Archives 2018

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!

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.

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.

Did you know that Island Mediquip carries a variety of posture pillows? We want to make sure that you're as comfortable as you can be — whether you're looking for a good night's rest, have problems with snoring or sleep apnea, or have lower back problems, we have something that can help!

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.

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.

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?

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:

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!

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.

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.