Archive for August, 2016

Cleaning Tips to Spare Your Joints

Thursday, August 25th, 2016 by morethan

Let’s be honest cleaning your house is never fun and is something we all like to put off.  However it is especially hard if you suffer with any kind of mobility or disability or have issues with your joints.

Therefore we have put together some simple tips below to help.

  • House cleaning tips begin with pacing yourself. Clean just one room a day as if you do everything in one day you will end up over exerting yourself.
  • Focus on heavy-traffic areas first. You may need to vacuum only the hallway from the kitchen to the doorway to help spruce up the place
  • Equip yourself properly. If squeezing a spray bottle or lifting a heavy bottle of washing powder is tough, look for easy-to-handle packaging. For scrubbing, simple cleaning tools, such as microfiber cloths and gloves remove dirt beautifully with just a little water and minimal muscle.
  • Strategically store cleaning supplies. Stash a complete set of cleaning solutions and tools on each floor – including separate lightweight vacuum cleaners.
  • Clean messes when they’re fresh. Waiting until a stain sets or clutter builds up ultimately results in more work.
  • Let cleaning solutions work for you. Once you apply a cleaning solution, let it attack the grime for a few minutes, then come back to wipe up.
  • Tip for tucking. When making your bed, use a wooden pizza paddle to help you tuck in sheets and blankets.
  • Double duty. When cleaning house, give up that hard-to-grip dust rag. Instead, wear an old pair of gloves or socks on your hands for dusting.
  • Correct Mobility Equipment. If you are in a wheelchair or have a walking aid then make sure that you have the right equipment especially for indoor use and good manoeuvrability to help when cleaning.  Do take a look at our More Than Mobility range of mobility products and services.
  • Get help. If you still struggle then it might be worth looking at getting some additional help for a few hours each week with cleaning the house and changing your bedsheets.

Here at More Than Mobility we have you in mind when it comes to cleaning the home as we have a section dedicated to essential daily living aids – do please take a look at our website for our full range of mobility products and services.

Best Wishes

More Than Mobility Team

www.morethanmobility.com

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NEW More Than Mobility Store: Sidmouth!

Monday, August 22nd, 2016 by morethan

More Than Mobility are pleased to announce the opening of a new mobility store based in Sidmouth, Devon to complement our existing mobility stores in Northampton and Plymouth.

More Than Mobility have taken over the existing Hearing & Mobility store from 1st August 2016 .  For customers it is business as usual and our new Sidmouth store continues to stock a wide range of mobility products from mobility scooters, rise and recline chairs, adjustable beds, wheelchairs, bathing & toileting aids as well as daily living aids.    Do pop in and say hello to our same friendly team and see our range of mobility products or enquire about hiring a mobility scooter or wheelchair.

For new customers our Sidmouth store is located centrally in town on the high street and with parking near the store it is very convenient for customers coming from Sidmouth, Devon and Dorset and the surrounding areas.

Hearing Health & Mobility have retained a hearing aid concession at the Sidmouth store and continue to dispense hearing aids and associated products and services.  If you would like to book a hearing test appointment to take place in store on in the convenience of your own home do pop into the store or call us to book a slot.

Meet The Team!

Do pop in and say hello to our team:  Kate, Jill and Dave are on hand to help you with choosing any new mobility products or servicing your existing mobility product.

You can contact the More Than Mobility Sidmouth store on the previous phone number: 01395 519850 or via post at 75 High Street, Sidmouth EX10 8LD.

Opening hours are 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 4pm Saturday.    Alternatively you can visit our Sidmouth store website at www.morethanmobilitysidmouth.co.uk

View our store locator to see our full list of More Than Mobility showrooms around the country or alternatively take a look at our nationwide website at www.morethanmobility.com where you can buy online and we will deliver your mobility products direct to your home.  Alternatively you can call us on 0800 046 3949 for further advice or support.

Best Wishes

More Than Mobility Team

www.morethanmobility.com

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Rio Olympics & Paralympic Games 2016

Thursday, August 18th, 2016 by morethan

Have you been inspired by impressive GB Team performance at the Olympic Games this last few weeks?   Here at More Than Mobility the whole team have been watching in awe at our athletes and cheering them on late into the evening!

However don’t forget that in a few weeks’ time the Paralympic Games will also take place in Rio De Janeiro from 7th – 18th September 2016.  Step forward the Superhuman Paralympic athletes who are even more awe inspiring….if it is anything to go by London 4 years ago; be prepared to be humbled and amazed at the same time!  If you cannot wait then take a look at the We’re The Superhumans GB Paralympics Video Trailer to get you in the mood.

The Great Britain Paralympic team will have a total of 258 athletes competing at the Rio Games across 19 sports.

Also last week the British Paralympic Association (BPA) launched its 2016 Paralympic Inspiration Programme (PiP) for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, with 28 athletes and coaches across thirteen Paralympic sports. The Programme, which was first launched in London 2012, provides athletes and coaching staff with an experience of several days at a Paralympic Games. It aims to provide developing athletes knowledge that will prepare them for a future Games experience as a selected athlete, as well as inspire and excite potential future Paralympians in their ambitions.

Good luck to all our athletes taking part in both the Olympics and Paralympics.

Best wishes

More Than Mobility Team

www.morethanmobility.com

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Tips for Safety in the Bathroom

Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 by morethan

With its slippery and hard surfaces, the bathroom can become one of the most dangerous places for falls in your own home.   Here are some useful tips for keeping you safe in the bathroom:

  1. Get rid of throw rugs. These slippery floor coverings are the main cause of household falls. If you just can’t part with them in the bathroom, secure loose rugs with double-faced tape, tacks or slip-resistant backings.
  2. Put nonslip mats in your bathtub and shower to help prevent falls. To combat tripping, secure any loose corners on mats.
  3. Keep the bathroom floor dry, making sure it has no water on it. A weighted shower curtain will help ensure that no water leaks onto the floor.
  4. Place grab bars or grab rails in or around the bathtub, shower and toilet. When installed properly and securely, they’ll help you balance as you stand or sit and give you something to hold on to if you do slip.
  5. Your bathroom should be adequately lit during the day. At night, put a nightlight on the path to the bathroom which comes on when it detects movement. Within the bathroom, use a nightlight, or install an illuminated switch.
  6. If your toilet seat is low, consider buying a toilet seat extender or a toilet with a higher seat. That way you can get up safely and with less effort.  Also you might want to consider a toilet surrounding frame to go around the toilet to help.
  7. Put a bath board or bench or shower stool in the shower or bathtub. You’ll then have a place to sit when washing and there is less chance of slipping.
  8. Equip your shower with a handheld or adjustable shower head. You can manoeuvre it where you want it, minimizing your movement in the shower. Also, you can use it while sitting safely on your bath seat or bench.
  9. Take your time. The more you rush, the more likely you are to fall.
  10. If you struggle with getting in and out of bath then you might want to consider a lightweight bath lift.

More Than Mobility supply a range of bathing and toileting aids so do take a look at our website.

Best Wishes

More Than Mobility

www.morethanmobility.com

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August – National Road Victims Month

Monday, August 15th, 2016 by morethan

Every year, in August, RoadPeace remember those killed or injured on our roads during the National Road Victim Month

August is a particularly poignant month because:

  • Bridget Driscoll was the first person killed in the UK by a car, on 17 August 1896, in Crystal Palace, London
  • Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed in a car crash on 31 August 1997, in Paris
  • there is increased risk of those travelling on holiday being involved in a car crash

RoadPeace

RoadPeace was founded on the principle of road danger reduction (RDR) in February 1992. Twenty years on, supporting active travel policies and sustainable transport programmes is much more widespread.

Key to road danger reduction is the reduction of speed, volume and dominance of motor vehicles.

RoadPeace events taking place during August, Road Victim Month:

Do see the RoadPeace website for information on the other campaigns that RoadPeace organise and do follow them on Twitter.

Sharing the road – safety around mobility scooters

  • Be mindful of larger mobility scooters when travelling on the road.  Road legal mobility scooters can only travel at 8 mph but may be using the road. Give them space and only overtake when it is safe to do so.
  • Smaller mobility scooters are restricted to using footpaths and pavements. Dropped kerbs are the only way mobility and electric wheelchair users – not to mention parents with prams – can cross a road easily. It’s also an offence to obstruct these crossing points. When parking consider whether you’re inadvertently making it trickier for a less mobile person to get around.
  • Mobility scooters aren’t allowed to use cycle lanes or bus lanes so try not to get impatient if it seems they’re blocking the road – they’re obeying the law.
  • While larger scooters must have full lights, the smaller ones intended for pavement use don’t need to. In addition, waterproof covers can affect the vision of the driver. Never assume you’ve been seen. And always double check before pulling out.

Also mobility scooter users should have insurance for their scooter although it is not compulsory.  If you were to have an accident and hit someone, or damage someone’s property, in your mobility scooter your mobility scooter insurance will pay for your defence, if it was to go to court, and the resultant damages.  Here at More Than Mobility we always recommend that mobility scooters take out scooter insurance to cover any accidents and ensure peace of mind when travelling on the road.   Prices start from as little as £86 per annum which is only £1.66 per week.

Best wishes

More Than Mobility Team

www.morethanmobility.com

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Vintage: Back in Style!

Thursday, August 11th, 2016 by morethan

The rise of vintage from fashion to furniture has been well documented online and in the media.  Also the rise of vintage fairs are becoming more popular.

“Even if you go back two or three years you used to get real bargains. You could bid on old furniture on eBay and get it for 99p, now the same items are £60 or £70,” says Estelle Riley.

Initially people bought second-hand furniture and restored it because it was all they could afford. But then they began to like the old-fashioned look and sought out pieces that could be painted or distressed to recreate the vintage look at home. And despite the challenges in seeking out a bargain she believes vintage is still on the rise.

Charity Oxfam launched its vintage section online and saw sales through its website shoot up by 400%. The service, which allows Oxfam’s 700 shops to post vintage items for sale online, was set up three years ago after the charity noticed more people were typing the word “vintage” into the website’s search box.

See some of our own vintage rise and recline chair styles include:

Pride C11 Rise and Recline Chair

At a surprisingly affordable price this Pride C11 Rise and Recline Chair offers stylish wing back with diamond pattern back.   The C11 rise and recline chair offers the best of both worlds, fantastic value and style that you can personalise with not only fabric choice, but with interchangeable wood and fabric panels to fit in with existing household interiors. Price: 425.00

Sasha Rise & Recline Chair

The single motor Sasha Rise & Recline Chair offers all the comfort of a fully customised made the measure chair at an off the shelf price.   The snug-fitting Sasha is designed to fit the contours of a petite, curvy frame so you can enjoy relaxing at home in luxury. Price 475.00

Best Wishes

More Than Mobility

www.morethanmobility.com

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Tips to Help Wheelchair Users Transfer Onto The Toilet

Wednesday, August 10th, 2016 by morethan
    • Be sure to have the right toilet seat

      An elevated toilet seat is a must in the home.  Transferring becomes much easier as the seat can become the same height as the wheelchair.   Choice of seat heights and with and without arm rests.

        • Move the footrests and lock the wheels

          Locking the wheelchair wheels will provide the most stability for you to manoeuvre and will ensure that your chair does not begin to roll away from you. Find the best position, lock your wheelchair into place then move the footrests out of the way.

            • Remove Clothing Before Transfer

              Most people find that it’s easiest to remove their pants and underwear before transferring out of the wheelchair. Many prefer to move to the edge of their wheelchair, slide their clothing down to their ankles, and then remove the clothing from one ankle in order to spread their legs. It has also been suggested that you may want to forgo underwear altogether, as it can just prolong the process and become quite uncomfortable if it isn’t put back on just right.

                • Use a Sliding Transfer Board

                  A small sliding board, or transfer board, can come in quite handy when moving from your wheelchair to the toilet. The use of a sliding board can make the process flow more smoothly, as well as relieve pain in your chest and shoulder muscles from exertion. These boards can be used in any form of transfer as they are designed to bear the weight of a person moving from places such as their chair to their bed or their chair to the toilet and back.

                  Please feel free to print of the above tips to keep for yourself or if you are a carer to place on the toilet walls.

                  Best Wishes

                  More Than Mobility Team

                  www.morethanmobility.com

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