Wheelchairs have been used for centuries. They help increase mobility and independence for those with difficulty walking due to disability, injury, or illness. As you age, the need for a wheelchair is more common. A wheelchair can enhance your lifestyle, and is a great topic of conversation with other seniors!
Long ago, if you needed a wheelchair, your options were limited. Today, wheelchair users can choose from several types of wheelchairs: Those that work on the beach, electric wheelchairs, chairs specifically designed for sports players, and even standing wheelchairs. You can also equip your wheelchair with additional features to make the riding experience more enjoyable while still meeting your accessibility needs.
Importance of Accessibility
Before the Americans with Disability Act was passed in 1990, obstacles like elevators and escalators in public buildings caused wheelchair users to be unable to access places they needed to reach. With the passing of this legislation, not only are more buildings wheelchair accessible than ever before, but it’s also illegal to discriminate against those with a disability when it comes to transportation, jobs, and healthcare.
So much has changed in home design during your lifetime, and even though many folks don’t look forward to aging, this is a great time if you need any assistive devices at home. As more companies focused on ways to uphold the law and create spaces that were functional for those who used wheelchairs and other assistive devices, the idea of accessibility in home design emerged. Now, people with a variety of mobility equipment can create a space at home that’s functional, spacious, stylish, and safe for seniors and those with disabilities.
If you’re a tech-savvy senior, here are a few features you’ll appreciate.
Sensor Insoles
If you’re working on increasing strength and improving balance, you might want to consider wearable technology such as the Moticon Science Sensor Insoles. These insoles slide right into your shoes, and then provide information about your gait and motion through their SCIENCE software. You can stream the data gathered to a PC or smartphone and even share it with your physical therapist or doctor so it can be used as part of your treatment plan for increasing your strength, flexibility, and mobility.
Smart Doorbell
When using a wheelchair around the house, being able to see out windows and doors from a seated position can become difficult. With smart doorbell systems like Ring or Skybell, you can check your phone to see who’s at the door, and you can even speak to the person remotely. Some of these systems come with other home safety features, like floodlights, and motion detection sensors to help keep thieves at bay. You can even allow your children or grandchildren access so that they can keep an eye on your home too.
LED Lights
You have the right to cross the street (do it carefully, though!) while riding your wheelchair, but you might be endangered by negligent drivers. While there isn’t a solution for people with poor driving skills, there is one that makes you more visible to them: Tetra Gear. These multi-use LED lights work for manual and electric chairs. Tetra Gear lights are designed in a weatherproof casing for year-round use and are flexible so that you can attach them to any part of your chair. The light controller features a feather touch switch for easy use and a long-lasting battery.
Hands-Free Tech Access
If you need adaptive equipment for your upper body that you can use while in your wheelchair, think Tecla. This device makes tablet, computer, and smartphone use a breeze thanks to the switches that can be operated hands-free. You can use it from your chair during the day and then move it over to your bed at night. The built-in sensors detect slight movements, making this an excellent option if you have limited range of your arms and hands.
Smart Lighting
Reaching switches in your home can be a real pain for wheelchair users. With a smart lighting system, you can increase your accessibility and visibility anytime day or night without struggling to reach. These systems link to your phone through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth so that you can control the lights and set timers remotely. Try out a smart lighting system; use it to dim lights, turn them on and off, and even change the colors before you ever enter your home.
Bathroom Locator
Finding a wheelchair-friendly bathroom when you’re out and about isn’t always an easy feat, but with the WheelMate app, you get an instant list of the nearest wheelchair-friendly bathroom facilities and parking spots on your device. If you find one that’s not listed on the app and want to help out other wheelchair users, you can add it in and verify so that others can use it too. WheelMate is available for both iPhone and Android devices.
Home Elevator
Just a few short decades ago putting in a home elevator wasn’t financially feasible for most people. Today, they are much more reasonably priced, so that having an elevator built in your home can be a reality.
Many companies have developed sleek elevators that aren’t too dizzying and won’t break the bank. The installation takes about a day, and these elevators won’t necessarily require a machine room like the more industrial elevators you find in public buildings. An elevator can increase your ability to get to the second floor, and with the right lift, you can roll in and even turn around with ease.
Many people are using technology to ease the aging process. You can tap into the tech developments being created all around the globe to help make your life easy and enjoyable. Try out a few of these tech resources for wheelchairs users to enjoy a more comfortable, high-tech experience.
