Tag: wheelchairs

Naidex 2016 O’Sullivans Mobility Aids

Hello guys, we’ve been busy recently expanding our range of products. This week we visited the National Events Centre (NEC) in  Birmingham. The NEC hosts  NAIDEX 2016, the largest mobility and living aid conference in the UK. Naidex is the UK’s largest disability, rehabilitation and homecare event with over 200 exhibitors showcasing their products to more than 9,000 visitors. The event is at the forefront of innovation and as the industry evolves, staying up-to-date has never been more important.

We saw some amazing products including new wheelchairs, profiling beds, power chairs among some other exciting products. In addition, there was a variety of talks from leading healthcare professionals, OT’s, Physios who spoke on the developments in power chairs, wheelchairs, mobility scooters and telecare for those with poor mobility. Here’s a video of the shows highlights.

Exoskeleton

One particularly interesting product we saw was the Exoskeleton from ReWalk Robotics Argo Medical Technologies. A Technology which enables Spinal Cord Injured to Walk Again. ReWalk  is  a  wearable  robotic  exoskeleton  that provides  powered  hip  and  knee  motion  to  enable individuals  with    spinal  cord  injury  to  stand upright,  walk,  turn,  and  climb  and  descend  stairs. The  system  allows  independent,  controlled walking  while  mimicking  the  natural  gait  pattern of  the legs.

ReWalk Personal 6.0
The  new  ReWalk  Personal  6.0  System  is  designed for  all  day  use  at  home  and  in  the  community. It is the most customizable exoskeleton and configured specifically for each user. This precise fit optimizes safety, function and joint alignment.

Check out more from our trip to Naidex 2016 on our social media accounts as well as in a follow up blog.

We’ll be covering wheelchairs, profiling beds and mobility scooters in future demonstrations.

 

Tips for wheelchair and Scooter Users

 

  1. Remove loose carpets and rugs. Especially if you have hardwood or tile floors, loose floor coverings can be a frustrating obstacle for wheelchairs and scooters. Removing them obviously doesn’t cost anything, and it can make a big difference in your ability to easily navigate your home.  Alternatively, an adhesive backing can be used to hold rugs in place.

 

  1. Move furniture to accommodate your mobility device. This seems obvious, but many people don’t know just how much room is needed for their mobility device.  As a general rule, arrange furniture to allow at least a 32-inch path and 5-foot turning radius.  Some furniture might need to be removed altogether to accommodate this.

 

  1. Tie strings to your door handles. To allow a wheelchair or scooter user to more easily pull a door closed while passing through doorways, add a 36-inch string to each door handle in your home.  This comes with little to no cost, and it makes a big difference.

 

  1. Raise your tables and desks. To bring some tables and desks to above knee level, it might be necessary to place furniture coasters or blocks of wood under their legs.  Whatever you use, just be sure the table or desk is sturdy and can’t easily be knocked off its footings when you’re done.

 

  1. Spruce up your device! One thing that can be challenging to get used to when first using a mobility device is the difficulty in carrying items and manoeuvring at the same time.  To help with this, equip your wheelchair or scooter with accessories to help carry everything from books and clothes, to drinks and medical necessities.

 

 

So, there you go! Some changes that will make a huge difference in your ability to get around your home in a wheelchair or scooter, that won’t break the bank or cause a lot of disruption.  As always, if you have questions about equipment you have purchased or are considering, contact the team at O’Sullivans Mobility Aids.

Looking after your wheelchair

Whether you use your wheelchair occasionally or on a regular basis, maintenance and appropriate use are key factors to ensure you get the most out of your wheelchair!

Here we present some common tips for maximizing the potential and safety for wheelchair users!

  • We recommend you always consult your healthcare professional for advice about transferring to and from the wheelchair. Poor transfers can lead to harm to you and your wheelchair as well as distress to your carer.
  • Use slow speeds on gradients and do not exceed the maximum gradient stated in users manual. Never reverse down a gradient.
  • Balance is key! Wheelchairs are for only suitable for single occupancy as much as you might like to have an enfant on your lap.Users should not move their centre of gravity out of the seating area.
  • Keep your feet on the footplates when moving and avoid standing on footplates. Do not use escalators.
  • Do not reach for items further than your arm will extend. Be aware of hazards in your environment, such as narrow doorways, steps, household appliances, children’s toys, etc.
  • The parking brakes should always be applied when transferring. Ensure that fingers and objects do not get caught in the spokes of the rear wheels.

Maintenance

  • Wipe down frame with a damp cloth at least once a week. If exposed to moisture dry immediately. Metal (steel chair) parts of the chair can be polished once a month with an auto wax.
  • Before each use of the wheelchair, the brakes and tyres should be checked. If there is any side play, loosen nut and retighten axle just enough to remove any side play.
  • Solid Rubber tyres require little upkeep bar an occasional clean with a damp cloth. Worn or cracked tyres need immediate replacement.
  • The wheelchair should be stored in a dry environment, away from direct sunlight.
  • When in storage the wheelchair can be folded up The wheelchair should be kept clean and d
    ust free. This can be done with a duster or damp cloth.

If you have any other technical queries, consult the user manual provided with your wheelchair or give us a ring on 025 24656 or email [email protected]

 

Celebrating International Wheelchair Day At O’Sullivans Mobility Aids

In celebration of the 8th Annual International Wheelchair Day, we’re giving a special 10% discount off of all wheelchairs and rollators purchased online during the first week of March! Drop us an email at [email protected] to get your unique discount code!

wheelchair day

International Wheelchair Day was first launched by Steve “Wheelchair Steve” Wilkinson on 1st March 2008.

The 1st March was chosen to commemorate the birthday of his late mother, Joyce, who did so much to help him cope through childhood with the life challenges presented to him after being born with Spina Bifida in 1953.

So what exactly is International Wheelchair Day?

– It’s a day when wheelchair users celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has had in their lives.

-It’s a day to celebrate the great work of the many millions of people who provide wheelchairs, who provide support and care for wheelchair users and who make the World a better and more accessible place for people with mobility issues.

-It’s also a day to acknowledge and react constructively to the fact there are many tens of millions of people in the World who need a wheelchair, but are unable to acquire one.

If you are looking to purchase a wheelchair, we highly recommend you read our recent blog post where we discuss wheelchair fitting.

With our headquarters in Cork, we are Ireland’s leading provider of high quality and most affordable wheelchairs. We would be delighted to assist you on your journey. We also offer next day FREE DELIVERY on all in stock wheelchairs, nationwide. You can check out our range of wheelchairs and accessories here. Alternatively, visit our main store at http://www.osullivansaids.ie