To install a home elevator, you’ll need a vertical space for the shaft to pass through each level of your home. This may work out well if you have an open stairway, a closet that you could convert to an elevator entry, or a floor plan that lends itself well to cutting through the floor in each level of the home that the elevator will pass through.

Space Requirements: To have an elevator with 3′ x 4′ of clear space inside, you’ll need a shaft that is cut approximately 54″ x 58″ and you’ll need to allow 3′ in front for the door to swing open. Under the shaft you’ll need a 12″ pit with 9″ of reinforced concrete and a 3′ 10″ x 4′ 7″ machine room adjacent to the cab to house the motor, electric supply and phone cord which will be used to operate the elevator./

As you can see, installing a home elevator can be quite an undertaking, but for the right type of home the space and money the installation of such an apparatus requires can still be a good investment. For those working with a more modest budget or who just need a straight forward elevator solution for themselves or their wheelchair, installing a simple track-guided stair lift or platform lift may be a more practical solution than a home elevator.

Home Elevator Providers

Stair Lifts  – By AmeriGlide, Summit, and Acorn. The perfect way to travel the levels of your house when climbing the steps is too cumbersome. Each is designed for homeowner installation with prices starting at $1999.

Residential Home Elevators  – Vertical Platform Lifts are the perfect, affordable home elevator solution! Perfect for a side door wheelchair lift or anywhere inside or outside your home or office.

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Users of manual wheelchairs can encounter serious problems, especially on rural paths. Although wheelchairs are permitted in the same places as pedestrians, there is no guarantee the terrain will be suitable for them. In many outdoor environments you must be prepared to encounter obstructions such as fallen trees, uneven, muddy or overgrown surfaces, cross slopes, steep hills, steps and narrow paths. Many wheelchair users have problems on anything steeper than a 1:40 slope, while stronger and more ambitious wheelchair users could cope with 1:20 or steeper. Surfaces should ideally be flat, smooth and reasonably hard, with a minimum of cross slopes and loose stones, especially on corners or where the path is raised.

If you’re considering an outdoor vacation with a handicapped companion, a special all-terrain wheelchair may be a good investment. Powered wheelchairs designed for street use also have problems on many off-road paths. Three-wheeled battery-powered all-terrain mobility scooters designed for use on more rugged routes widen the options, but these can be expensive and will still encounter problems with turnstiles or gates, steps, and narrow or blocked paths.

People with limited mobility are also likely to require other facilities such as regular rest stops which for wheelchairs should be level; accessible toilets; suitable parking spaces at the start of a walk which may need to be wide enough for wheelchair use; or accessible public transportation.

The lack of off-road routes that are easily accessible is made worse by the lack of detailed information about the physical features of paths. When information about wheelchair accessibility of paths is available, people with limited mobility can decide for themselves if a particular route is within their ability, either by themselves or with a companion, but without the information it is difficult to set off on a camping vacation with confidence.

Thankfully some local authorities and other organizations that provide for walking and outdoor recreation are at last starting to take wheelchair vacationers’ accessibility seriously. Some local organizations concerned with walking and the outdoors now provide routes and trails that have been specially adapted to make them more accessible, and are providing more detailed information about accessibility at other routes and sites. Some country parks and other countryside sites have mobility scooters for loan, and may be able to arrange special assistance for visitors with disabilities.

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The electricity sent out from the TENS unit causes your body to release natural pain killers called endorphins. The presence of endorphins in the blood stream prevents the pain signals from reaching the brain. Most units operate in two modes, a burst or pulse mode for chronic or low-level pain and a constant mode for acute short lived pain. The device is easily available in the market. Price ranges from $100 to $150 depending on whether you go in for analog or digital version. Apart from the basic unit there are various accessories such as gloves, electrode rubber, charger and conductive gel that you may need to invest in.

A device like a TENS unit should be used only under the continued supervision of a physician. Remember TENS does not cure the ailment; it is just a symptom-based treatment which suppresses the pain sensation. Many people take the treatment because no drugs are involved. But nevertheless, it does have a few side effects. The most common complaint is an allergic type skin reaction (experienced by about 2% of patients) and this is almost always due to the material of the electrodes, the conductive gel or the tape employed to hold the electrodes in place.

There have been many contradictory reports on the effectiveness of TENS. Some authenticate its working; others have found no relation on usage and lessening of pain sensation.

It is also important to note that TENS devices can affect the operation of demand type cardiac pacemakers. It is not recommended for patients with known heart disease to begin electrical therapy without physical evaluation of their risk factors. Further, it is important to knowledgeably apply the power of the device. Do not stimulate over the eyes or carotid sinus nerves. Also, electrodes should NOT be placed in a manner which allows current to flow trans-cerebrally (through the head).

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First of all, it’s important for anybody in a wheel chair not to fall victim to society’s role model of the “perfect woman.” These beliefs are fueled by publishing companies and the industry bent on selling more clothes and personal beauty products to women, and simply don’t apply to a woman in a wheelchair, or anyone else for that matter. If you are a woman who uses a wheelchair, take charge of this emotion right now and see it for it is: a ploy to sell products!

Next, any woman who is in a wheelchair should be able to see that society’s feelings about scooters and other medical necessities have changed over the years. It used to be a social taboo, but now more and more disabled women in wheelchairs are making an impact on our society. If you are a woman who exhibits confidence and a true belief in who you are, other people will be less likely to see your wheelchair, and look at you instead. I know a married couple who both have cerebral palsy and live in wheelchairs. The wife is very active as a disability lobbyist at her state capital, an artist who paints with her hand which she has only marginal control over, and she serves on the church council, too. A lot of progress has been made in the way society views people in wheelchairs, but there’s still plenty of work to be done in helping people change their attitudes. As a woman in a wheelchair you have a unique opportunity to help be a very visible force for that change. Think of yourself as a role model in your own right.

Men and women in wheelchairs have a better lifestyle possible for them today than at any other point in history. The availability of electric wheelchairs and scooters, the accessibility of buildings with ramps and elevators, and the improving societal attitudes toward disabled people mean that your life as a person will be more enjoyable in a wheeled chair. Take advantage of the modern conveniences available to wheelchair users! If you didn’t use a scooter, you would likely be more tired, or take the risk of tripping or falling. Because of this, many women simply don’t do many activities that they might otherwise enjoy. So, choose be a woman who rides in a chair and gets out to enjoy life, rather than letting other people’s views or opinions keep you from it!

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Once charged, the battery in the Invacare scooter will propel the scooter for about 18 to 23 miles depending on weight of the occupant and where it is being used. It comes with an onboard charger for easy maintenance. An interesting feature of the Invacare scooter is its 32 inches turning radius which allows the rider to maneuver in tight quarters. It comes with comfortable deluxe vinyl seats with beautifully carved contours and can swivel 360 degrees. The seat comes in various sizes to ensure proper comfort to the person seated. The Zoom 400 is available in deep blue or candy red. Precision controls ensure smooth operation and quick performance adjustments. The Zoom 400 scooter can be easily disassembled into four pieces for easy transport and storage with the weight of heaviest piece being only 53 pounds.

The starting price of the Invacare electric scooter is $2,895. Wheelchair accessories and optional equipment could cost a bit more. It comes with a warranty of 36 months on the frame, of 18 months on the electronics and 18 months for the transaxle. This powerful, versatile chair is a great one to put on your list of potential power wheelchairs to purchase.

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Manufacturers have realized the difficulty which some users face. Many lightweight folding mobility scooter options have come up lately in the market as a solution to this problem.

These lightweight scooters have parts which can be disassembled quickly and folded away. If the scooter is not to be used on rough terrain, it is ideal for shopping tours and offices.

One example of a lightweight scooter on the market is the No Boundaries Folding Scooter. Its length is 41 inches, width 21.5 inches and height 34 inches. Folded with battery detached, it’s about same size as a baby stroller but heavier. On disassembling it folds like a suitcase. It has a weight of 280 lb with the heaviest part weighing 27 lb. With a top speed of 4.5 MPH and a range of 10 miles it is priced at $1895 with optional extra battery and armrests. The scooter can climb moderate grades of incline that would challenge a person with normal walking ability.

When considering buying a folding scooter, try looking online. This easy, risk-free way of shopping can pay big dividends as you approach your decision. Online retailers often have advantages when it comes to selection and price, as well as convenience of delivery.

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If you want a versatile folding wheel chair, quickie makes one that folds into such a compact shape it can fit in the overhead bin on an airplane. If you want an inexpensive wheel chair, look at Quickie’s Breezy 500, priced at under $475. You can choose just the right quickie wheel chair for your needs and budget.

In the market for a rigid frame wheel chair? Quickie wheelchairs offer several great solutions including a tilt-frame chair with 53 degrees of adjustable tilt angles as well as lightweight, shock-absorbing titanium framed wheel chairs and chairs designed for every day performance.

For the serious competitor, quickie wheel chairs come ready for impact sports, with clip-on anti-tip tubes, and there is even a multi-speed hand-cranked tricycle for those who need to get somewhere in a hurry.

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Who doesn’t like freedom? The ability and freedom to move around, according to one’s will is one of the most basic instincts of any human being. Unfortunately there are many people who cannot enjoy this basic gift of nature. But recently, with the availability of electric scooters on the market, such as the well-named Freedom Electric Scooters, people with disability have been empowered with the freedom to move independently. These scooters have narrowed the difference in ability between the able-bodied and those who have difficulty getting around.

Most often electric scooters are powered with a rechargeable battery which makes them extremely convenient to use. Electric scooters generally have either three or four wheels. Four wheeled electric scooters will tend to be more stable over rough terrain than three wheelers, but will also use more power and be more expensive to maintain than those with three wheels. When choosing an electric scooter the parameters which need to be considered are the range of the scooter per battery charge, the weight the scooter can support, wheel type, size, turning radius, suspension, and ground clearance. Most electric scooters can travel an average of 20 miles off of one battery charge, but if the scooter is going to be the principle mode of transportation then consider going for a battery and type that can travel a longer distance. Also important is the turning radius in case the electric scooter has to be used in confined spaces.

In spite of the freedom of movement offered by electric scooters, people with a severe disability, like quadriplegics, cannot use them. The seat is usually not as supportive as a wheelchair’s seat, there are no leg rests, and the whole machine is designed to be used by an individual who has enough motor control to be able to support their limbs. This is in contrast to wheelchairs which are generally designed to support the entire body. The trade off of more support, is less freedom.

Electric scooters are available in various shapes and sizes for different budgets. Most decent scooters start around $800 but for the freedom they offer to disabled people, for the confidence they can infuse in them, it is more than worth the price.

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One major consideration for your electronic platform lift should be that it has a manual back-up. In fact, some funding sources even require this. Imagine if you were out shopping by yourself, and your van lift had a power outage; what would you do? If you had a manual platform lift, you could easily operate it by hand or instruct someone else how to do it for you and you’d be fine. These devices for the lifts are generally operated by a hand crank.

Next, you should consider the amount of space needed to operate the lift platform outside of the van. Some platforms take as much as 8 feet of space, so you will need to plan carefully. Where do you usually operate your van lift? Are the parking lots that you frequent large or are they confined to a small area that would make it difficult to operate a wheelchair platform lift? Think carefully about your particular requirements before purchasing your platform lift.

Pay special attention to how much space the platform will take up in the interior of your van. If you have frequent passengers, then you’ll want to avoid a lift that takes up most of the back or floor space because it will limit people from entering or moving about the van. In other words, look for a platform lift that will satisfy the needs of you and your passengers.

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Because wheelchairs can be expensive, finding an adjustable sized child wheel chair is a great investment in time and money. The right chair can grow with your child to keep him comfortable and active. The Quickie Zippie GS is designed to be adjustable and expands easily without the need for any new parts.

When selecting a child wheel chair, there are several other important factors to keep in mind. The height of the child’s peers can be a special consideration for very young children. The Quickie Kidz wheelchair addresses this problem by keeping the child’s seat low to the ground so he doesn’t loom over his age mates and feel left out or set apart. This chair also features another clever adaptation: Despite it’s small size, it has extra-tall stroller handles, so that it can be pushed by a caregiver standing erect. Your back won’t get sore crouching to push this chair!

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