Mobility Supplies Blog

Winter is a particularly difficult time of year for everyone, but particularly for senior citizens.
As the temperatures drop and the nights draw in the likelihood of accidents and injuries increase.

You may find the following information useful.

A guide has been produced to help the elderly stay safe and avoid accidents during winter and here are just three of their tips:

1) Not to walk on icy/snowy paths – instead look for routes which are dry or have been cleared

2) Wall mounted heaters are preferable to portable ones as they do not pose a tripping hazard

3) Replace old slippers and canes as these can become worn out and smooth, offering little protection to winter conditions

For more information on preventing accidents please click here

Another elderly person joke from a customer.
Enjoy!

A woman went to the doctor’s office where she was seen by one of the younger doctors. After about four minutes in the examination room, she burst out screaming as she ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was, and she told him her story.

After listening, he had her sit down and relax in another room. The older doctor marched down the hallway back to where the young doctor was writing on his clipboard.

“What’s the matter with you?” the older doctor demanded. “Mrs. Terry is 71 years old, has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?”

The younger doctor continued writing and without looking up said,

“Does she still have the hiccups?”

Firstly a happy Easter to all my readers, the daffs are out and spring is here (almost).
Now is the time of year to drag your mobility scooters out of hibernation.
Hopefully you kept the batteries charged every week or so whilst not in use.
If you didn’t it’s highly likely that you will need new ones and they aren’t cheap.
We have just been advised of another 5.5% price increase due to the dollar value and the cost of lead.
So my advice to anybody thinking of buying a scooter or mobility product that is imported (and most products are) is buy them as soon as possible.
It does not make sense to leave your cash in the bank or building society at 0.5% interest per year when stuff you need is going up by at least 5% plus every few months. Have a look at some of our products here or give us a call as we have loads of bargains at the moment.
Let’s hope for some sun so we can all get some well earned enjoyment in the summer months.

Jacob, age 92, and Rebecca, age 89, living in Slough, are all excited about their decision to get married.
They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding, and on the way they pass the chemist’s shop. Jacob suggests they go in.

Jacob asks the man behind the counter: “Are you the owner?”

The pharmacist answers, “Yes.”

Jacob: “We’re about to get married. Do you sell heart medication?”

Pharmacist: “Of course we do.”

Jacob: “How about medicine for circulation?”

Pharmacist: “All kinds ”

Jacob: “Medicine for rheumatism?”

Pharmacist: “Definitely.”

Jacob: “How about suppositories?”

Pharmacist: “You bet!”

Jacob: “Medicine for memory problems, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s?”

Pharmacist: “Yes, a large variety. The works.”

Jacob: “What about vitamins, sleeping pills and antidotes for
Parkinson’s disease?”

Pharmacist: “Absolutely..”

Jacob: “Everything for heartburn and indigestion?”

Pharmacist: “We sure do.”

Jacob: “You sell scooters,wheelchairs, walkers and canes?”

Pharmacist: “All types and sizes.”

Jacob: “Adult incontinence pants?”

Pharmacist: “Sure.”

Jacob: “Can we use you pharmacy for our wedding presents list…”

Or of course they could use MobilitySupplies.Com too!!!

Great News!
Age Concern (Slough and Berkshire East) have formed a joint venture with Mobility Supplies.Com Ltd.
We now have a huge showroom facility within their 12000 sq feet Used Furniture Warehouse.
The address is 1 Banbury Avenue, Slough Trading Estate, Slough, Berks SL1 4LH.
Its open every day too from 10 till 5 and Sundays from 11 till 4.

We operate a advice surgery there every Wednesday between 11.30 and 2.30 and other times by appointment.

We have a huge indoor area where customers can try out scooters and power chairs, adjustable beds, rise and recline chairs, wheelchairs and bathlifts. This is a new and revolutionary development in mobility retailing. Every sale made there directly benefits Age Concerns funds, so why shop elsewhere?

We have some great prices and many special clearance offers, on behalf of manufacturers and distributors.
Our service and friendly advice is second to none so give us a call on 01753 620560 and let us help you.
We supply just about everything from walking stick ferrules to beds.

Come along and have a look, theres lots of secondhand mobility equipment and furniture bargains there too!

Happy 2010 to all my readers.
If you are in the market for any item of Mobility Equipment then I may have something to interest you.
Just before Christmas I was able to purchase a job lot of products from a Company that was closing down.
So if you need anything and you live in the UK get in touch quickly.
I am starting to post things on E-Bay as I need to clear the space fairly quickly.
E-Mail me at mobilitysupplies@gmail.com and let me know what you need or call 01753 620560.
Most things are half price or less.

Stairlifts can be rented as well as purchased.
We regularly get people asking about stair lift rental and whilst it is a good solution for many it is not always right for the customer.
We often get enquiries at Christmas, for example, when family members are coming to stay for just a few days, generally the rental solution does not fit the bill for this situation.

If you are thinking of renting let me outline the process.
Firstly a surveyor needs to come and measure up and price the installation.
Now the lift has to be manufactured, delivered and installed.
These first two items (together with removal at end of hire period) represent the bulk of the cost for the supplier. So in almost every case I have come across this will be paid for by an initial payment, then followed by monthly rental payments.
This is quite quick for a basic straight run stairlift. However a curved stair lift will take a couple of weeks or so to get made and installed.

Remember too that when the lift is removed there will be holes through the stair carpet where the rail is fixed and these may show after removal.
My opinion is that rental is generally an economic proposition for a period of up to two years, beyond that purchasing is probably a cheaper alternative.

As a rough guide expect an initial payment of around £600 to £700 for a straight stair lift & £1000 to £1400 for a curved stairlift.
Monthly rental figures are around £60 to £80 for straight and £150 to £180 for curved.
Remember this rental should also includes servicing and emergency call outs.
Be sure you use a reliable Company with a proper 24 hour call out service.
We have found Stannah offer an excellent all round service and highly recommend them.
There are of course other good Companies around but we have found generally the smaller local Companies do not have the resources to provide adequate cover in this respect. So we would always suggest a larger national Company.

If you need any further advice give Alan or Jeanne a call on 01753 620560 to discus what is best for you.
Alternativelly fill out the enquiry form here

If you live within our personal service area i.e 20 miles radius from Windsor, Berks. then just contact us for an appointment and we will do everything for you.
However we are getting many requests from outside that area to take advantage of our high quality, low priced bespoke chair service. To get the best service please use the following guides to ensure a suitable fit for you in your chair.
1. First sit, if possible, on a simple kitchen or dining chair and get another person to measure you and note the required sizes for you (inches are preferable but centimetres are OK too).
2.Knee to floor dimension. Measure the seat height required, by measuring from the inside bend of your knee to the floor.
3.Seat depth dimension. Measure depth of chair required, this is from base of spine to the bend of the knee. We will reduce this slightly so as to ensure you are able to sit right back in the chair. so please give the full dimension with no adjustment.
4.Seat to shoulder dimension. Measure the height from the chair seat to your shoulders.
5. Seat to top of head dimension. Measure the height from your chair seat to the top of your head.
6. Arm height. Now sit in a comfortable arm chair (if possible) and measure the height you require the arms to be from the seat height ( minimum will be 5 inches due to technical reasons).
7. Seat width. Measure the seat width you require between the arms, we suggest you do not make it too tight nor too wide. It is personal preference but for most customers 2 to 3 inches wider than the hips seems about right.
8. Extended leg length. As a double check please measure (only if possible without a struggle) from base of spine to the top of your shoe or slipper, with your legs extended out straight.
Finally please give us your approximate weight (stones, pounds or kilos are fine) and your overall height when standing upright.
Also please list any special requirements or health issues you have, in particular if you have poor dexterity in one or both hands, back problems etc.
If you have difficulty or pain when trying to straighten your knee we recommend a dual motor chair, as the back can be moved completely independently of the leg section.
If in any doubt on the measurements, which chair is best for you, or any other point please do not hesitate to ask for our advice.

I have just quoted for a chair to an 89 year old lady, who had a salesman from Willowbrook round.
He quoted her over £5800 for a rise and recline chair in leather!
That is scandalous in my opinion and typical of many of the direct sale Companies.
Buy one get one free, £350 part exchange, Buy a bed and get a chair offers etc are very rarely good value.
Also take with a pinch of salt the sales pitch that the massage system is extra special or a model is exclusive to them.
Most times ( but not always) the chairs are exactly the same, or very nearly, as a standard production chair.
Anyway we are supplying this lady with a chair in fabric (which I find preferable to leather for sitting in a chair for long periods).
It has pressure relieving cushioning and is being made to measure for her at about 25% of the price they quoted her.
Our delivery is considerably quicker too.
Needless to say, she is delighted.
You have been warned, don’t get pressurised into paying too much for what you need.

If you need help and advice on aids for walking you will find it here shortly.
In the meantime call Alan or Jeanne on 01753 620560