Health Articles

The temporary users of wheelchairs are generally patients nursing an accident injury. They cannot let the injury come in the way or work, if it takes longer duration to heal. Hence they may have to traverse the work place in wheelchairs and may have to use the accessories like the lifts and ramps. The other scenario wherein a wheelchair user might want to visit your house calls for the arrangement of ramp and the user may not be carrying one. The availability of the second user market, for the various accessories and wheelchairs, offers the convenience to rent the ramp for such situations.

Finding the dealer in the used ramps is no difficult task now-a-days. One can find many ads in the newspapers. The internet users have the convenience of browsing the required information from the comfort their wheel chairs. Many online sellers offer discounts, warranty and other features. Hence the harrowing task of identifying the necessary ramp becomes easy with the internet. Before choosing the rental company, one must decide the model of ramp required.

The type required might depend on the usability of it. If it need not be moved anywhere, then the stationery ramps are a good choice. If the portability of the ramp is sought, then one can go for the suitcase wheel chair ramps. There are also the other types available called the pathway and modular ramps. The details like the functionality and usability of the different types can be had on the internet very easily. Hence choosing the type required is also not a difficult task now.

One can order online, or call and place an order for the wheelchair. One must not forget to give the necessary information like address, the date by which the ramp is needed, the type of payment mode you are choosing and the likes. The charge may vary for each type of ramp, depending on the size of it. Some companies provide quick service and get it installed within few hours. It generally takes 24 hours to service the request. When the purpose of it has been served, one can request for the company to pick it from the place of residence or the use of it. They might send a contractor to uninstall the same and take it away. The ones who cannot afford to rent them can contact the insurance company to locate a Medicaid or Medicare representative

If you have an injury, neuromuscular disability, arthritis, stroke or carpal tunnel syndrome, you are among the tens of thousands of people living in North America with diminished hand strength and dexterity. The main problem with diminished strength and dexterity in your hands is the lack of grip strength. There are many great products on the market which you can buy to help with your grip -grip gloves, braces, powders, grip sprays etc. all designed with getting a better grip in mind. All of these products are certified and guaranteed by their respective companies to do what they were designed for. However, there seems to be an area where people have to be more creative in finding grip aids – personal grooming. Most find tips and tricks over the internet or talking to their physiotherapists. These tips and tricks could save you time, energy and money, all things which are very important to anyone’s life, not only the disabled.

Tip # 1- Grip sleeves for tools are about $3-$4 each. It can really add up if you consider everything which you consider a tool. They are helpful and function well, however they can be bulky causing fatigue and cramping over time. A simpler idea would be to use foam rubber shelf paper, available everywhere including dollar stores. It is used by physiotherapists as an inexpensive method of adapting everyday items into an easy to grip item. Just cut out a piece of foam the size of the tool, wrap it around the handle, and secure it with rubber bands. The rubber adds an extra dimension for gripping without slipping, and will cut down on nasty vibrations.

Tip # 2 – Squeezing is an area which grip can be painful. Buy toothpaste and other products which are available in ‘pump’ dispensers. It may be more expensive (around a dollar more) but it will be worth every penny. You can also buy pump dispensers from your local pharmacy and transfer your favorite products into them. If pumps are still painful, try blocks of soap and shampoo. They can be bought at most ‘natural’ shops like The Body Shop or Lush. These products also work for people with chemical sensitivity problems.

Tip # 3 – In the shower, always have a chair or stool to sit on. There are many different products on the market today to help but if you are frugal, you can use a stool or chair from a hardware store with rubber feet. Also, a rubber mat will help with slipping, and rails are always indispensable. Having a shelf next to, or in the shower will allow you to do more without bending or stretching. An adjustable shower head will be helpful for washing your hair or shaving your legs without the exhaustion. Some people have problems with heat or cold. Having the fan on while you shower or bathe will help with the heat and having a large towel next to the bath will help with cold. Try sewing the towel together to form a tube, this will be easier to keep it on, and help with drying your back without extra effort.

Tip # 4 – To style hair without pain or exhaustion, use a long handled brush or comb. Adding a long stick to the handle can elongate the brush or comb, once again wrap it in rubber for extra grip. Buying a stand up hairdryer will be the best purchase you may buy in your life. You can sit under it and read while the dryer does all the work.

Saving energy and avoiding pain from a lack of grip strength is very important for people who suffer from an injury, neuromuscular disability, arthritis, stroke or carpal tunnel syndrome. Finding products to help with everyday functions will make your life much easier and less stressful. There are many companies who provide these products for every special need. Check online and at your local pharmacy to find these products, and talk to your physiotherapist for more tips and tricks. There is a wealth of information you can access without exerting any energy at all.
Pat Munro

Stairlifts remove all of the hassle of getting up and down the stairs. They can be extremely liberating and ensure that you never feel unable to access any room in your home. Similarly, the installation of a stairlift may also ensure that you never feel that you have to move out of your house and find accommodation that is more easily accessible. It could very well help to change your life by, conversely, ensuring that you don’t have to change a thing!

Whatever the size of your home, the length or shape of your stairs, there is almost certainly a product to suit. Straight stairlifts and curved stairlifts have been manufactured to fit into the modern home, causing minimal disruption whilst providing optimal service. Most models fold away easily and, to a certain extent, discretely; so it needn’t get in the way of other people in your home or indeed yourself.

Because stairlifts are designed specifically for elderly and the physically frail, the controls are also extremely easy to use and accessible. Many people still have a fear that they may fail during an electrical blackout or due to mechanical failure; in truth, all models are no built to exacting standards and may be serviced to ensure that there are no issues, whilst also providing a secondary battery power source, ensuring you should never get left high and dry.

You might also be surprised by the cost of a standard stairlift. Whilst in the past they were seen as an expensive luxury, today, as technology has improved, prices have dropped. Today a new or reconditioned stairlift might cost as little as £1,000, making it within reach of most households. Suppliers should also provide you with a warranty as well as arranging installation, giving you complete peace of mind.

Whilst we may not want to face up to issues associated with age or disability, there’s no reason to go on suffering and ‘getting by’. The home should be a sanctuary, somewhere that you are comfortable moving around in. When climbing the stairs becomes a burden and you no longer feel happy going up or down, then something needs to be done. Whilst it may cost money, a stairlift really can give you a new lease of life within your home.

Modern stairlifts are built for durability, comfort and ease. Always checks the manufacturer’s warranty and specifications before committing to a purchase, just to ensure that it is compatible with your home and personal requirements. But above all be confident in your investment. A stairlift is designed to make life that little bit more comfortable, it provides your home with a safe portability, ensuring that no room is inaccessible and that you can go on enjoying a life free from help.

We all need a helping hand at some point in our lives. When it comes to stair mobility though, nothing can compare with the affordability, convenience or effectiveness of a stairlift.

Following a traumatic brain injury, the survivor may become dependent upon those close to them. The dependencies may be emotional in nature or based on a substance abuse. Whatever dependency is involved, it can lead to difficulties in recovering from the injury.

Some of the emotional problems that can lead to dependency are a result of lack of initiative; lack of motivation; planning and problem solving difficulties and lack of self-esteem. All of these things can lead to feelings of powerlessness. And for this reason they will often become emotionally dependent upon someone close to them. There is another type of dependency called learned helplessness or learned dependency which will sometimes come about when someone helps beyond the point where help is actually needed.

With frontal lobe injuries there may also be a difference in emotional intelligence post-injury versus pre-injury. This is quite different from intellectual intelligence. Emotional intelligence relates to emotional self-awareness, the ability to recognize others’ emotions, taking responsibility for their own feelings, empathy, self-confidence, self-control, feelings of independence, and getting along with others. Difficulty in these areas can lead to dependency on others, particularly a caregiver.

Another dependency may be that of substance abuse. Sixty-seven percent of those with brain injuries have a history of substance abuse pre-injury and fifty percent of those will return to using alcohol and drugs following their injuries. However, substance abuse can often be a result of boredom and loneliness also. With the use of alcohol and drugs after a brain injury, there is an increased risk of seizures as well as the risk of sustaining further brain injuries.

But there are many others who will fight for their independence. i.e.: they will drive before they have been given the ‘go ahead’ to drive; will refuse to go to therapy appointments; will feel increased anger if they are personally, socially or financially limited, as well as if they are deprived of privacy. Also those who need help physically may resent the help they receive if they think they should be able to do it themselves.

Regardless of whether they have become dependent or are fighting for their independence, it is important to remember that there are no two brain injuries that are the same and each person will react differently to their circumstances.