Senior Safety Tips

Safety Tips for Using a Stair Lift

May 4, 2014 By Susan Hackett

Compact, comfortable, efficient, and easy-to-use, stair lifts make ascending and descending stairs safer for the elderly and physically disabled. While stair lifts are safe so long as they are well-maintained and used with care, there are several proper handling techniques and safety measures with which you should be familiar to make using your stair lift as safe as it can possibly be.

Choose a Stairlift with State-of-the-Art Safety Features
To an extent, stair lift safety is dependent on the lift you choose. Install a stairlift that meets all safety standards, is equipped with state-of-the-art safety assistance technology, and is equipped with a swivel chair seat to ensure your safety and that of others who use the lift.

Keep Unattended Children Away
Ensure that unsupervised children do not have access to your stair lift through child-proofing or other means. If you deem it necessary, you may even want to consider a key-activated stair lift.

Invest In a Power Generator
A power outage does not always stop you from having to go downstairs. In order to ensure that you have access to all levels of your home even when the power is out, install a power generator on your property.

Mount and Dismount with Care
Use caution whenever you are sitting on and getting up from your stair lift’s seat. Always wear your seatbelt, and follow all the directions that are outlined in your owner’s manual.

Would you like to have a warranty-backed state-of-the-art stair lift installed in your home? To speak with a representative from a stairway and wheelchair lift manufacturer with more than 60 years’ experience, call Williams Lift Company today at (908) 322-7070. If quality and value are important to you, then we have the perfect stairway lift for you. To learn more about our products, visit us on the Web.

A Look at Wheelchair Safety

September 7, 2013 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Wheelchairs give their owners great independence and mobility freedom. For the most part, wheelchairs are safe and reliable devices that make it easier to move from point A to point B in a home, office, shopping center, hotel, or pretty much anywhere. Wheelchairs can even help people participate in many sports that traditionally require full mobility of both legs. There are, however, a few safety rules that all wheelchair users should commit to memory

Lock Wheels When Getting into Wheelchair
For smoother chair entry, lock your wheels before sitting down. This will keep your chair from moving underneath you as you try to settle into it.

Use Seat Belts and Footrests
Not only do seat belts help keep you in your chair when you encounter unexpected bumps—they also promote a healthy and balanced posture while you ride. Footrests are designed to keep riders’ feet out of harm’s way, and using them can further improve rider comfort.

Moving Vehicle Transport Safety
To keep your wheelchair from sliding, it is essential that your chair is securely strapped to the floor whenever you are in a moving vehicle. Vehicle occupant restraints should also be used to prevent ejection in the case of impact.

Power Off When Not Moving
If you have a power wheelchair, turn it off whenever you are not moving. Even if you are just stopping to say “hi” to a friend you passed on the sidewalk, you could inadvertently bump the control panel and set your chair in motion if the power is still on.

Regardless of whether your mobility is impaired temporarily or permanently, you should familiarize yourself with the basics of wheelchair safety before you start using your chair. If you wish to make your home or office easy to maneuver with the installation of wheelchair lifts or ramps, Williams Lift Company can help. Call (908) 322-7070 to speak with a supplier of wheelchair lifts and handicap ramps today.

How to Use a Walker with One Leg

September 6, 2013 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

If you have had a leg amputated, you may need to use a walker to move around as you wait for a prosthetic. To avoid further injury while using your walker, you will need to learn how to safely stand up and move around with this new mobility device. Developing these techniques early will help you feel more comfortable using your stomach, thighs, and arm muscles to get around.

To stand up, first you need to place the walker in front of you with your body centered in its frame. Next, bend forward at your hips and rest your hands on the armrest of your chair. Keep your amputated leg slightly forward as you use the muscles throughout your stomach, thighs, and arms to lift yourself upright. When you begin walking, keep your body centered in the walker frame with your weight evenly balanced between your hands and leg. This will help you push the walker ahead and gently move your leg forward.

Williams Lift Company can help you understand how to use your new mobility device. To learn about our chair lifts, wheelchair lifts, and handicap ramps, call (908) 322-7070.

Home Safety for Seniors

August 30, 2013 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

As the child of an aging parent, it’s only natural to worry about your loved one’s safety in the comfort of his or her own home. Poor lighting, slippery surfaces, and overturned rugs can all pose a safety threat to your loved one’s wellbeing. For this reason, you need to make sure that your elderly loved one’s home is safe to navigate.

In this video, you will learn about the importance of preventing falls among older adults. As this video illustrates, falls among the elderly are a growing health concern, with most accidents occurring close to home. You can help prevent falls by ensuring your elderly loved one has the right mobility aids to navigate his or her house.

Call (908) 322-7070 to schedule a meeting with Williams Lift Company of New Jersey. We offer a range of mobility devises, including stair lifts and handicap ramps.

A Look at Rolling Walker Safety

August 24, 2013 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Walkers are great aids for helping people with osteoarthritis protect their joints as they move around. However, in order for someone to benefit from using a mobility aid, he or she must use it properly to achieve stability and balance. The key to knowing if you’re using your walker correctly is feeling comfortable as you use it to support yourself while standing and walking.
Starting at the right height
There are a variety of walker models available, including ones with rubber grips, wheels, hand brakes, and accessories. The only way to tell if one will be a good fit is by visiting a mobility aid store and discussing your options with the trained staff. Once you have found the right walker for you, you need to fit in a way that allows your elbows to feel comfortable and natural. If your walker is too low, you may find yourself hunching over while you use it.

Walking with your walker
To move with your walker, push it slightly ahead of you and then step inside. Continue this pattern to keep moving forward, but keep your eyes focused on the path ahead instead of on your feet. Just remember that you should never place your walker too far ahead, and you need to maintain excellent posture with each movement.

Sitting with your walker
When you’re ready to sit down, you should first stand with your back to the chair, with the back of your legs touching the chair. Next, you should shift your weight onto your stronger leg, sliding your weaker leg forward. Remove your hands from the walker and place them onto the arms of the chair. From here, you can slowly lower yourself into your seat.

For more information on using or selecting your new mobility device, contact Williams Lift Company of New Jersey at (908) 322-7070. Since 1947, we have helped our clients find the best mobility devices to suit their lifestyle needs. We pride ourselves on offering superior products and customer service.

An Overview of Falls Among Older Adults

July 29, 2013 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

If you or a loved one has experienced a dangerous fall, you are far from alone. Injuries resulting from falls among older adults leads to $30 billion in medical expenses every year. The key to preventing these costs and injuries is to understand how falls happen, and how to properly utilize lifts and ramps to make your home safer for seniors.

The Data on Falling
Falling among older adults and senior citizens has become a very serious problem in recent years. In 2010, emergency rooms treated more than 2.3 million nonfatal fall injuries, with over 662,000 of these patients requiring hospitalization. According to the CDC, one in three adults age 65 and older experience a fall that may result in moderate to severe injuries. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury death in this same age group, making falls one of the most significant and preventable causes of death in seniors.

Causes for Falling
Falls can be caused by a variety of factors, including the physical health of the individual and the medications they are taking. Another common cause of falls among seniors is an unsafe living environment. Tripping and falling hazards, long stairways, absence of ramps, and objects that can be tripped on can all make it difficult to navigate the home safely.

Solutions for Fall-Free Homes
While some of factors that lead to falling are uncontrollable, making the home safer for older adults can dramatically reduce the risk of falls. Installing accessibility equipment like handicap ramps, wheelchair lifts, and stairway or chair lifts can make moving through the home easier. Additionally, this equipment makes it possible for seniors to maintain a comfortable, independent lifestyle in their own home.

To learn more about making your home safer for older adults, contact Williams Lift Company. We specialize in the sale, rental, and installation of accessibility equipment, including stairway lifts, stair glides, stairway elevators, handicap ramps, and other tools to give seniors the safety and independence they want. Call (908) 322-7070 for more information.

Tips for Preventing Falls Among the Elderly

July 10, 2013 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Accidental falls are the most frequent cause of death and serious injury in people over 65 throughout the world. Researchers have recently discovered that most falls are not caused by tripping or slipping but by a temporary loss of balance. While 75% of seniors who fall regularly use a wheelchair, walker, or other handicap device to get around, only 20% of people were using these forms of assistance when they fell. Experts have concluded that a large part of keeping elderly individuals safe involved simply using such devices as wheelchair lifts, stair lifts, and handicap ramps when necessary rather than attempting to walk up stairs or in other challenging spaces.

Here at Williams Lift Company, our friendly New Jersey sales team offers a wide variety of stair lifts, chair lifts, handicap ramps, and more to help you or your senior loved ones get around safely. Find out more about our exclusive line of mobility aids that can accommodate all kinds of vehicles and homes by giving our New Jersey office a call at (908) 322-7070.

Tips for Preventing Falls Among the Elderly

July 7, 2013 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

From young children to adults, everyone occasionally trips, slips, or falls. But for elderly men and women, even a minor fall can result in serious lacerations, major head trauma, and broken or fractured bones. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury and death for Americans over the age of 65. You can keep yourself and your aging loved ones safe and healthy by reviewing these tips for preventing falls.

Remove Obstacles

The first step in fall prevention involves simply removing common household threats that may cause slips or falls. Be sure to move electrical cords, coffee tables, and plant stands from high-traffic areas. Secure any loose rugs with slip-resistant backing, or consider removing throw rugs from the home altogether. Finally, always store food, dishes, clothing, and other daily necessities within easy reach.

Consult a Physician

If you or an elderly loved one has tripped or fallen down the stairs, it may be time to visit your doctor. Some prescription medicines have side effects that can increase your risk of falling, and health conditions such as arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease commonly lead to falls on stairways or other high-risk areas. Many physicians also advise light physical activities such as walking or tai chi to increase strength and balance.

Seek Assistance

If you already use a wheelchair or walker, consider installing a stairway lift inside your home and adding a chair lift for easy access to your vehicle. Many elderly men and women also benefit from bathroom mobility aids such as raised toilet seats, shower grab bars, shower chairs, and tub safety rails. You should also install hand rails on both sides of the stairways for extra protection.

Williams Lift Company is a family-owned and operated company, and our friendly staff takes pride in providing personalized service for each and every New Jersey customer. When you need to purchase, rent, or install a stairway lift, handicap ramp, or wheelchair lift, give our office a call at (908) 322-7070. Our healthcare sales team can help you select the stair lift, scooter, or medical supplies you need to ensure your senior loved ones’ safety and independence.

Common Causes of Elderly Falls

July 2, 2013 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Injuries from falls are the leading cause of death for senior citizens in the United States. As doctor Alicia Arbaje reports in this video, one out of three older adults falls each year, and one out of two Americans over age 75 fall. Falls usually result from chronic health issues or environmental factors, or are the side effects of prescription medications. The best way to prevent falls is to make home travel easier by investing in stair lifts, chair lifts and glides, and threshold ramps.

Williams Lift Company has served New Jersey residents from Morris County, Somerset County, and Middlesex County for more than 60 years. You can learn more about our mobility aids, handicap ramps, and other products by calling (908) 322-7070 or by visiting our website today.

Reasons to Invest in Bathroom Aids

June 28, 2013 By Susan Hackett Leave a Comment

Bathrooms can be difficult to navigate for seniors and those with disabilities. The wet surfaces and loose throw rugs present a tripping hazard, and those in wheelchairs often find it challenging to move around bathrooms. With a few modifications, however, your bathroom can be made safer and more navigable, even for those in wheelchairs. Here are a few of the reasons why you should invest in bathroom aids:

Increased Convenience

Bathroom aids can make personal hygiene requirements much easier to deal with. For example, by installing a raised toilet seat, those with limited mobility can take care of their own bathroom needs. Those in a wheelchair may be able to raise and lower themselves more easily.

Better Safety

By investing in bathroom aids like toilet safety frame bars and safety rails, you’re ensuring the safety of those with limited mobility. These prevention measures can reduce the risk of falls and serious injuries. Among those who are 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injuries and death, and the most common reason for hospital admissions. Hip fractures, head trauma, and lacerations are common injuries sustained in a fall, and these injuries can reduce a person’s mobility even further.

Enhanced Independence

Devices like stair lifts and chair lifts can increase a person’s independence, but so too can bathroom aids. Using devices like shower chairs and hand-held shower heads can eliminate the need for a caregiver in some cases. This improves a person’s independence and helps protect his or her modesty.

Improved Hygiene

Some seniors and those with disabilities might delay bathing and other personal hygiene activities because they’re worried about falling in the bathroom. The use of bathroom aids like wall grab bars reduces the risk of injuries so that those with limited mobility can maintain their personal hygiene routines.

Williams Lift Company proudly offers a top-of-the-line range of bathroom aids, including safety rails, grab bars, and raised toilet seats. Improve the safety of your household today. Give us a call at 908-322-7070 to learn more about our products and services, which also include chair lifts, stairway lifts, and handicap ramps.

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