FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM FEBRUARY 13, 2020 • SENIOR LIVING • THE QUEENS COURIER 43
Create an accessible lifestyle
If you’re like the majority of the population,
mobility is something you take for
granted. However, once you or a loved
one encounters an illness or disability that
results in dependence on a wheelchair, your
perspective is likely to change dramatically.
Mobility is a major factor in a person’s
independence, but when illness or injury
hinders free movement, even a simple task
like running to the store becomes a challenge.
Fortunately, there are numerous options you
can explore to improve mobility and accessibility
if you or a loved one becomes reliant on
a wheelchair or other assisted mobility.
Ramps in place of stairs
Safety is a primary concern for someone
whose mobility is limited. Even minor falls
can cause signifi cant injuries, particularly
for seniors whose bones tend to be more
fragile. When a loved one begins experiencing
trouble with the steps, a ramp is a good
solution. In fact, ramps aren’t just for those
who are reliant on a wheelchair or other
motorized device like a scooter. Th ey are
also a good solution for someone who uses
a cane or walker, or someone who experiences
pain or diffi culty maintaining balance
on the stairs.
Accessible vehicles
and parking
Getting out of the house is an
important way to help someone
whose mobility is compromised
continue to feel connected to the
larger world, and practically speaking,
even if they’re not physically up
to social engagements, chances are
that doctor’s appointments will still
be a necessity. However, parking
limitations cause major challenges
for wheelchair users.
Not only is getting in and out
of the vehicle a chore, 74 percent
of people have personally seen a
handicap accessible parking space
being improperly used, according
to a survey by BraunAbility. As
a leading manufacturer of wheelchair
accessible vehicles and wheelchair
lift s, its Save My Spot campaign
works to educate the public
about the meaning and importance
of handicap accessible parking.
In addition to understanding
and educating others about the
proper usage of handicap accessible
parking, chair users may benefi t from
wheelchair accessible vehicles that provide
maximum maneuverability, such as the
BraunAbility Pacifi ca, which delivers the
most interior cabin space and widest doorway
and ramp for ease of entry and exit.
Hand rails and grab bars
Hand rails add another measure of safety
in the home. Th ey can add stability and support
on staircases, ramps and other walkways,
but they’re also benefi cial in areas
like the bathroom. A rail or grab bar near
the toilet can help steady someone raising
or lowering to use the facilities. Similarly,
rails in or adjacent to the shower can assist
with safe transitions into and out of the
stall. Remember to follow all manufacturer
instructions for installing rails to ensure
they provide adequate support and can bear
the weight of the user.
Bathroom modifi cations
Proper hygiene goes a long way toward
promoting overall wellness and independence,
but a person with limited mobility
may struggle using the features of a standard
bathroom. In addition to safety rails
and grab bars, devices such as shower stools
and raised toilet seats can provide needed
support. Depending on your circumstances,
it may be necessary
to consider renovations to include
a roll-in tub or seated shower and
a vanity with a counter at an accessible
height.
Wider doors and hallways
While it’s not always possible
to widen doors and hallways, this
is an important consideration for
someone who is heavily reliant
on a wheelchair or other motorized
device. If the chair can’t clear
hallways and maneuver around
corners, a person’s access to the
home is severely limited, sometimes
to the point of needing to
fi nd new housing accommodations.
When considering whether
the doors and hallways will meet
your needs, remember to take into
account any accessories or equipment,
such as an oxygen tank, that
may aff ect the chair’s turn radius.
Find more ideas to promote
independence and mobility at
braunability.com/savemyspot.
— Courtesy of Family Features
senior living
Five facts about
handicapaccessible
parking
Handicap-accessible parking
plays a critical role in giving
chair users independence and
mobility, making it important to
understand the rules of the parking
lot. To bring awareness to the
challenges wheelchair users face,
BraunAbility off ers these reminders:
1. Th e striped lines next to a
handicap-accessible parking space
indicate it is reserved for a wheelchair
accessible vehicle. Th ese
spaces are wider than regular
handicap accessible parking spaces,
off ering room for people to
safely lower a ramp and enter and
exit their vehicles.
2. Th ere is a diff erence between
handicap accessible parking for
cars and wheelchair-accessible
vans. When the parking sign says,
“Accessible Vans,” it is reserved
for wheelchair-accessible vehicles
only. Van accessible spaces are easily
identifi ed by a striped access
aisle on the passenger side.
3. Some people have hidden disabilities,
and it may not be visibly
apparent that they need a handicap
accessible spot. Not all people
who require handicap parking
access are reliant on wheelchairs.
Th ese spots are also intended for
use by people with disabilities such
as deafness or a recent injury.
4. Businesses are required to
meet a quota for handicap accessible
spots. Th e number of handicap
accessible parking spaces required
depends on the total number of
parking spaces in the lot, but at
least one in every six handicap
accessible spaces must be designated
for a wheelchair accessible
vehicle, according to the American
Disabilities Act.
5. Wheelchairs continue to
increase in size, requiring more
room to maneuver in and out of
vehicles, and therefore need extra
space in a parking spot for the
wheelchair user to safely access a
fully deployed ramp.
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