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Features and Considerations of Pediatric Wheelchairs

Navigating the world with mobility challenges can be especially daunting for children. Pediatric wheelchairs are designed to cater to the unique needs of young users, ensuring they can move around safely and comfortably. These wheelchairs are not just scaled-down versions of adult wheelchairs, rather they incorporate specific features that address the growth, comfort, and developmental needs of children. Here we take a look at features to consider when choosing the right chair.

Ready for a Stairlift in Your Home?

Everyone wants to be able to comfortably access all of their home, but for those with mobility issues, this can become more difficult. If you have a home with multiple floors, getting up and down the stairs can become harder to do, often meaning you will avoid using them unless absolutely necessary, and can face challenges when it comes to getting to your bedroom or bathroom with ease.

This makes a stairlift a vital piece of equipment when it comes to helping you maintain your independence and comfort. Here’s our guide to what you need to know about stairlifts, and why they’re an essential purchase for your home.

Why You Should Have a Lift Chair

When it comes to getting older, it’s not just getting around that can become more difficult due to mobility issues, it can also affect the more sedentary parts of our day. This is especially true when it comes to how and where we choose to sit down, relax, and unwind.

Standard chairs can often be uncomfortable, as well as presenting a challenge when it comes to easily standing up from and sitting back down in them. That’s where lift chairs come in. Lift chairs are designed to aid with mobility issues and provide a comfortable experience for all people. Here’s our guide to why lift chairs are important, and what options are available to you when purchasing a lift chair. 

Using a Four Wheeled Rollator

Navigating daily life with mobility challenges can be daunting, but with the right support, it can become more manageable and even empowering. Four-wheeled rollators are a popular mobility aid that offers increased stability and convenience, helping individuals maintain their independence and freedom of movement.

However it’s important to use it properly to avoid any further issues and to ensure safety. Users should the time to become familiar with the features and practice proper techniques, as this will greatly enhance the benefits and improve wellbeing. Here are a few things to know about using a rollator.

Bath Safety Essentials

Bathing can sometimes be difficult, uncomfortable, and hazardous, especially for those with limited mobility. To avoid this affecting quality of life, there is a range of bathroom safety accessories and furniture that can be installed so that you have peace of mind, and ensures that using and navigating the bathroom is accessible and easy for people of all ages and needs.

New Year Resolutions – Plan for Success in 2024

Happy New Year! As we welcome in 2024 this is the time not only to reflect on the past year, but also make resolutions and set goals for the new year. This is a great time to set personal goals for yourself, as resolutions for the new year is such a well-recognized practice. Everyone is making plans, which creates a great mutual support network. Of course it is also well-recognized that many resolutions fail, however it does not have to be that way. Here are some things to consider if you’re going to make resolutions and want them to be successful.

Adjusting Your Home After a Stroke: A Mini Guide to Enhanced Safety and Comfort

Stroke Recovery

Recovering from a stroke can be a challenging journey, not just for the individual affected but also for their loved ones. One of the key aspects of this journey is adapting the home environment to ensure safety, comfort, and support during the recovery process. At Island Mediquip, we understand the importance of creating a living space that caters to the new needs of stroke survivors. This blog aims to provide practical tips and insights on how to adjust your home post-stroke.

7 Tips for Better Sleep + Benefits of Care Beds

Sleep plays a vital role in overall health, as sleep deprivation is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times is vital for mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. Here are a few tips for better sleep, and some of the benefits of care beds.

6 Reasons Why Birdwatching Should Be Your New Hobby

One of the most relaxing and rewarding activities that nearly anyone can do is birdwatching. Vancouver Island especially is a paradise for birds, with hundreds of species making it their permanent or transient home. This is due to the mild climate and our geography offering them a huge diversity of habitats, from dense old growth cedar and douglas fir trees to rocky and sandy shorelines to tidal mud flats to inland rocky hilltops and Garry oak meadows. Birdwatching is a great hobby to get involved with, and we’ll explore why in this blog.

Tips for Gardening While in a Wheelchair

Gardening is one of the most relaxing and rewarding pastimes, whether you’re planting to create a beautiful and serene space, or growing herbs and plants for your kitchen. It’s a great way of spending your free time, keeping your mind and body active in the process.

However, gardening is not without its accessibility challenges, especially for those with mobility issues, which is why it’s important to understand what you can and can’t do, and what can be done in order to fully open up your garden to you so that you can make the most of the space available. To help you, we’ll run through some helpful tips for how to make gardening in a wheelchair comfortable and enjoyable.

Aids for Arthritis Relief and Enhanced Mobility

Arthritis isn’t a single disease, the term refers to joint pain or joint disease, and there are over 100 types and related conditions, which can affect individuals at any age. Its symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and limited joint movement, which can affect individuals of all ages. Symptoms can vary in intensity and duration, with some remaining stable over time while others progress and worsen rapidly. Severe arthritis can lead to chronic pain and significant challenges in walking and other daily activities. However, there are aids available that can greatly alleviate these difficulties, and in this blog we will explore some of these tools and devices.

Protect Your Skin and Be Safe in the Sun

Spending time outdoors is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress, and get vitamin D. And it’s especially nice to be out and about on Vancouver Island where we have so many beautiful places to go. But it’s important to keep sun safety in mind, as huge potential health risks are involved. Here we’ll take a look at how to protect your skin from the sun so you can have an enjoyable summer.

Walking Strong: Stay Active and Independent with a Walker

When it comes to diminishing or lost mobility, one of the main worries people have is that it will affect their independence and quality of life. For those who are used to living active and varied lives, the possibility of losing their ability to socialize, enjoy their hobbies, and live a self-sufficient daily existence, can be a stressful and difficult idea to deal with. 

However, it doesn’t have to be the case—while there are adjustments to make, there are also ways you can enable a lifestyle that you want. Mobility aids are one such way of doing that, and today we’re going to focus on walkers and how they can help you maintain an active and independent lifestyle.

Cooking Tips When You Have Limited Mobility

woman in wheelchair cooking in kitchen

Cooking is a valuable activity, not just in terms of what it provides with regards to nutrition, but the ancillary benefits it can bring as an enjoyable and expressive hobby. As a key part of your routine, you’ll want it to be as accessible and enjoyable as possible. 

For those with limited mobility this can be a challenging proposition, however it’s not something to be intimidated by. It’s also not something that you necessarily will need to make major renovations or changes to accommodate, as with the right approach and minor changes, you can mitigate challenges and ensure that cooking is an enjoyable and relaxing experience. 

Stair Lift vs. Home Lift: Which One is Right for You?

Stair Lift

For those with mobility issues and impairments, one of the biggest daily challenges can be having to navigate getting up and down stairs. Luckily there are options available that can make any home a more accessible place and alleviate this issue — usually these options will come down to either a stair lift or an elevator. 

There are of course differences in cost, installation, and the features available, so if you’re weighing up your options and trying to choose between a stair lift or an elevator for your home, then this is the blog for you. We’ll break down some of the key differences so that you can make an informed decision and choose the option that best suits your needs. 

Accessible Date Night Ideas

wheelchair couple

In addition to tasty food and a charming atmosphere, ramps, lifts, and access areas should be at the top of your date night list. While there are unfortunately some activities and venues that aren’t going to be possible to participate in, there are dozens of other fun date ideas. So whether it’s for Valentine’s Day or any other day of the year when you want to have a romantic date, here are a few date ideas that everyone can usually* enjoy, regardless of mobility.

Tips on Efficiently Downsizing and Decluttering

Couple packing boxes.

Whether you’re moving to an assisted living residence, retirement community or just to a smaller condo, downsizing can be a daunting and overwhelming process. One of the most difficult aspects is deciding what to bring with you to your new home, but with proper planning and organization, it can be a manageable process. Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to organizing your belongings.

Stay Safe This Winter

Senior woman with hot drink

The winter can be a magical time, but it’s also one that poses significant risk to older adults. The drop in temperature can lead to a higher risk of health problems and complications, such as hypothermia, frostbite, and falls caused by ice and snow.

However, these risks can be mitigated by taking precautionary steps and being prepared for how the changes will affect your body and routine. With that in mind, here’s our mini guide to how everyone, but especially older adults, can stay safe and secure this winter.

Why You Need a Lift Chair

Reclining lift chair

When it comes to people who are dealing with mobility issues, it isn’t just a matter of how they get around when they’re outside their home, but also being able to navigate their own home with safety and comfort. 

For this, there are a number of different mobility aids that will be able to significantly improve their quality of life. In this post we’re going to look at one of those aids: the Lift Chair. We’ll cover what a lift chair is, and why you or your elderly relatives should have one in their home. 

Tips to Have an Accessible Halloween

elderly woman and young child with witches hat

Halloween is one of the more exciting times of the year. A great excuse for people of all ages to immerse themselves in the spooky, the odd, and to bring out the inner child in all of us. It’s also a great time for families to get together, and if you’re thinking about hosting a party for friends and relatives this October, you’ll also want to make sure that everyone has a good time! 

Not all Halloween activities are completely accessible or suitable for elderly or disabled relatives, but with a little thought and planning, as well as this guide on how to make an accessible Halloween for people of all ages, you'll be sure to put on a memorable party. With that in mind, here are our tips for hosting an accessible Halloween party. 

Common Scams Targeting Seniors To Beware Of

Old woman in front of computer

Scams have always been around, but in the present day, with the proliferation of internet scams and their increasing complexity, it’s important to ensure that any elderly relatives are being cautious. Scammers will often target elderly people specifically, hoping to prey on their lack of technological savvy or take advantage of any confusion. 

Scams can come in a wide range of forms, from claiming to sell a product or service, offering an investment opportunity, or even catfishing and relationship scams. 

No matter what the scam is, the preventative measures are the same: it’s a matter of knowledge, education, and exercising caution. 

If concerned about a loved one, make sure you keep an eye out for any signs of large cash withdrawals or suspicious communications. And make sure you’re knowledgeable when it comes to scams by reading the rest of this article on some of the primary scams that can target the elderly.

5 Exercises for Wheelchair Users

Woman in wheelchair

Everyone should be able to stay active. It isn’t just important to our physical health, but also to our emotional and mental wellbeing. However, for wheelchair users, this can seem like a far from straightforward proposition, especially when it comes to key areas such as aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise. 

However, using a wheelchair doesn't have to be an obstacle when it comes to getting regular and enjoyable exercise activities into your daily routine. And to demonstrate just that, here’s our list of some useful and invigorating exercises for wheelchair users.

Six Signs Your Elderly Loved One Needs Extra Support

Aging is a reality that we all have to face eventually, and one of the things that must be considered is what help our elderly relatives will need. As they get older, there is a strong chance that they will require some assistance with some parts of their lives. 

The help needed is very individual from person to person, but often it starts as a gradual change. Therefore, it’s important to look out for signs that might mean more support is needed, as being aware can help prevent potential accidents or downward health spirals. 

Sometimes it can be difficult to actively seek help, so here are six signs that could suggest someone is needing extra support in their life.

7 Tips For Staying Safe in the Sun for Seniors

Seniors in the sun

With the summer, comes glorious sunshine, but with that also comes the need for everyone to ensure they stay safe — and especially that they protect their skin so that they can make the most of the weather in comfort. 

This is even more important as we get older, as the risk of developing skin cancer increases, as well as other risks such as skin aging and eye damage. 

To ensure you’re well protected, read this list of the best tips and techniques for staying safe in the sun this summer. 

Gardening With Limited Mobility

If you have mobility issues one of the most important things is to be able to get out and enjoy fresh air and stimulation without having to venture too far from home. This is why having gardening as a hobby can be a great activity, as it gives a place to relax, keep active, and enjoy the benefits of a mobile and independent lifestyle. 

With that in mind, this post is going to look at some of the best tips and advice to help anyone who has trouble with mobility to garden at home in a comfortable and enjoyable way. 

How to Exercise with Limited Mobility

Senior Woman exercising

Being able to enjoy all of the freedoms is one of the most important things for anyone with mobility issues—and this includes the ability to exercise. Whether you’re a fitness buff or just someone who wants to add a little boost to their day, you don’t have to let mobility concerns stand in your way. 

Whether it’s due to health conditions or again, in this post we’re going to take a look at some tips and ideas for exercising for those with limited mobility.

How to Help Combat Loneliness

The last two years have thrown a lot of issues into the spotlight—including a number of things that people are often reluctant to talk about, and loneliness is one of the most important ones.

We know that many of our customers are older, and more at risk, and for these people, the last two years have often been difficult when it comes to isolation and being separated from friends and family. What’s more, as we get older, and mobility and independence become greater concerns, it can be hard to see people as often as we’d like, contributing to a feeling of loneliness. 

Not only does loneliness greatly affect our mental health and well-being, but these effects can also take a toll on our physical health. Luckily there are a number of steps you can take to help counteract this problem, some of which we’re going to explore in this post.

Advantages of Having a Hospital Bed At Home

One of the best investments that a person can make is to buy an amazing bed. Sleeping well is important for all of us, but it is particularly important if you are suffering from an injury or mobility issue, as sleep plays a huge part in recovery and general wellbeing. 

Something that can help improve sleep is having the right bed and mattress, and if you have extra mobility needs, then a hospital bed may be the best option. Here we take a look at the particulars and benefits of hospital beds in your own home. 

Tips For a More Comfortable Kitchen

Kitchen with fridge and oven

When you have limited mobility, cooking can be a difficult and frustrating task. And if cooking and preparing food is seen as a cumbersome or even painful activity, then that really limits the availability of not only healthy foods, but causes dependency on others. 

Luckily, with the right accommodations anyone can still have fun in the kitchen regardless of any challenges that may be due to age, illness, or injury. You don’t have to spend a fortune structurally renovating in order to create an accessible kitchen. There are much smaller modifications that can be easily made to improve how your food is prepared. 

Tips for Seniors to Cope with the Cold This Winter

Winter suburbs

As the colder winter draws in, and we move into January, it’s important to know how to care for yourself and your loved ones. These colder temperatures, and the unpredictable inclement and severe weather, can be especially difficult for seniors, who often have trouble regulating their body temperatures and are more susceptible to colds and other illnesses. 

Luckily, there are a number of steps you can take to help make things easier for seniors throughout the winter, which we’ve detailed in this post. 

Getting and Using a Walker: What You Need to Know

For many people with mobility needs, especially as they get older, getting around from place to place can be a challenge. There are problems stemming from overbalancing, as well as the inconvenience of needing regular rest periods.

A walker is a great way of providing additional support, which not only helps people to maintain and improve their independence and confidence, it also helps them to remain safe and secure when getting out and about. 

A walker — or as it’s sometimes referred to as, a rollator — is similar in construction to a walking frame, but with the addition of wheels and brakes, with both 3 and 4 wheeled options available.

Benefits of Using a Lift Chair

A lift chair is an electric powered armchair allowing the user to adjust it to safely lower themselves into a seated position, or lift them into standing. This mechanism alleviates the strain and pressure that can come from getting in and out of a chair, and makes users less dependent on others for assistance.

We carry a variety of lift chairs, also known as recliner chairs, and so here is a look at some benefits and specific chair highlights.

What To Know Before Starting Your Electric Scooter Journey

When it comes to retaining your independence and making sure you can still get to all the places you want to go with ease and comfort, using an electric scooter is a fantastic aid.

But if you’re new to owning one, whether you’re upgrading from wheelchair use or new to mobility aids, it’s important to ensure you have all the knowledge you need to operate your mobility scooter safely. 

5 Types of Grab Bars, Why You Need Them, & How to Install Them

Living independently with a disability often requires a few extra tools and supports that help you stay safe while you’re at home. Unfortunately the shower and bathtub are among the most dangerous places in the home for people with disabilities, and there’s no avoiding using them. 

The big reason for this is there is a risk of slipping, coupled with no safe place to land if you do fall. However there is a small but valuable tool that can change all of that: Grab Bars. 

Grab bars give you an extra place to brace yourself and something to hold onto that will make falls a little less treacherous if they do happen. 

There are many types of grab bars that work for more than just the shower or bath and you don’t have to break the bank to get the right one. You also don’t need to change the walls of your home or drill holes for every model, depending on the type of support you need. Use this guide to discover which grab bar is right for you and how it’s installed.

Things to Consider Before Adopting a Pet

For many older adults, mobility limitations, health issues and low energy can keep them from the social engagement they once enjoyed. Especially in seniors who live alone, social isolation can lead to loneliness, depression and poor physical health. Pet therapy has been shown to benefit seniors by improving depression and anxiety symptoms, increasing self-care, and even improving heart-health. It turns out giving and receiving unconditional love is literally good for your heart!

If you find yourself needing a little companionship, you might consider adopting a pet. A dog or cat is the perfect roommate that won’t take up all your space or independence and will provide you with comfort and something cuddly to look after. If you do decide to adopt a pet, here are a few things you should do to get prepared for the new experience, to make sure you are ready to handle the responsibility of a new pet. 

Do You Need A Home Elevator? Getting One is Easier Than You Think!

Getting around your own multi-story home is relatively simple if you’re able to climb stairs. But if you aren’t, whether due to age or disability, heart or lung issues, vertigo, or whatever the reason is, if you find climbing stairs difficult or impossible it makes going around your own home very frustrating. 

Not being able to manage stairs in your home can potentially lead to being forced out of your home into a bungalow or building with an elevator to avoid the issue. 

However, there is a better option! 

A home elevator is a safe and effective option for getting around stairs. You might have considered this option in the past and thought it was not available to you or that it was out of reach due to the cost. 

But, a home elevator might be a lot easier to have installed than you thought. You don’t need a custom home or to completely alter your existing structure to get a lift installed that will help. 

Small Supports That Can Help You Stay Comfortable & Independent In Your Home

It is incredibly frustrating not to be able to move around and be comfortable in your own home. To need help just getting out of bed, positioning yourself to read, work, or eat, and even reaching for a snack in the pantry can make a person feel like aging or their disability will always stand in the way of their independence.

Thankfully, there are some support items that can help you stay comfortable and increase your independence safely. Here are some of the products we carry that while little can make a big difference in your life. 

Tips for Buying and Using Crutches

Crutches provide support if you're struggling to balance or need to take the weight off of one, or both, of your legs. They can feel more stable and secure than a walking stick, and are a crucial part of having some independence when needed. 

Most people use non-weight bearing crutches when they need to keep weight off an injured leg, so they can heal and get back to full mobility. Non-weight bearing crutches can be used for both short and long-term mobility assistance and can help you support your weight when you’re unable to do so on your own.

Whether your situation is temporary or you’re a lifelong user of crutches, we have what you need to ensure comfort, safety, and durability for the duration of your time on crutches. 

Reduce Swelling with Cool Healing Technology

Swelling occurs whenever the organs, skin, or other parts of your body enlarge. It’s typically the result of inflammation or a buildup of fluid. Swelling can occur internally, or it can affect your outer skin and muscles. It can be painful and tender to touch, and can often slow down healing.

There are a variety of ways and remedies to reduce swelling. Your treatment will depend on the cause of the swelling. 

One method which can significantly reduce the pain and speed up your healing time, is cool healing technology, and there are specific pieces of equipment that can help reduce swelling. 

Accessibility Tips For Hosting Guests

Old woman in yellow shirt with walker

If there’s one thing we’ve all learned over the last 12 months, it’s how much we can come to miss the small joys of hosting guests. But regardless of whether you’re hosting someone from your core bubble, or planning a visit for when restrictions are lifted, if you have a family member or friend with accessibility needs, there are certain steps you can take to make their experience that much easier. This is especially important if they’re going to be regular visitors to your home. 

While you might not be able to fix or accommodate every need for accessibility, at least informing visitors of the situation can help alleviate unexpected stress. 

Tips On Renovating Your Bathroom To Be Accessible

A stylish modern bathroom is a great fit for many homes, and something that can add a real touch of pampering and luxury to your daily routine. But, these designs often fall well short when it comes to accessibility.

Don’t worry, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to have the stylish bathroom of your dreams, especially with these tips for renovating your bathroom in an accessible way. 

Accessible New Year’s Resolutions

There are a lot of things that are imperfect with your typical New Year’s resolution, with them often becoming either a stressful burden or a forgotten cliche.

However, there are ways of making this time-honoured tradition one you can approach with confidence and enthusiasm this year.

You can start by following this guide to implementing accessible New Year’s resolutions that will be suitable for everyone in 2021. 

Tips on Maintaining an Active Mind

Getting older doesn’t mean slowing down — especially mentally — as it becomes ever more important to keep a sharp and active mind.

As we age, the volume of our brain shrinks and those synaptic connections diminish or disconnect. Or to put it simply, things like memory and concentration become harder to manage.

Thankfully, there’s a wealth of research out there when it comes to the best ways to keep your mind sharp as you age, and we’ve compiled some of our favourite strategies — a few of which have the added bonus of being fun as well!

Easy and Effective Exercises For Seniors

As we get older, our lifestyle changes. Not just in terms of what we can and can’t do, but in terms of what we want to do. And as we round out 2020, that is even more true.

We know many seniors will be unable to get out and utilize their regular exercise clubs or activities, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice what you enjoy!

It just means it’s time to find some new exercise routines to build into your daily routine. Here are a few ways to keep healthy in-home. 

The Best Accessible Hiking Trails On Vancouver Island

When it comes to the first thing people want to get out and do once they have their new mobility scooter — the answers are usually the same! People want to be able to explore the diversity and wonder of Vancouver Island’s many hikes and trails.

But it can be difficult to know beforehand which trails are easily accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Here’s a list of some of our favourite accessible hiking paths and trails on Vancouver Island.

A Buying Guide For Finding The Right Mobility Chair

Living room with brown lift chair

Whether you’re settling down with a good book, curling up with your pet, or simply relaxing after a long day - a comfortable chair can go a long way to making your home a better place to be. 

This is something many of us take for granted, but for people who struggle with mobility issues, getting in and out of a chair can make life difficult. That’s why mobility lift chairs (and getting the right one for you) is so important. 

To help you find the perfect mobility lift chair, we have put together this handy guide.

The Essentials of Looking After A Wheelchair or Electric Scooter

We are proud to offer a variety of mobility helpers to make life easier and more accessible. Whether you’re looking for a wheelchair or an electric scooter, we offer something for everyone. 

This a guide into basic care and maintenance of these particular vehicles, so that you can extend its life and usability. 

Choosing the Right Aids for Daily Living

Living independently and being able to rely on yourself is something that can sometimes be a challenge. Particularly now during the Coronavirus pandemic, when many of us are finding ourselves isolated, away from our usual support system of friends and family.

Adjusting to life in isolation can be a stressful experience and having the right equipment will certainly help make the change easier to deal with.

Having access to the right aids also helps relieve a lot of stress and makes it easier to gain independence in the best of times. 

We offer a lot of items that can help with performing household tasks that might otherwise be a struggle. Read more about some daily items that might be useful to have around the house. 

How To Look After Your Wellbeing During A Period Of Self-Isolation

Person looking out of window from inside house

For the most vulnerable in society the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t just presented a health risk - the self-isolation it’s required has also taken its toll on their emotional wellbeing and mental health.

That’s why we’ve created this post, with a guide to some of the activities, practices, and general advice you can follow to help lift your spirits if you’re in a period of extended isolation.

Coronavirus Advice For Caregivers And Wheelchair Users

woman in wheelchair smiling at laptop on table

Nothing is more important to us than our community of valued clients. And having worked to provide aids and equipment to people with a variety of conditions and disabilities, we’re aware of how hard this current climate is for our customers.

With that in mind, here’s our advice as to some of the best practices and guidance for our customers to navigate accessibility issues during the COVID-19 crisis.

No matter what you do—it’s essential to check with professional medical advice first, and this can be found by consulting your doctor or visiting the official government website

A Guide To Buying A Pediatric Wheelchair

Pediatric Wheelchair

For any child, mobility and independence are hugely vital, both physically and emotionally—something that remains true even if they need assistance with mobility. This is what makes pediatric wheelchairs a vital resource, and an important decision for any parent.

To help, we’ve compiled this guide for what to look for when buying a pediatric wheelchair. 

How Home Care Beds Can Improve Your Quality Of Life

White bedroom

When it comes to caregiving and improving quality of life—the presence of a home care bed is a vital step. These beds are essential to providing accessibility and comfort for patients with a wide variety of needs. Here we detail how a home care bed can improve quality of life, and what to consider before purchasing. 

How To Find The Right Walker

4 wheeled walker outside

Finding the right walker for you can have a truly transformative effect on your life — opening up new possibilities and vastly improving your ease of access across both your home and when getting around. But, it’s vitally important you find the right walker for your needs. With that in mind, here’s our comprehensive guide to finding the right walker for you. 

A Guide To Bath And Shower Safety

When it comes to ensuring that a property is accessible and safe for people with a wide range of mobility needs it’s important to consider every room. In particular, you need to consider the unique challenges and concerns associated with it. For the bathroom, everything is centered around the bath or shower. Getting in and out of the bath or shower is one of the biggest challenges for anyone with mobility issues — and providing comfortable and accessible solutions is vital. 

Why Is Bath and Shower Safety Important? First and foremost — being able to bathe in comfort is a necessity for everyone. This makes bath and shower safety one of the first things that must be taken care of if you or someone living at your property has mobility needs. But beyond that, there are a few key areas that reinforce just how important bath and shower safety is. 

5 Reasons Why You Should Buy An Electric Scooter

Man in electric scooter next to trees

Electric scooters have the potential to transform lives—providing mobility, stability, and a newfound sense of freedom that lets people live their lives to the fullest every day. And, with the latest advancements in mobility technology now available there’s never been a better time to buy an electric scooter! Still need convincing? Here are 5 reasons why you should buy an electric scooter:

How To Ensure Your Home Is Wheelchair Accessible

Living room with hardwood floors

For most properties, ensuring comfortable wheelchair accessibility will require a degree of renovation and customization — therefore it’s vital that you take the time to check that your property has the right measures put in place to make it accessible to people, no matter what their mobility needs.

It can be hard to figure out where to start, and what needs to be done. That’s why we’ve compiled this short guide telling you what you need to know in order to ensure that your home is wheelchair accessible. We provide a variety of tools and equipment to help ensure that a home is as accessible as possible.

Our Guide To Skin Breakdown Prevention

Man in wheelchair

For anyone who spends a significant amount of time in a bed or wheelchair, skin breakdown can be a serious problem. Once the onset of skin breakdown has started it can escalate, and spread, quickly - this makes preventative measure vitally important. Depending on your individual needs and circumstances, there are a range of measures that can be taken to help prevent skin breakdown. Should you need treatment a prompt and decisive response can help to prevent the spread and escalation while offering relief from the symptoms of skin breakdown. 

Aids To Daily Living

There are aids designed to ensure your daily life is safer and easier for you, all while allowing you to maintain your independence. Concern over whether or not they will be able to carry on living in their own home is usually one of the first things we hear from our customers. This is often complicated by the change in mobility and needs that comes with aging.

Thankfully, there are a wide variety of products that are made specifically for these circumstances, and we can help you find exactly what you need in order to make your daily routine easier.

Knee & Hip Surgery Checklist

A-P X-ray of a complete hip replacement. Photo credit the American National Institutes of Health on Wikimedia.

Hip replacement and knee replacement surgery are some of the most common surgeries performed in Canada. While recovery times vary for everyone, the majority of patients take from 6 to 8 weeks to recover fully.

During that time period, you'll need a few things to help keep you mobile, safe, and supported. We've put together a list of some of the most common equipment needed by those recovering from hip and knee surgeries. For the most part, both kinds of surgeries require the same items, with only a few exceptions.

Battery Care For Wheelchairs & Mobility Scooters

Mobility scooter users at the Australia Zoo. Photo credit @Phasmatisnox on Wikimedia.

When people are first introduced to their medical equipment, the proper daily use and care of your wheelchair or mobility scooter is something that's often overlooked. There are some very specific steps to follow, especially with new batteries, in order to optimize your battery's life.

Here are some tips and tricks to make sure you are getting the most your of your mobility scooter's or electric wheelchair's battery.

Working With Occupational Therapists

Occupational Therapists review the Activities of Daily Living Simulation Suite at the University of Salford. Photo credit @salforduniversity on Flickr.

One of the most common things we hear from our customers is, "I just don’t even know where to start!"

Disability can be very overwhelming for yourself and loved ones. You want to live in your own home for as long as possible, but you also want to be safe and secure. Occupational therapists are there to make that happen for you.

An occupational therapist is trained to assess your abilities, disabilities, home and environment, and your personal specific needs. And don't worry, this can all be done free of charge!

Get Started With Urban Poling

A couple using Nordic walking poles on a city sidewalk. Photo credit Tsippendale on Pixabay.

More and more doctors, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists are starting to prescribe and recommend walking poles! Studies show that using walking poles is not only good for physical recovery, but also good for balance, confidence, and your overall health.

Island Mediquip carries poles from Urban Poling, a Canadian-owned and -operated company dedicated to not only providing quality poles, but also educating people on how to use them to optimize their health. Urban Poling offers two varieties of walking poles, both offering different health benefits.

How To Choose A Mobility Scooter

Shoprider 778 EL Cobra Scooter

Motorized mobility scooters are a great way to keep your independence and continue to have an active, fulfilling life. Whether you had to give up your drivers license for medical reasons, or simply decided that you don't want to drive your car much anymore, scooters are a great option for getting around. They give you the freedom to head out for coffee with friends, get the groceries, hit the golf course, or enjoy some of the beautiful scenery around us.

Buying a scooter may seem like an easy, straightforward purchase, but there are a few things to take into consideration when looking at the many options that are available to you.

Residential Stair Lifts

Handicare Curved 2000 Stairlift

Our homes are our sanctuaries. We spend a majority of our lives working for them and making them a place of comfort and security. So when we get older and our mobility starts to decline, the thought that we may have to leave our home is often very scary. It is one of the most difficult decisions to make for a lot of people. While your head might understand that by staying in your home you're putting yourself at risk every time you need to use the stairs, the idea and feeling of leaving a place of comfort is overwhelming.

Thankfully, there's an option that can help keep you safe while still living in the home you love: Stairlifts.

Hospital Beds For Home Care

Rotec Multi-Position Homecare Bed

Purchasing an adjustable hospital bed can be a great way to make it possible for your loved one to continue living at home instead of moving into a facility. The versatility of a home care bed can make it easier for nurses to properly and safely care for your family member, while keeping your loved one as comfortable as possible, regardless of whether they're sleeping or sitting.

Home-use hospital beds, also known as home care beds, universal beds, medical beds, or nursing beds, come in a few different styles that suit different users. Learn more about them.

MS Society of Canada: Support With More Than Money!

The MS Society of Canada was founded in 1948 to provide support and services to those suffering from multiple sclerosis. They also raise funding for MS cure and prevention research. Communities all across Canada come together once a year for the MS Walk, MS Bike, and MS Golf, as well as I Challenge MS and Women Against MS, raising awareness of the disease and collecting donations to help and support those affected by it. Their website is also a great way to send in a monetary donation at any time of the year.

But did you know that financial donations aren’t the only way you can help?

How To Choose A Walker

Piper Rollator

We often have customers come into our store looking to purchase a walker for a loved one. While this in itself is wonderful, we can't help choose the right walker for your loved one without having them test it in person. Here are only a few of the things we need to take into consideration when helping you choose a walker that is both safe and comfortable:

Wishes for Wheels by Motion Concepts

Red Dot-winning medical equipment manufacturer Motion Composites has launched a program called Wishes for Wheels, where they give away one free manual wheelchair every quarter this year! The program is open to residents of Canada and the US, and you do not need to meet any financial qualifications or submit any proof of income to participate — you can apply no matter what your financial means are. Learn more!

Registered Disability Savings Plan

Credit @teegardin on Flickr.

The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a federal tax-deferred savings program. The plan helps parents of disabled dependents increase their savings for long-term financial security, but is highly under-utilized, primarily because most branch-level financial institutions don't have enough information about it.

This is very unfortunate, as the money in an RDSP can really add up if it is used to its full potential. Learn more about the details here.

Lift Chairs – Not One Size Fits All

It's a common misconception that picking a lift chair is just as easy as picking a new sofa: You choose a style, a color that you like, and you're done.

Not so fast!

Although style and color are important features of your lift chair, there are many other equally important aspects to take into consideration — after all, your health and comfort is at stake! So we've decided to break down the main features you should be taking a look at when choosing a lift chair.

Grab Bar Installations – Not Always So Easy, But Well Worth It

It may be well worth your time to consider installing grab bar in your bathroom area for safety and security when entering or exiting showers or getting up off a toilet.  Many options are available, however grab bars that are permanently secured into the wall will always allow for the most stable solution.