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If you spend a good portion of your time in your wheelchair, it makes a lot of sense to invest in the most comfortable one possible. Sitting in a comfortable seat is one reason why, but another reason could be that you’re causing long-term issues to your body. For example, if the seat cushion isn’t comfortable, you may be shifting your body weight from side to side to find a comfortable spot. And without proper support, you might experience back issues and damage your chances of independent living as a result. We’ve discussed four effective ways to make your wheelchair more comfortable.

Upgrade The Armrests

The armrests often get overlooked when it comes to the comfort of a wheelchair. It’s particularly important to have comfortable armrests with manual wheelchairs since your arms come in contact with them more. These don’t have to be thick and plush like your seat cushion, but any sort of cushion will go a long way in making the armrest feel more comfortable.

Splurge On A Wheelchair Seat Cushion

If a physical disability has you confined to a wheelchair most of the time, then it’s worth it to splurge on a luxurious wheelchair seat cushion. Try out different versions to see which ones you like the most based on the terrain you ride on. You can find wheelchair seat cushions with varying types of materials and thicknesses to find the perfect one. Just be sure to evaluate the cushion after you’ve used it for a while and replace it when it starts getting worn down and not as plush.

Incorporate Proper Lumbar Support

Lumbar support cushions are placed near the lower back to help support that area of the body. People who work at a computer desk all day often use lumbar supports, and wheelchair users should strongly consider using them as well. Sometimes a wheelchair may not have the proper lumbar support built-in, so your back could get fatigued no matter how comfortable the seat cushion and armrests are. The last thing you want to happen is to start experiencing back pain to go with the physical disability you already have.

Add Accessories To Make Life More Convenient

If you go to different places in your wheelchair and carry a purse, food, drinks, medical equipment, or other similar items, it can be inconvenient to hold those in your lap. Common accessories wheelchair users invest in include pouches and backpacks that attach to the sides or the back of the wheelchair. They come in various sizes so you can decide exactly what you need.

Next Day Access is all about creating the most comfortable situation possible for people who have a physical disability. The wheelchair itself sometimes isn’t enough to provide the ultimate comfort, but the good news is you can add plenty of accessories to make it feel exactly how you want to. Our experts can help you determine which cushions and accessories can fit your needs, so contact us today to learn more.

People with long-term disabilities need solutions to ensure they can maintain the highest quality of life possible. Mobility equipment like a power wheelchair or a stair lift can be rented, but it’s likely more cost-effective to purchase these items if you’ll be using them for a long time. Living comfortably with a long-term disability is all about perspective and making the most of the situation. Here are some mobility solutions to help you enjoy a high quality of life for years to come.

Install A Stair Lift

A stair lift can be an essential solution for people who have stairs inside their home. People with long-term disabilities sometimes avoid using the stairs to access the second story of their home simply because it’s too difficult or dangerous to get up there. With a stair lift, you don’t have to limit the accessibility in your home. When a professional installs your stair lift, simply sit on the seat, push a button, and get transported up and down the staircase. It’s one of the safest and most comfortable ways to navigate the stairs, so a stair lift tops the list of ideal mobility solutions for people with long-term disabilities.

Invest In A Wheelchair Ramp

A wheelchair ramp is a good investment even if you don’t have a wheelchair. It’s much safer to walk up and down a wheelchair ramp compared to stairs. And if you have a power wheelchair or a manual wheelchair, you can enter your home with ease. Professional wheelchair ramp installers are great at designing them to fit the exterior of your home’s layout and aesthetics. Just let them know exactly what you need, and they will turn your vision into a reality.

Find A Suitable Power Wheelchair

Having a long-term disability may mean you have to be confined to a wheelchair to move around. Instead of dealing with a manual wheelchair, consider the convenience of a power wheelchair. It’s much easier to navigate and doesn’t require nearly as much physical strength to move. Most options are plenty powerful to get up a wheelchair ramp with ease and allow you to navigate crowds at grocery stores and other places easily. Making life as easy as possible is important when you have a long-term disability, and a power wheelchair is a step in the right direction.

Next Day Access has plenty of solutions to help people with long-term disabilities. We always suggest starting with a wheelchair ramp to provide an easy entryway into the home. And if you have a manual wheelchair, upgrading to a power wheelchair can make navigating day-to-day life much simpler. We understand dealing with a long-term disability can present unique challenges, but our experts can provide you with many different options when you get a free home assessment. It costs you nothing to get advice and suggestions, so feel free to contact us at any time to schedule an expert to come to your home.

The aging population has trended toward the desire to live at home as they get older rather than moving into an assisted living facility. It makes sense in many different ways to age in place, but some adjustments might have to be made to make it a successful experience. Independent living is within reach for many people. When you evaluate your current living situation and consider all options available to you, then you can determine whether you are equipped for successful independent living. Here are some important steps to take to age in place successfully.

Evaluate Every Aspect Of Your Living Situation

You may not need to make a lot of home modifications now but look around to see what may need to be changed in the future. If your home doesn’t have a very open concept, now may be the time to start a home renovation to create more open space. The hope is you won’t have to use a wheelchair or scooter to navigate your home, but it’s usually ideal to get ahead of it and prepare for it if possible. And don’t forget to look at the outdoor living space as well. If you have any stairs outside your home, a wheelchair ramp can be a valuable investment you can enjoy now and in the future, whether you use a wheelchair or not.

Consider Transportation Options

Successful independent living means being able to go places when you need to. Whether it’s driving a vehicle or arranging for a caregiver to take you to medical appointments, grocery shopping, or anything else you need to do, considering your transportation options can’t be overlooked. You may have more options than you think depending on how many family members or friends you have in the area, but chances are you can find the right solution if you look at the appropriate options.

Stay Open-Minded And Flexible

The main thing to remember when striving for independent living is to be open-minded and flexible. Your situation can change in an instant, so make the most of it. For example, if you stumble on your steps, it could be a sign that it’s time to install the wheelchair ramp you’ve been putting off. And if someone offers to help you with certain things, take them up on it even if you know you are capable of doing it yourself. The more open-minded and flexible you are, the greater your chances of successfully aging in place.

Next Day Access is here to help the aging population age in place as successfully as possible. Everyone’s living situation is different, and each person has specific needs that should be met. But when you follow these steps, you can form a better idea of what you’ll need to succeed in independent living. If you have any questions about your current living situation and whether it’s suitable for independent living, contact us, and we would be happy to provide you with a free home assessment.

If you have an aging parent with a desire to remain at home as long as possible, it’s important to look at different aspects to ensure it’s the right decision. According to an AARP survey, roughly 75% of adults age 50 and older prefer to stay in their home as they get older but aren’t sure if it’s possible. Depending on if your loved one has a serious medical condition or the inability to complete routine day-to-day tasks, it may not be the most ideal option to age in place. We’ve taken a look at some considerations to make to determine whether aging in place is a viable option.

Prepare The Home For An Aging Parent

Preparing the home is one of the most critical aspects to provide the most ideal independent living situation for an aging parent. Take a close look around the home and see what challenges they may face as they get older and their mobility may decline. Things like installing grab bars and a wheelchair ramp can be done at any time when it becomes necessary to do so. In rare cases, some rooms may need to be renovated to allow for more space and remove potential limitations with wheelchairs or other devices. Identifying all of the potential concerns with a home can be challenging if you haven’t had to do it before, so calling a professional to assess the home may bring you more peace of mind.

Know What Support Options Are Available

The support options available for an aging parent are essential for independent living. If family or friends are close enough to check on them frequently, then you can feel better about their safety in case something goes wrong. You can also consider hiring a caregiver to check on them more frequently, run errands for them, manage their medication, and much more if you don’t believe you’ll be able to provide a sufficient amount of care. If your aging parent has enough support available, then you can feel better about them aging in place without having constant supervision.

Always Evaluate Physical And Mental Health

When you’ve determined that aging in place is an option for your parents, continue monitoring their physical and mental health to ensure the situation doesn’t change. If you start noticing changes in their behavior or physical attributes, you may need to ask them questions about their living situation. Many older parents don’t want to ask their kids for help and believe they are capable of doing things on their own. Sometimes this means they neglect certain things that could be detrimental to their health and wellbeing. 

Next Day Access believes everyone should be able to age in place if they can do so safely. We have a wide range of accessibility products and devices to help people with independent living. Whether you need a wheelchair ramp, a stair lift, a lift chair, grab bars, or anything else, we have you covered. And if you aren’t sure what exactly you need for an aging parent, we would be happy to provide you with a free home assessment. Be sure to contact us today to learn about the many options you have available.

Living with chronic pain isn’t easy, but many people are forced to deal with it. In a 2016 report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 20% of adults in the United States deal with chronic pain. This type of pain can impact everything you do in life, depending on the severity. One of the biggest concerns people striving for independent living have is the inability to navigate their home to take care of their daily needs. It’s a valid concern, but the good news is there are some tips to help you keep your pain levels as low as possible.

Rest Your Body When It Needs It

Resting your body can be challenging when you’re naturally an active person. However, you have to pay attention to the pain points in your body and rest if they are becoming too painful. Your instinct may be to power through the discomfort and live life as normally as possible, but you could be doing more harm than good to your body. Chronic pain may not go away on its own, so your role is to respect your body and take a break any time you feel like you need to. Most things you need to do can wait, and if they can’t, then ask a friend, relative, or neighbor for help.

Prioritize Your Health

Consuming the appropriate food and beverages may not cure your chronic pain, but they can help make the body feel better. Focus on getting a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables, along with the proper proteins. Many health issues stem from improper nutrition. People with chronic pain who don’t practice healthy eating habits sometimes experience more severe pain than people who are healthier overall. Nourishing the body correctly is important for helping you cope with chronic pain and keep you moving as much as possible.

Seek Appropriate Resources When Needed

Utilizing the resources available to you means asking for help when needed or investing in some type of mobility device to help with independent living. One of the most popular products is a stair lift for people who live in two-story homes. Navigating stairs can be challenging enough as you get older and can seem virtually impossible when you add chronic pain into the equation. With a stair lift, you simply sit on the seat, press a button, and it will move you up or down the stairs. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your home space just because you have chronic pain. Investing in the right mobility device can keep you moving and living freely in your home.

Next Day Access enjoys helping people live a more comfortable life when they are dealing with chronic pain. Sometimes a simple mobility device is all it takes to help people move around more and be healthier as a result. Living with chronic pain shouldn’t be taken lightly, and using the resources available to you is necessary. If there’s anything we can do to help you in your efforts to deal with chronic pain, contact us today.

Whether it’s because of the frigid winter temperatures or for health and safety concerns, staying inside is much more common this winter than in previous winters. It makes a lot of sense to stay inside from a health and safety standpoint, but you also can’t neglect your exercise routine at the same time. The aging population often strives for independent living, and being healthy is one of the main aspects of this. Even a person with disabilities can exercise from the comfort of their home. We’ve discussed several indoor exercises to keep you active throughout the winter and beyond.

Balance Exercises

Balance exercises are particularly important for the aging population. The better balance you have, the lower the risk you’ll have of falling and potentially injuring yourself. An injury can be devastating to your efforts of independent living, so it’s well worth the time and effort to work on your balance. A great exercise to do is to walk down your hallway or open space heel-to-toe with your arms out to increase your balance. Do this for at least 20 steps or as long as you can. You can also participate in one-leg-stands by holding onto the back of a chair and lifting one leg at a time for several seconds. 

Simple Indoor Exercises

Walking outside or going to the gym may not be possible for various reasons. The good news is there are plenty of alternatives you can do inside to stay active. Some of these exercises include riding a stationary bike, stair-stepping, toe lifts, walking in place, yoga, pilates, and much more. The idea of these exercises isn’t always to break a sweat, but rather to simply get your blood flowing. Doing exercises like this for a minimum of 30 minutes each day can go a long way in improving your health.

Why Exercising Indoors Can Improve Independent Living

Every type of activity you do can benefit your physical health. And when you’re generally healthy, you will be improving your independent living efforts at the same time. Balance concerns are always present with the aging population, and simple exercises like these can improve balance and reduce the risk of falling and getting injured. Independent living is possible for many people, but it takes some work to achieve and have some peace of mind.

Whether you’re getting older and thinking about what independent living will look like, or if you’re a person with disabilities that wants to stay at home, Next Day Access has you covered. Staying active is an important component of independent living, and you’ll increase your chances of succeeding even further with the right mobility products as well. That’s where we enter the picture. Whether you need a stair lift to help you navigate the stairs or would like some grab bars for some added stability and peace of mind, we have different options to choose from to suit your needs. We are a valuable resource for people striving for independent living, so contact us today to see how we can help.

When you’ve suddenly experienced an injury, medical condition, or illness that reduces your mobility, it’s common to feel a little down. However, it’s important to know that many other people have experienced similar things as you. According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, roughly 61 million adults in the United States live with some type of disability. Everyone handles a new disability differently at first, and if you’re struggling with yours, consider these thoughts to help you cope a little better.

Acknowledge Your Feelings And Practice Patience

It’s normal to have negative feelings and emotions about your new disability. People can tell you everything will be ok, but it’s still difficult to live normally with a disability you haven’t had to experience before. It’s important to acknowledge those feelings rather than dismiss them. Practice patience and look for solutions. Those solutions could be in the form of strengthening your mental health or physical solutions like installing a wheelchair ramp or stair lift to help you live life as normally as possible. A positive outlook on the situation may seem unreasonable at first, but it’s something that could help you recover quicker also.

Seek Advice From Others With Disabilities

People who aren’t in your situation may not always be the most ideal people to seek advice from unless they’ve previously lived it. Don’t hesitate to seek advice from others with disabilities to see how they have coped with it. Whether it’s through local support systems or communicating with people online, you have plenty of resources to take advantage of. Living with a disability is a new style of life, and it can be easier to make the transition when you hear about experiences from people in similar situations.

Make Adjustments To Your Home To Keep Life As Normal As Possible

Once you’ve accepted the fact that you’ll have to live with your disability for a while, you can move forward to finding solutions to help you live a normal life at home. Simple adjustments like installing a wheelchair ramp or a stair lift can provide accessibility in and around your home. Investing in a mobility scooter can keep you going outside of the home too, whether it’s going to the supermarket, riding down the sidewalk, or anything else you enjoy doing. Making these adjustments can go a long way in helping you accept your disability and make the most of it.

Next Day Access understands how difficult it can be to cope with a new disability. Sometimes it simply takes time to fully grasp what life will look like in the short-term and long-term. But during that time, you have access to many different resources to help you through the process, and we can be one of those resources. We provide various types of mobility aids and products to people who need them to live a high quality of life. If there’s anything we can help you with regarding your new disability, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.

Aging in place is a popular goal for many seniors. Living in the comfort of your home is attractive for many reasons, including not having to deal with the pressures of meeting certain standards at assisted living facilities and simply being more comfortable with your surroundings. However, some homes are not equipped with the proper aids to help seniors age in place. Many times it simply takes minor adjustments to make any given home easier to navigate, and we’ve discussed three of the most common products to consider here.

Wheelchair Ramp

Whether you use a wheelchair or not, a wheelchair ramp can be a great alternative to using stairs to enter the home. As you get older, your depth perception can change and you might accidentally not lift your foot high enough to step up. And sometimes, it may simply be a struggle to lift your feet that high to climb stairs. In both of those situations, a wheelchair ramp can solve the problem. They are simple to install for professionals, and they can make them look great from an aesthetic perspective as well. Just let the professional know your needs and desires, and they can build it per your standards.

Grab Bars

Installing grab bars throughout the home can be one of the most important investments for seniors who want to age in place easily and safely. These are most commonly installed in bathrooms since the floors can get slippery. They are much stronger than towel bars or other similar products and can hold your entire weight if you would happen to slip and grab onto it. Place them anywhere you want to feel more secure as you’re navigating your home, and it could be the difference between being safe and accidentally falling.

Stair Lift

Whether you have stairs indoors or outdoors, a stair lift can be an essential product for people who want to age in place. There’s a good chance that stairs will become increasingly difficult to navigate as you get older, and a stair lift is a viable solution for most people. It can be installed on various types of staircases, and all you have to do is sit on the seat, press a button, and get transported up or down. You won’t have to be fearful or tentative about navigating the stairs again, and you’ll have access to your entire home at the same time.

Next Day Access believes everyone who wants to age in place at their home should be able to. Everyone’s situation is different, but many times it simply takes a few home modifications to make aging in place a reality for seniors. Take a look around your home and see how things could be improved to make it easier to navigate. If you haven’t used mobility aids before, then consider reaching out to us for a free home assessment. We would be thrilled to discuss the various options with you, so contact us today to schedule an appointment and get started aging in place.

Sudden injuries can happen at any time. And when those injuries occur to your feet or legs, it can put a temporary halt to your normal day-to-day life. Whether the injury will limit your mobility for just a few weeks or a few years, you have some options to help you get around and live your life to the fullest extent possible. Finding the right mobility device is crucial, and we’ve provided you with some options to help you think about solutions.

Manual Or Power Wheelchair

A manual wheelchair is a cost-effective option to help you continue going places following your foot or leg injury. You won’t have to walk on your injured foot or leg, and it’s much easier to carry any belongings you have compared to other options. A power wheelchair may be even more effective depending on how you’ll use it. You simply move a joystick or button to move around with minimal effort. If you’ll mostly be staying around your home, then you may not want to incur the expense of a power wheelchair, but it can be well worth the money if you frequently go out of the house.

Mobility Scooter

A mobility scooter provides one of the easiest ways to get around with a foot or leg injury. It requires minimal effort to move and, depending on the model you have, it may have plenty of storage for your personal items. Places like grocery stores and shopping centers offer mobility scooters for disabled people, but you can also load yours up on a vehicle lift and take it wherever you need to go. Various options are available depending on the terrain you commonly experience. Four-wheeled versions are used for riding on sidewalks, uneven ground, and slightly rugged terrain. Three-wheeled versions can help you turn tight corners with ease and may be more ideal for navigating around your home.

Buying vs. Renting Mobility Products

The good news is if your foot or leg injury is just temporary, then you can rent mobility products rather than buy them to own. So if you just need a mobility scooter for 4-6 weeks, it may make more sense financially to rent it during that time instead of buying it and not using it once your injury has healed. Regardless of the mobility product you choose, it’s important to remember that you have options to ensure you can live your life to the fullest extent possible as you’re recovering.

At Next Day Access, we want to help you get into the mobility device you need to continue living your life. We offer various products for rent and purchase and have plenty of options to suit your needs. You may not know exactly which mobility device is right for you, but our experts can walk you through the different options to help you make the right choice. Feel free to contact us at any time for advice or to get answers to any questions you may have.

People with disabilities sometimes avoid traveling entirely because of the unknown accessibility standards at the destination. You shouldn’t have to alter your life significantly in this regard simply because you have a disability. Sometimes all it takes is a little planning and preparation to see what accommodations can be made, what mobility equipment may be available for rent, and other options to help you enjoy your time. The next time you get an itch to travel, consider these preparation tips to make the experience a more enjoyable one.

Find Out About Accessibility Options At Your Destination

Wherever you plan on going, look at the accessibility standards the destination has. Consider every point in your journey, including the airport, hotel, and local attractions you’ll be visiting during your stay. Companies have generally improved their accessibility standards over the years, but you don’t want to assume anything. Ask if they offer wheelchair rental services or have a mobility scooter available to rent. Getting these answers can help you plan your trip with peace of mind knowing you’ll be able to do the things you want to do as easily as possible.

Allow For More Time Than You May Need

Once you get your travel plans together and it’s time to start your trip, it’s important to allow more time than what you think you need. The airport lines could be long and set you back several minutes, especially if you have to travel with medication or any type of mobility aids that have to be checked. You may end up ahead of schedule when you allow yourself more time, but it’s better than having to rush and potentially miss your flight.

Understand Accessibility Standards

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 3.6 million people in the United States don’t leave their homes because they have a disability that limits their travel. Some of these people don’t travel simply because they prefer not to and are content being in their home, but others don’t because of the unknown of how their disability situation will be handled. Airports, hotels, and other destinations have accessibility standards they must follow, and everyone has the right to travel. Do some research on the rights you have to safe travel, and you may feel more comfortable about venturing out more often. And don’t be afraid to remind a staff member about your rights if you know the laws.

Next Day Access strives to help people with disabilities live the life they want. You shouldn’t have to limit the places you go because of your disability unless it’s a personal preference. Many destinations today offer wheelchair rentals and other mobility aids to help people get around easily and safely. You may need to prepare for a trip a little more than you normally would, but the preparation will be worth it in the end. If there’s anything we can do to help you on your next journey, contact us at any time.