Donate Handicap Equipment
Filed under Handicap Equipment
After some rehabilitation, your temporary disability is now healed but now you have some used handicapped equipment lying around the home. It is probably in excellent condition and tossing it away would feel wasteful. Rather than throw it away, you can donate the handicap equipment. Donated handicapped equipment can be a tax write off, save someone from paying full retail price, and help someone regain their independence.
Where can I donate handicapped equipment?
Try your local thrift shops. Go to your local hospital and ask them if you can get a tax deduction on your donated item. If they are not willing to accept, someone there should be able to suggest someone who will. The American Medical Resources Foundation (AMRF) handles used handicapped equipment worldwide. Check your local emergency medical services (EMS) volunteers or a local social services department for people in need of such equipment. The Salvation Army, Goodwill and charities that work with medical equipment distribution are good spots. Veteran’s group homes are also good places to donate.
Some equipment can be reused while others, cannot. Medical equipment must be sterilized before they can be reused. There are many legal ramifications that are involved when you donate used handicapped equipment. For example, there skin infections and other irritants that may transfer by reusing handicap equipment. This creates a liability that many people will not want to get involved even if it is operational. For these reasons, many companies and organizations not equipped to handle used handicap equipment, will reject your donations.
Where can I get used handicapped equipment?
The reason why most people get used handicapped equipment is because they are cheaper than the new versions. The simplest way would be to get it from a friend or relative. There are also organizations like Healthcare for the Homeless that might have some used equipment for you. The places where you can donate handicapped equipment are also the same places where you can purchase used handicapped equipment.
If you feel a bit more adventurous, since many people throw away or sell expensive medical equipment online, there are sites like EBay, Freecycle and Craigslist. Make sure to set up a throw away email address because you can be inundated with spam and offers. Handicap walkers, crutches, wheelchairs and raised toilet seats are just a few examples of things you can find.
Most importantly, used handicapped equipment has potential risks involved and there are no warranties. I do not recommend the used option but many people do reuse them.
Handicap Walkers
Filed under Disability, Handicap Equipment
Handicap walkers, also known as mobility walkers, roller walkers, rollators or just plain “walkers,” are devices that help handicapped or disabled people retain their mobility. Often used by the elderly, walkers allow users to lean their weight onto the device’s handle, making it easier to move even if muscles are weak.
Unlike canes, handicap walkers have four widely-spaced legs. This wide spacing gives them far better stability than even four-legged canes. The walkers are usually made of hollow aluminum tubing, which gives them a light weight, yet allows them to have enough strength to hold up someone who leans on them. For someone with limited mobility and needs little assistance, these lift handicap walkers are the most affordable and efficient handicapped equipment.
Rolling Walkers and Rollators
Despite the seemingly light weight, sometimes it’s impossible for a user of a handicap walker to lift it with each step. For these people, there are walkers with wheels, also known as push handicap walkers. Wheeled models can have wheels on just the front two legs or on all four. The two-wheeled walkers need to be tilted upward for each step, but can offer stable support when the back two legs are put on the ground so they will not roll away. Rollator transport walkers with four wheels don’t need to be lifted at all; however one must be a bit more careful when leaning on them. These four wheel handicap walkers often come with shopping baskets bolted between their legs making them ideal for grocery shopping or other times when the user needs to carry or delivery items. The push handicap walkers are best used for carpeted areas because they can reduce the chances of getting caught in the carpet fiber. Lift handicap walkers might snag easier and cause injury.
Handicap Walkers With Seat
Some handicap walkers are equipped with padded seats. These seats are perfect for long lines in hospitals, insurance and medical offices. Standing in line puts more stress on the knees and feet because all the bodyweight is positioned directly on top of them. Checking out in supermarket and shopping malls will be much easier when you have a seat to wait out the other customers. You can also have the option of having a basket on the walker to carry your groceries and personal belongings.
Using a handicap walker can greatly improve the quality of life of someone who would otherwise be unable to walk or be at a high risk of falling. Instead of having to either stay home or wait for someone to assist, walker users can go out when they feel the urge. This allows users to maintain their mobility and independence. Another advantage of handicap walkers is their price compared to handicapped scooters and mobility wheelchairs.
The price of handicap walkers ranges from as low as about $50 to as much as $200 for a heavy-duty bariatric rollator. Insurance should cover the cost if the walker has been prescribed by a doctor. People who have a lot of trouble walking should definitely consider the use of a walker. The improvement in mobility, independence, and walking safety is well worth the use of these devices.
Tags: Rollators
