home safety Archives

Next Day Access is pleased to announce the grand opening of its second Canada location in Langford, British Columbia. The Next Day Access Victoria, British Columbia franchise, which will provide accessibility and mobility solutions to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, is owned by Al Santos.

Next Day Access provides a variety of solutions to help people of all ages who have temporary or permanent injuries, veterans who have become disabled, and seniors aging in place. Some of the services include product installation, in-home safety consultations, home and bathroom modifications, rental, and rent-to-own programs for non-custom products. 

Santos brings many years of experience as an Advanced Care Paramedic in educational and managerial roles, spending most of his career in Canada and the Middle East. After over 30 years in paramedicine, he felt that he wanted to do more by providing accessibility and mobility solutions to customers with unique needs.

“Next Day Access is a natural fit for me. In my career, I saw many patients struggle to stay in their homes safely due to a lack of accessibility and mobility. I witnessed firsthand many injuries over the years that were in part caused by homes not being safely modified for changing health needs. I want to increase the quality of life for others by now hopefully being preemptive and preventing injuries,” says Santos. When asked why he chose the Next Day Access brand, he felt that the business and product offerings are a perfect fit to continue helping those in need enjoy the comfort of their home while being safe.

Anyone with mobility-related disabilities who may need a temporary or permanent solution or wishes to age in the comfort of their own home can now turn to a locally owned and operated business in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The new Next Day Access location is backed by a national brand they can trust to meet all their needs in an expert and professional manner. In addition to the British Columbia franchise, Next Day Access has additional locations in Canada and the United States.

We all know that walking is good for physical and mental health. But did you know that walking can keep your brain healthy and slow the progression of memory loss? A recent study found that middle-aged and older people with early signs of memory loss increased their cognitive health after they started walking frequently. This is because walking increases oxygen and blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain.

What happens to our brains when we walk

If our brains receive more oxygen, that’s a good thing. According to Neuropeak Pro, our brains use about 20% of our body’s total oxygen supply, so if we don’t get enough oxygen up there, it’s easy to feel “foggy.”

Additionally, a third of our brain is made up of blood vessels. So with increased blood flow to the brain, there is better cognitive function, improved memory, and protection against decline.

Walking several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes can:

Keep thinking, reasoning and learning skills sharp
Improve memory and cognitive function for people with mild Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment
Slow the progress of Alzheimer’s
Increase the size of the part of the brain that’s associated with memory formation.

More research is needed to know how physical activity may improve memory. However, it is important to walk and exercise to stay healthy physically and mentally. At Next Day Access, our goal is to help you keep safe and comfortable while aging in place. We offer accessibility and mobility solutions for your home. Contact us to schedule a free home-assessment.

World Occupational Therapy Day is on Wednesday, October 27^th of this year. This day was initially launched to celebrate and heighten the visibility of occupational therapy. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Belong. Be you.” This year’s theme promotes the power of diversity and inclusion as we work together to build community and resilience.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy teaches you how to adapt. After an illness or injury, tasks may not be as easy as they used to be, especially if the pain is involved. Your OT will set up a plan to improve the way you accomplish activities. They determine if you need to learn how to do things in a completely new way or if you need assistance with remembering how you once performed the task. If they notice the lesson is painful, they will help you figure out how to achieve your everyday activities with minimum pain.

People with the following struggles find enormous relief when they see an occupational therapist:

Spinal cord injury
Low vision
Alzheimer’s disease
Poor balance
Cancer
Diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Cerebral palsy
Mental health or behavioral issues
Joint replacement
New Injuries that change the way the patient will function through life

Occupational Therapists Aid Seniors Choosing to Age in Place

While Occupational Therapists excel at helping those with an injury, disability or illness, they can also help if you have an older loved one choosing to age in place. They can teach them how to adjust to daily life, whether it be bathing, dressing, or learning how to adapt to home modifications.

At Next Day Access, we are proud to aid occupational therapists when they need products for their patient’s homes. We have a wide variety of mobility equipment, home modifications, and accessibility products to help ensure that anyone living with a disability or aging in place is secure and comfortable at home. You can even contact us for a free in-home consultation.

Next Day Access is proud to announce the grand opening of a new franchise location in Toledo, Ohio. Jeff Rowe is the President/Owner of Next Day Access Northwest, Ohio. Next Day Access provides accessibility and mobility solutions to customers in local communities. The new location will focus on helping customers live independently and age-in-place by offering and installing wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, grab bars, bathroom safety, scooters, and more.

Prior to becoming owner of Next Day Access Northwest, Rowe brings years of experience in sales in a variety of industries, from medical devices and pharmaceuticals to hospitality and material handling equipment.

“I wanted to work more with end-users that sold products that would be life-changing for people,” says Rowe. When asked why he chose the Next Day Access brand, he said, “Next Day Access checked all the boxes I was looking for since it is a growing industry selling life-changing products. Once meeting the Home Office team, I knew they were good people, and our visions aligned perfectly.”

Anyone with mobility-related disabilities who may need a temporary or permanent solution or wishes to age in the comfort of their own home can now turn to a locally owned and operated business in Toledo, Ohio. The new Next Day Access location is backed by a national brand they can trust to meet all their needs in an expert and professional manner. In addition to the Northwest, Ohio area, Next Day Access has locations in the United States and Canada.

Even though porch season is winding down, we wanted to share with our readers how convenient and efficient a porch lift, also known as a vertical platform lift (VPL) can be for people with limited mobility. A porch lift is a cost-effective solution to gaining access to reach raised porches, decks, and other elevated areas for wheelchair, power chair, and other mobility devices.

Often when there is not enough space for a ramp, porch lifts can be a solution. Here are a few reasons you might decide if one is suitable for you.

Less Space Than a Ramp

Trying to decide whether you need a ramp or a lift? How much space do you have? A porch lift will require a 5′ by 7′ area regardless of the rise. A ramp’s size will increase with every step.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives guidelines for ramps. It is a good reference point for ramp slope and length. At a residential home, the standards are different, but for public property, the ADA Standards require a 1:12 slope ratio or 4.8-degree slope.

That requires for every inch that rises, an additional foot is added to the ramp length. For example, if an entrance has three steps with a 7″ riser per step, it will require a 21′ ramp.

Although these calculations were based on a public space, it shows just how significant a ramp is compared to a porch lift. If your space is small at home, a porch lift can be a better use of space than a ramp.

Simple and Safe Without Assistance

Of course, there can be safety concerns with any moving platform. However, with a porch lift, you do not need to be dependent on a caregiver. If your mobility allows you to hold down the lever or button, you can operate a porch lift and thus be able to come and go as you please.

It Works in Weather Conditions and Requires Little Maintenance.

Porch lifts can withstand weather conditions. If temperatures consistently drop below freezing in the area where you live, consider a cold-weather package to ensure your lift will run smoothly on frigid days. It is recommended to have your porch lift serviced annually to help avoid malfunctions.

At Next Day Access, we are proud to sell, install, and service porch lifts. Our company goal is to provide products for our customers that give them more independence, keep them safer and more comfortable at home. Contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation to help you ensure your home is accessible as it can be.

Have you reached the point in life where it is time to take care of the parents or grandparents that once took care of you? As your loved ones grow older, they often need help with small tasks like picking up groceries, making health-related decisions, or bathing. Whatever their needs may be, it is essential to be supportive and not overbearing. Here are a few steps to help guide you as you navigate supporting an aging loved one.

Step 1: Assess Their Needs

Assessing your loved one’s needs is most important when learning to be supportive rather than making them feel like they have not lost their independence. Experts recommend considering the following issues seniors often face to help you better assess their needs:

Family support
Home safety
Medical needs
Cognitive health
Mobility
Personal hygiene
Meal preparation
Social interaction

How well do they handle each area listed above? Try to monitor their ability to address each of these areas on their own. Regarding family support, is there another family that can help? If so, it is an innovative idea for you to keep a family notebook. In this notebook, you can share with family when you notice they might lack the ability to care for themselves or are unsafe. You can work together to make the necessary changes.

Step 2: Be Financially Prepared

As parents or loved ones grow older, they may need help managing finances. While having conversations about money can be awkward, and some may want to avoid it, discussing it now can help prepare for the future. You can start the conversation by asking about essential documents, gathering information about accounts and key contacts, and helping with deciding long-term plans. If you talk to your loved ones now, it will give them more control over financial decisions, so you aren’t overwhelmed with what they would want in an emergency.

Step 3: Install Home Modifications

To avoid your loved one from sustaining an injury in their home, having accessibility experts evaluate their home for any safety concerns is essential. Older adults fall easier, and a fall can cause injuries or even death. With home modifications, such as grab bars or stairlifts, your loved one can live comfortably and safely at home.

It is a noble endeavor to take on someone else’s needs. It can sometimes feel daunting, yet if you have a plan, you will be more capable of meeting your loved one’s needs. Next Day Access is here to help. Next Day Access can assist you with determining the home modifications you will need to ensure your loved one stays as safe as possible. Contact us for a free in-home consultation.

Making a tiny bathroom accessible may seem impossible, but you can do it with some creativity. There are so many design options these days that you can easily create a tiny bathroom accessible while also being sleek and stylish. Here are a few tips to get you started with designing an accessible bathroom for a small space.

Change the Door

Most people with limited mobility may say that a barn style or sliding door is preferable over a swinging door. Maneuvering around a traditional swing-in or swing- outdoor can be difficult when turning a wheelchair. It is also a clever idea to widen the doorway. A wider opening is hassle-free and safer for anyone using a mobility device.

Remove the Tub and Shower Enclosure

Believe it or not, you can still shower in the bathroom if you tile the entire bathroom floor and set up proper drainage. Once you install an adjustable handheld shower, you can use large glass panels or huge shower curtains to contain the shower spray. Other options could be a walk-in tub or a bathtub modification kit. The kit allows you to turn any tub into a walk-in shower, creating a safer maneuver into the shower.

Install a Smaller Sink

A sink with a shallow basin at wheelchair height is ideal. When creating an accessible sink, allowing space for the wheelchair user to slide under is ideal. Think slim when choosing a sink. You can get one with counter space but leave the bottom area open. For a tiny bathroom, your sink needs to be small and as tucked away as possible.

At Next Day Access, our goal is to help provide accessibility or mobility solutions to individuals with limited mobility or caregivers to help create a safer and more comfortable lifestyle. Our experts can help you design an accessible bathroom, even if space is an issue. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home evaluation.

When you or your aging loved one decides to age in place, creating a safe and comfortable home is essential. As seniors age, their mobility decreases, and there is a higher risk of falling. The home must have home aging in place modifications to help prevent injuries. Here is a list of six simple yet effective home modifications.

Installing Grab Bars or Hand Rails

Installing grab bars or railings in high-risk slippery areas, like the bathroom, can provide better support. Grab bars are typically installed near the shower or tub area and near the toilet. However, grab bars or railings can also be installed along hallways and staircases. These home modifications can give seniors more support maneuvering around the home.

Add Slip Resistant Mats to Tubs and Floors

In addition to grab bars, adding slip resistant mats or even slip resistant stickers, depending on mobility, to tubs and bathroom floors can help prevent falling. This can be the simplest yet also efficient way to prevent falling.

Quick Tub Conversions

Quick tub conversions turn your existing bathtub into a step-in shower while still maintaining a fully functional bathtub. Stepping in and out of the bathtub can be a slip hazard for older adults.

Threshold Ramps

A threshold ramp is a simple and safe way to help wheelchairs or other mobility devices to cross over rough surfaces. The slightly-inclined platforms makes it easy to cross over raised landings, doorways, or curbs.

Replace the Hardware on Door Handles and Cabinets

Replacing round doorknobs with lever-style handles can help people with arthritis or grip issues easily open doors. Likewise, swapping out round kitchen cabinet doorknobs with lever-style handles or bar handles makes accessing kitchen items a breeze. Small knobs, like those commonly found on kitchen cabinets, can be hard to grasp for people that struggle with dexterity.

Add More Light Fixtures

There are many ways to bring more light into the home. You can put nightlights in the hallway, tap-lights under cabinets, or lamps on tables. This will aid your loved ones in seeing where they are going, which can help prevent any trips or falls.

At Next Day Access, we offer solutions for home modifications. Our goal is to provide various solutions to help prepare a home for aging in place. Some of the additional services we provide include product installation services (for big or small jobs), in-home safety consultations, rental, and rent-to-own programs for non-custom products, as well as financing options. If you or a loved one is in need of our services or products, contact us today. 

Whether you’re an older adult living at home or have a physical disability that limits your mobility, bathroom safety should be a top priority. According to the National Council on Aging, falling is the result of more than three million emergency department visits every year. What may be even more surprising about that statistic is most of the falls are preventable. Improving bathroom safety should begin with evaluating your current bathtub or shower and deciding whether a walk-in tub or shower could be beneficial. Here are the main factors to consider between the two.

Benefits of a Walk-In Tub

Older adults striving for independent living can benefit from a walk-in tub in many ways. The anti-slip surface provides better traction than traditional bathtubs or showers to help prevent slipping and falling. The lower threshold also means you don’t have to lift your feet as high to enter, so it’s not as difficult to maintain your balance. A walk-in tub is shaped differently from traditional tubs since they are taller but not as wide. This means you can more easily submerge your body in the water and allow the hydrotherapy jets to target your aches and pain points.

Walk-In Showers Have Some Limitations

If you’re used to primarily taking a shower instead of a bath, then you may be considering upgrading to a walk-in shower. These can be more spacious than traditional shower-tub combinations, but the problem is they don’t allow for sitting and taking a bath if you want to. For a senior living at home, having this option is important so you can sit and relax after a long day, or if you get to a point where standing for several minutes becomes more difficult.

Your Current and Future Needs When Deciding

Some of the things to consider when deciding whether a walk-in tub or a walk-in shower is right for you include:

Any mobility limitations you have
Whether you would benefit from hydrotherapy jets to target pain points
Possible slip hazards
Whether you enjoy sitting and relaxing occasionally

It’s essential to think about these factors for your current situation and what you may want in the future. A walk-in tub or a walk-in shower is a significant investment, so it’s important to get what you need for the long-term since the decision is difficult to reverse once installed. A walk-in tub is usually the popular choice for a senior living at home. It is easily accessible and suitable for aging in place without risking safety as much.

Next Day Access strives to help seniors with their independent living efforts. Walk-in tubs and walk-in showers are popular upgrades to bathrooms, but you have to think closely about which one is most ideal for you. Most seniors opt for a walk-in tub, and it’s easy to see why with all of the luxury features they have available. Safety is always the number one concern for a senior living at home, and a walk-in tub can enhance it. If you’re thinking about upgrading your bathroom, contact us, and we would be thrilled to provide you with a free home assessment and help you learn about the options available to you.

Stair lifts are a great product to consider installing in your home if you’re afraid of tripping and falling. Some of the biggest causes of falling in the home is a poor stair design, uneven stairs and small stair widths. Every year, millions of people admit to the emergency room due to injuries suffered from falling. Small home modifications for older people can go a long way in preventing these injuries and giving peace of mind. Not sure if a stair lift is right for your home? Here are three common questions that can help you decide.

How do I know if a stair lift will fit in my home?

There is a stair lift available to fit virtually every staircase. If you have a straight staircase with no turns or landings, then a straight stair lift is what you’ll need. Curved stair lifts are also available for any other type of staircase and can be customized to the layout of your home. Most stair lifts simply require a wall outlet to plug into, and many of them also come with a battery backup in the event of an emergency.

A trained and certified home accessibility professional can create the appropriate configuration to keep you safe while going up and down the stairs. You do not need to have any background knowledge on the different types of stair lifts available or if they’ll fit your needs. When you work with the right professional, they will make recommendations based on exactly what you need to maximize your mobility and increase safety in your home.

Can you install a stair lift for outdoor stairs?

Stair lifts are also designed for your outdoor living space. Most outdoor stair lifts are fully waterproof and designed to withstand harsh elements. Like indoor stair lifts, they are customized for straight stairs, curved stairs or even for stairs with multiple landings. Enjoy your outdoor living space more with an outdoor stair lift that requires minimal maintenance over time.

How sturdy is a stair lift?

A stair lift is typically secured directly to the staircase, not on the railing or the wall. You should not experience any type of unsteadiness with your stair lift, since your weight is applied to the staircase. The weight limit of stair lifts can vary, but many of them have a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds with options for higher weight capacities if you often carry items up the stairs that could exceed this weight limit.

Next Day Access believes your home is where you should find ultimate comfort. The feeling of being uncomfortable walking up and down stairs can lead to a greater risk of accidents. If something as small as installing a stair lift could ease your worries, then give us a call today to schedule a free in-home safety assessment.