protect Yourself From COVID-19 If You Are a Self Propelled Wheelchair User?

Mobility Aid /

Many of us think that the COVID-19 pandemic has made life more difficult and straining, and most of the time  we  can only whine so much about it. But things are even far more difficult and challenging for people living with some kind of physical infirmity, particularly those who need to use a wheelchair to help them in their mobility concerns. 

walker

Like everyone else, if you are physically well and fit and are not constrained by any kind of ambulatory issues,  just try to imagine how you will be living your  life amid the pandemic if you are using a self propelled wheelchair? Would you be able to do the  things you normally do with ease?

If a wheelchair is a constant companion to you, proper care and maintenance should be your utmost concern. Now that there is a pandemic, you need to keep it safe from getting infected. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is giving us their recommendations and the best practices we should observe if we are a wheelchair user. 

These measures are aimed at keeping people with handicap safe and secure against the novel coronavirus. 

Tip #1 

Carry your own personal sanitizer. 

Whether you are a wheelchair user or not, the most effective, convenient and easiest form of protection you can have against the novel coronavirus is the use of 75% diluted alcohol for disinfection purposes.  

You can divide the contents of a full bottle, and have them in much smaller spray containers so you can have your handy personal hand sanitizer. Carry it in your bag or pocket wherever you go.

On instances that it will not be convenient for you to wash your hands right away, a spray bottle of diluted alcohol would work wonders for you.  Besides you can also use it to disinfect parts of your wheelchair  that you or your personal caregiver will touch the most such as the joystick control ( for powered type of wheelchair), armrests, and push rims. 

Another alternative you can take advantage of in the absence of diluted alcohol are sanitizing wet wipes or tissue wipes, ensure though that they have sanitizing effects when used. 

 

Tip #2 

Get used to wearing hand gloves. 

Wheelchair users are also advised to learn how to wear and get used to wearing hand gloves. For doctors, medical professionals, and healthcare workers,  since they are the ones who are in the frontline of caring for the sick (even if it is not for COVID-19), it is a cardinal rule for them to follow this by heart — wearing a pair of surgical gloves is a must when handling a patient and caring for the sick. 

What we are dealing with is a global pandemic. Thus, we are encouraged to wear hand gloves and for proper cleaning of the same, we can use soapy water to wash it.

Washing your hand gloves with a disinfecting soap will help in exterminating microorganisms that may be present on it already. But if you need to access or leave a higher-risk area such as a hospital, the use of disposable gloves is highly recommended, which may come available  in latex or pvc material. 

Tip #3

Observe social distancing when you are outside. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention strictly advises the general public to observe social distancing when they need to get out of their homes. A minimum of 2 meters distance from the next person next to you should be observed. 

If you are a  wheelchair user, try to  minimize going out of the house and stay home as much as possible. The tendency for wheelchair users is to be surrounded or get flanked by  people around them in public areas. When this happens , it will increase your risk  and susceptibility to get infected by the coronavirus.  

If it is necessary for you to go out and you are wheelchair bound, social distancing is a must. When in public places, request people around you to observe their proper distance and thank them for doing so. 

When it comes to cleaning your self propelled wheelchairs, it doesn’t really matter if you are doing the cleaning task yourself or if you are sending it back to the original manufacturer of your assistive equipment to carry out a professional disinfection work on it. Make sure though that you are cleaning those surface areas that you touch frequently. 

How to Protect Yourself From COVID-19 If You Are a Self Propelled Wheelchair User? Read More »

Many of us think that the COVID-19 pandemic has made life more difficult and straining, and most of the time  we  can only whine so much about it. But things are even far more difficult and challenging for people living with some kind of physical infirmity, particularly those who need to use a wheelchair to help them in their mobility concerns. 

walker

Like everyone else, if you are physically well and fit and are not constrained by any kind of ambulatory issues,  just try to imagine how you will be living your  life amid the pandemic if you are using a self propelled wheelchair? Would you be able to do the  things you normally do with ease?

If a wheelchair is a constant companion to you, proper care and maintenance should be your utmost concern. Now that there is a pandemic, you need to keep it safe from getting infected. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is giving us their recommendations and the best practices we should observe if we are a wheelchair user. 

These measures are aimed at keeping people with handicap safe and secure against the novel coronavirus. 

Tip #1 

Carry your own personal sanitizer. 

Whether you are a wheelchair user or not, the most effective, convenient and easiest form of protection you can have against the novel coronavirus is the use of 75% diluted alcohol for disinfection purposes.  

You can divide the contents of a full bottle, and have them in much smaller spray containers so you can have your handy personal hand sanitizer. Carry it in your bag or pocket wherever you go.

On instances that it will not be convenient for you to wash your hands right away, a spray bottle of diluted alcohol would work wonders for you.  Besides you can also use it to disinfect parts of your wheelchair  that you or your personal caregiver will touch the most such as the joystick control ( for powered type of wheelchair), armrests, and push rims. 

Another alternative you can take advantage of in the absence of diluted alcohol are sanitizing wet wipes or tissue wipes, ensure though that they have sanitizing effects when used. 

 

Tip #2 

Get used to wearing hand gloves. 

Wheelchair users are also advised to learn how to wear and get used to wearing hand gloves. For doctors, medical professionals, and healthcare workers,  since they are the ones who are in the frontline of caring for the sick (even if it is not for COVID-19), it is a cardinal rule for them to follow this by heart — wearing a pair of surgical gloves is a must when handling a patient and caring for the sick. 

What we are dealing with is a global pandemic. Thus, we are encouraged to wear hand gloves and for proper cleaning of the same, we can use soapy water to wash it.

Washing your hand gloves with a disinfecting soap will help in exterminating microorganisms that may be present on it already. But if you need to access or leave a higher-risk area such as a hospital, the use of disposable gloves is highly recommended, which may come available  in latex or pvc material. 

Tip #3

Observe social distancing when you are outside. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention strictly advises the general public to observe social distancing when they need to get out of their homes. A minimum of 2 meters distance from the next person next to you should be observed. 

If you are a  wheelchair user, try to  minimize going out of the house and stay home as much as possible. The tendency for wheelchair users is to be surrounded or get flanked by  people around them in public areas. When this happens , it will increase your risk  and susceptibility to get infected by the coronavirus.  

If it is necessary for you to go out and you are wheelchair bound, social distancing is a must. When in public places, request people around you to observe their proper distance and thank them for doing so. 

When it comes to cleaning your self propelled wheelchairs, it doesn’t really matter if you are doing the cleaning task yourself or if you are sending it back to the original manufacturer of your assistive equipment to carry out a professional disinfection work on it. Make sure though that you are cleaning those surface areas that you touch frequently.