ActiveForever Launches "Dear Erika, Gadget Gal Column"

by Tue, April 24 2012 08:42

“My wife is confned to a wheelchair and we’d like to take a cruise but
the thought of having to deal with a heavy full wheelchair as well as
a transport chair is discouraging us from making any vacation plans. 
Can you help?” -Fred from Orlando

Dear Fred, Bravo to you and your wife for 
traveling!  We found the best wheelchair in the
world that solves this very issue – the Pollywog!  
It transforms from being the lightest full 
wheelchair of its kind to being the lightest
transport wheelchair.  You simply push a button 
and remove the big wheels. Tere’s nothing 
like this out there!  You’ll love it.


“I have a low vision problem that makes it very difcult to read the
program when I go to the opera, or to read a menu.  Do you have 
anything that might help me?” - Maurice from NYC

Dear Maurice, You are going to
LOVE this!  The iBeam watch has a
built in 3x magnifer.  The magnifer
fips up at the touch of a button, and
another button activates a very strong
fashlight.  I own one and it works 
great!  Tere are many diferent styles
for men and women!


“This interactive column is 
designed to make life easier and
safer for healthcare professionals,
patients and caregivers,” said Erika
Feinberg, Chief Happiness Officer
of ActiveForever.  “We encourage
everyone to send us their questions.
The Dear Erika, Gadget Gal 
column will feature detailed 
answers, and pictures of the 
products that will best serve the
purpose of solving the problem.”


About ActiveForever

Whether by phone, via the internet or a virtual visit to the ActiveForever Discovery Center store in Scottsdale, Arizona, these
are just a few of the hundreds of questions received by ActiveForever on a daily basis.  Customers, who are experiencing a
short-term injury, long-term disability or just need help with relieving a physical discomfort at home or in the workplace, 
all have questions about what products they need to make it easier for them to maintain their independence.


ActiveForever ofers a variety of medical and health-related products for: ftness and physical therapy; hot and cold therapy;
electrotherapy; orthopedics; bed and relaxation; bath safety and hygiene; kitchen, home and garden aids; independent living;
mobility aids; patient transfer; erectile dysfunction; diabetic supplies; low vision and hearing aids; medical alerts; writing tools;
and ergonomic aids.

For more information or to receive a catalog, contact ActiveForever at 1.800.377.8033 or visit www.ActiveForever.com


The Better Mobility Aid – Rollator or Walker?

by ActiveForever Wed, February 09 2011 07:07

Mobility aids help people with mobility issues remain ambulatory; mobility is key to independent living. Options for mobility aids include wide varieties of walking aids, wheelchairs, scooters, and more. Upon entering the world of mobility aids (for yourself or a loved one with mobility issues) the numerous options can be overwhelming. Among walking aids there are two main types which frequently cause the most confusion: rollators and walkers. Which aid for walking is better?

We understand how frustrating it can be to want the best daily living aids, but have absolutely no idea what those might be. The defining feature of a walker is that the walker must be lifted up, pushed forward, and then set down again every time the user steps forward. These movements can be cumbersome for some users so rollators have more efficient movements, but walkers (usually built with aluminum supports) are less expensive, and offer more support to the user.

Ideal mobility aids for elderly or those with mobility issues who are easily fatigued, rollators offer superior ease of use. Additional features such as a seat, wheels, basket, brakes, and more are usually available on a rollator, and some view rollators as more stylish than walkers. The majority of rollators on the market today are 3 wheel rollators and 4 wheel rollators. Three wheeled rollators are usually smaller, and ideal to use (and maneuver) in tight spaces (so great for in-home use). Four wheel rollators have greater stability, which is ideal if you spend more time outdoors on different terrain (grass, cement, dirt, etc).

Sometimes two different types of mobility aids will be combined into one, innovative product such as a rollator walker or rollator transport chair. Combination (or convertible) mobility aids are incredibly versatile and can offer you a cost effective independent living aid with multiple options.

Transport chairs and portable wheelchairs can help people with limited mobility from a recent operation or injury.

Whether a rollator or a walker is the best mobility aid for you or a loved one with mobility issues, it really is a personal decision based on every individual case. There isn’t a “one size fits all” answer. If you still have questions about which mobility aid or aid for walking is the best purchase, contact one of ActiveForever’s highly skilled customer service counselors trained to help you figure out the best mobility aid for you. 

As the American population continues to age, mobility aids for elderly have become increasingly important which has led to some wonderful innovations among mobility aids as well as accessories for mobility aids. The Carex company produces high quality, affordable mobility aids; the Carex brand is globally recognized as a leader in innovation, design, functionality, and performance. For a limited time, ActiveForever.com is offering a FREE gift with the purchase of specific Carex mobility aids. For more information on which mobility aids come with a FREE gift for a limited time, click here. If you’re interested in finding out more about the wide variety of mobility aids available on the market, those can be found here.

 

Staying Independent While Living With Parkinson's Disease

by ActiveForever Mon, April 12 2010 10:45
It is absolutely true when it is said that you don’t think about a disease until it hits close to home. Parkinson’s disease is just like any other disease in that not one symptom is a single indicator that you have a problem. Parkinson’s affects the way you move, since the human body is always in motion we usually ignore the first signs of trouble. Saying things like “Wow! I’m getting clumsy”, “I keep bumping into things”, or “Clearly I wasn’t fully awake, my arm wouldn’t move!”

Parkinson’s is most recognized by the tremors or shaking. It can affect you’re your limbs, some or all. Usually more so during the waking hours. Though I have to point out that tremors is not singularly a Parkinson’s symptom. There is also the stiff muscle symptom, slow movements and problems with balance - an early indictor is a reduced arm swing as you walk. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease so it will only get worse. You can slow it down though, with a good diet, a healthy daily routine, plenty of rest, and prescription drugs.

Grandma J. has lived with Parkinson’s for the better part of 25 years. When I saw her again for her 80th birthday celebration, she told me that she did not survive the great depression and several wars, just to be cooped up inside. She lives in a home, but she stays as independent as she can be – and she’s feisty too! She is living a happy life because she can go for walks with her walker and not have to worry about always having someone with her. U-Step walkers are designed for those with balance disorders, brain injuries, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and more. What caught our attention for this walker was the size and shape. The U-shape makes grandma feel safe by surrounding her on three sides. The front casters are spring loaded, this helps avoid the jarring effect a bump in the road can have on a patient or in this case Grandma. There is also an optional laser accessory that can be attached to the walker as well. Grandma doesn't currently need it, but the laser can help the user get past freezing episodes by providing a line on the ground to give them something to step over.

Grandma also takes care of her diet very well. She has refused prescription drugs that specifically treat Parkinson’s, but her ability to feed herself was compromised as her tremors worsened. The first thing she did was purchase some weighted good grips silverware, the extra weight helps stabilize the utensil to make eating easier. It also helps that the metal can be twisted or bent to suit her needs. Once she realized that they were customizable, she bought a second set. She follows her doctor’s orders and eats a healthy balanced diet regularly. Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s is sad, but remember that it is not the end of the world. Grandma is a great example of how learning and using those special little things allow you to adapt and live life the way it was meant to be lived.