Thursday, July 9, 2009

Home Accessibility Equipment Options to Consider in 2009

Home Accessibility Equipment Options to Consider in 2009
By Casey Markee



Home healthcare has grown by leaps and bounds in the last several years. Thanks to new accessibility technology, there are more options than ever to help you or your loved one get around the house. If you need to have a piece of power equipment in your home to help with mobility, there are a few different options to choose from.

Stair lifts allow you or your loved one to move from one floor of the house to another with ease. Stair lifts have secure seating areas that are lifted along a ramp by AC or battery power. Depending on the person's mobility, they can get in and out of the stair lift chair by themselves or with assistance. When you're looking for a stair lift, you should look for a model that mounts to the stair treads and not the wall. It should come to the very top of the landing and the bottom of the landing so getting in and out of the chair is simple. Stair lifts can be built to accommodate all types of staircases, including curved staircases and narrow staircases.

Home elevators are another step in home healthcare accessibility comfort. Elevator lifts don't require the person to get in and out of a chair in order to get up the stairs. Just like with elevators in commercial buildings, a home elevator can easily transport people from one floor to another without having them get out of a wheelchair. Most home elevators are for two stops and travel between two floors. Installing home elevators is a major task and should be overseen by a contractor or licensed professional to ensure safety.

Power wheelchairs help individuals get around on one level of their home and in other places around the neighborhood. They are powerful pieces of machinery and should be well researched since they are used so much. Before you invest in one, you should look at a few different factors. Pay attention to the turning radius. Some power wheelchairs are able to make very tight corners and others are difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. This is especially important if you are going to be using the wheelchair in places like stores or small hallways.

Dumbwaiters aren't always associated with home accessibility issues, but they can be helpful devices in the right situations. They are normally used to transfer items between the garage level of a home and the first floor. Before purchasing a dumbwaiter you'll need to consider how much weight you'll be transporting between the floors of your home. You'll also need to look for a model that can cover the height that you need to travel and how much you will be using it.

Home accessibility items like these can be expensive. Fortunately, if you need these items you may not have to pay full price. Investigate opportunities to buy home healthcare items like these second-hand. If you find a reputable used dealer you can save a lot of money on a quality home healthcare item.

No comments: