When it comes to Bathroom Safety, Medicare stops at the bathroom door...
Although largely considered to be one of the most dangerous rooms in the house, Medicare policy is that they will not cover any bathroom safety products. Medicare does cover certain home medical equipment and supplies, but when it comes to certain bathroom safety items such as shower chairs, bath benches, grab bars, raised toilet seats and any other kind of bathroom safety products, Medicare stops at the bathroom door...
Certain home medical equipment and supplies are covered, like wheelchairs, walkers,scooters hospital beds, mattes overlays and even the lift mechanism of a "Lift Chair". However, items like commode wheelchairs, shower wheelchairs, bath benches, shower seats and grab bars are not covered.
According to researchers from the Center For Disease Control (CDC) roughly 234,000 people ages 15 and older go to the emergency department each year because they got hurt in the bathroom. Dr. Judy Stevens says two thirds of the injuries were in women. She also says
The injury rate increased with age, so people over 65 were more likely to be injured – and also to have a more serious injury, like a fracture.’’ The study found two thirds of injuries happened in a shower or tub.
Unfortunately, nearly 80% of the bathroom safety grab bars that we install are after a fall has taken place in the bathroom. So why is it that everyone seems to wait and procrastinate when it comes making the bathroom a safer place?
Although Medicare does not cover bathroom safety products, they remain one of the soundest investments in home safety that can be made. The results of a bathroom fall can be financially and emotionally devastating.
Consider the following example- Bob and Irene, both 85 and married for 57 years have been living in their 3 bedroom 1 full bath home for 30 years. Both have been reluctant to make any changes to their bathroom...Irene takes a fall in the bathroom and not only breaks her hip, she fractures her right wrist in 3 places. Bob, suffering from the early signs of Alzheimer's is extremely dependent on Irene and is grief stricken over accident and becomes completely dependent on friend's, family members and care givers to not only visit his wife in the skilled nursing facility, but for his daily needs as well.
Moral of the story- don't procrastinate- make investments in your home to make it safer and make the bathrooms a priority. Comparably speaking, the cost of making your bathrooms safer versus the costs of an avoidable fall are, incomparable. Most people still have the old tub and shower enclosures that make it difficult to climb in and climb out. Even some of the older stall shower enclosures have have a curb of upwards of six inches creating a fall hazard.
Consider these tips when looking to make your bathroom a safer place:
- Have some bathroom safety grab bars intsalled and they don't have to be unsightly....
- Install a comfort height toilet or a raised toilet seat. (the average toilet height is just 14-15 inches which is hust too low for many people.- Comfort height toilets are 17 1/2 inches from the ground and avoid the need for what some consider to be an "unsightly" raised toilet seat)
- Install a toilet railing to make getting on and off the toilet easier...
- Make sure to have "no-slip" adhesive strips installed in your tub to prevent a slippery surface.
Bathroom safety remodeling does not have to be expensive and remains one of the best investments you can make in your home...
As we get older, the chances of falling and hurting ourselves in the home become more likely. Weakened leg muscles, limited dexterity, and impaired vision are just a few factors that can contribute to a fall resulting in injury or worse.
To insure safety in the home, proper fall prevention precautions should be taken. The following fall prevention guidelines offer seven easy ways to avoid falls in the home.
9 Ways to Prevent Falls in the Home
#1- Stairways should have handles on both sides: It is best to have handrails professionally installed so they are firmly attached to the wall. In addition to handrails, insuring that your stairways are well-lit is also a key part of fall prevention. If you are still having difficulty navigating the stairs with railings on both sides then it's time to consider a stair lift.
#2- Fall prevention in the home starts with removing tripping hazards from walkways: Tripping hazards could include throw rugs, furniture, and clutter such as children's toys and shoes. If you step on something in a walkway that you do not see, it is very easy to sprain or even break an ankle.
#3- Use non-skid rugs to prevent falls on bathroom floors: The bathroom is probably the most dangerous room in the house to fall in. Bathrooms typically have a lot of sharp corners and hard surfaces, so a fall in that room can result in serious or even life-threatening injuries.
#4- Use a shower chair or transfer bench when getting in and out of the tub: Transfer benches and shower chairs are available in a variety of styles with multiple features so they can fit your individual needs. A basic shower chair is an affordable and sturdy bath seat that is available with or without arms and a back rest, while the a transfer bench offers a comfortable and fully reversable means to transfer in and out of the tub.
# 5- Use a toilet safety frame, commode, or raised toilet seat for fall prevention near the toilet: All 3 of these products serve the same purpose - to give you something secure to hold on to when getting on or off the toilet seat. The removable arm raised toilet seat with Arms offers users a comfortable seat with ergonomically designed, removable armrests. The elevated toilet seat is extremely sturdy and requires virtually no installation.
#6- Installing grab bars near the toilet, bathtub, and shower is the quickest way to prevent falls: Todays grab bars are more versatile and good looking and can make an attractive addition to virtually any bathroom. Grab bars should be professionaly installed because the last thing you want is for a grab bar to pull away from the wall when you need it most. If a wall stud is not available at the critical angel where a grab bar needs to be, then using a Secure Mount Wall anchor is essential. Secure mount anchors can be installed at virtually any angle. For those who do not wish to do a permanent installation, portable suction cup grab bars can be used on completely smooth surfaces as a means of balance when getting in and out of the tub or shower. To ensure fall prevention, be sure to test the strength of all installed grab bars before allowing them to be used.
#7- Improve Bathroom Safety with a Walk-in tub or Walk-in Shower installation- The bathroom remains one of the more dangerous rooms in the house. Often times as we age we begin to fear the bathtub and no longer wish to bath because of the fear of falling. If you have one of the old tub and shower enclusures that require you to step over the tub to get into the shower then consider a walk-in tub or walk in shower. Both of these solutions create a safer situation for bathing and showering potentially preventing dangerous bathroom falls.
#8- Prevent falls in the bedroom by using a bed rail for getting in and out of bed: Often people are opposed to the idea of bed rails because they have a tendency to look too clinical. However, bed rails can offer both style and functionality while aiding in safety. For anyone who has difficulty getting in or out of bed a bed rail is easily installed and can significantly help reduce bedroom related falls.
#9- Avoid getting up from a seated position too quickly: Sometimes, particularly when on multiple medications, getting up from a chair or seated position can causes "postural hypotension" or dizziness upon standing. A great and comfortable way to avoid dizzines upon standing is to get up slowly or consider getting a reclining lift chair. Todays lift chairs are very attractive and have motor mechanisims that lift you up into the standing position slowly and also have the ability to lay flat for sleeping and napping.
Home safety and fall prevention is extremely important for seniors and the elderly. By taking the necessary precautions and making the appropriate purchases for your home, you can help prevent falls and protect the ones you love from injury.
To find out if your home is safe, download our ultimate in home safety checklist today!
The main reason most people are forced to move into an assisted or long term care living facility is do to the lack of a first floor bedroom and full bathroom. When the bedroom and bathroom are upstairs, there's only one way to get there...climb the stairs.
We see it all the time, an aging couple living in a home with stair case leading to the upstairs bedroom and full bathroom. Either the husband or the wife takes a fall, breaks several bones and ends up in a short term rehabilitation facility. From there, options get limited when it comes to moving back home and navigating those difficult to climb stairs.
A simple straight stair lift installation should cost no more than $3,000- $3,500 and sometimes Long Term Care Insurance policies will pay the bill. "We recently, installed a stair-lift for a couple that was able to get their long-term care insurance policy to pay for the install.
Sometimes long term care insurance policies have clauses whereby they will pay for various forms of adaptive home remodeling. Remember, most long term care policies are on the hook to pay for time spent in a skilled nursing facility after Medicare runs out. If they can help pay for some adaptive home remodeling and keep you in the home, it saves them money down the line.
Stairlifts offer a great, simple fall prevention solution for those with mobility issues. If you've already installed railings on both sides of the stairs and that's still not safe enough to navigate those pesky stairs, it's time to install a stairlift.
To find out if your home is safe download our In Home Safety Checklist today!
The costs associated with skilled nursing facilities are astronomical - Make good choice today and never be forced into an undesirable move
Most older adults, needless to say, would choose their own homes. But for any number of reasons, from physical or mental health issues to dwindling finances, staying at home isn't always seem possible. If someone close to you appears to be headed for a nursing home, there are alternatives that can (sometimes indefinitely) forestall the need for such a move.
Here are ten ideas for keeping your loved one at home:
1. Share care
As an older adult's need for in-home care begins to mushroom, even the combination of paid and family caregiving may quickly become too expensive, too time-consuming and exhausting, or both. Many people discover they're able to share caregiving (and its costs) by pooling their resources. Examples include:
Moving in with a relative, friend, or neighbor: Living alone increases the need for caregiving. Many older adults address this problem by sharing their living space with someone else who's in similar circumstances. This might mean sharing one or the other's existing home, or getting a new place together. Roommates can then help support each other while sharing some family and paid caregiving, reducing both the burden and the cost.
Simultaneous family-and-paid caregiving shared with a neighbor: There may be someone who lives in the same building or on the same block as the person you're caring for who also needs regular in-home care. If so, and assuming that the two of them get along and accept the idea, it may be possible for them to share some in-home caregiving. One of them could be taken to the other's home -- and, if both physical setups allow, this could alternate between the two places -- and be cared for there for a day or a few hours, either by a paid or family caregiver. A comfortable chair or bed could be added to one or both places to make this more workable.
2. Move to a less expensive area
If in-home care gets too expensive, consider moving your loved one to a different, less costly, location. The cost of living -- including both the regular expenses of daily life (housing, food, utilities) and the cost of an in-home caregiver -- varies substantially in different areas of the country. For example:
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Urban areas tend to be more expensive than rural ones.
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Both coasts are generally more expensive than the South, the Southwest, and much of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains.
By reducing costs, it may be possible to afford considerably more in-home care in a new, less expensive location. When making such a move, consider:
Moving your loved one near a family caregiver: Making a major move may be most sensible if it's to a place near one or more family members who will be involved with caregiving. Even if most in-home caregiving continues to be paid, having a nearby family member who's responsible for overseeing that care and for providing extra care and other assistance when needed will further reduce costs.
3. Use adult daycare
One way to make in-home care work -- both in terms of cost and preventing family caregiver burnout -- is to supplement it with adult daycare. Your loved one can spend from a few hours to a full day at an adult daycare center while the primary in-home caregiver sees to other matters or simply gets a break from caregiving.
The benefits of adult daycare aren't just for the caregivers. Adult daycare centers typically offer meals, activities, exercise, and transportation, providing the person in your care a change from the isolation of home, socialization with others, and activities he or she might not otherwise participate in. Many adult daycare centers accept, and have special services for, people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.
Adult daycare centers charge considerably less per hour than in-home caregivers -- $25 to $75 for a full day, depending on location and services provided. Also, many centers offer sliding-scale fees.
Neither Medicare nor other health insurance pays for adult daycare, but long-term care insurance does, as do many state Medicaid programs. Also, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates its own adult daycare centers for veterans who qualify.
There are more than 3,500 adult daycare centers currently operating in the United States; many here in Connecticut.
4. Hire free or low-cost companion care
Skilled in-home care can cost $20 to $30 an hour -- and even more. If the number of hours needed for care begins to mount, consider what type of help is actually necessary. Can your loved one get by with skilled in-home assistance for only a small part of the day (first thing in the morning, for example, or at bedtime), and for most of the day have a nonprofessional caregiver who simply provides companionship, helps with small household chores, and provides a presence for safety and security?
If lower-cost (or free) "companion care" is workable for your family member, here are some sources of such help:
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Senior-to-senior programs. In some areas, local government or nonprofit organizations operate an agency or referral service that connects local senior volunteers with other seniors in need of companion care.
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Churches. Some churches have programs in which congregation members volunteer to provide free in-home care for older adults. These programs usually provide only a few hours of help a week, but even that can make a big difference to a family caregiver and to overall costs. If you or your loved one belongs to a local church, find out if it has such a program, or if it knows of congregation members who provide this kind of unofficial help on their own.
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Local high schools and colleges. Many high schools and colleges offer community service programs in which students volunteer to provide free local services, such as in-home care for older adults. Student volunteers aren't usually capable of providing extensive care (such as managing medicines or bathing), but often they can run errands, perform household chores, and provide companionship for an older adult for several hours a week. Also, many colleges have student employment centers where students list their availability to provide care for pay, usually at rates considerably lower than those of professional caregivers.
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In-home care agencies. Most in-home care agencies offer different levels of care, including lower-cost companion care. Here's one way to find out about and compare in-home care agencies near you.
5. Check out your own backyard- consider an addition with a "practical assisted living structure- PALS
For some people, having a loved one move in with them would make providing care much easier -- in fact, it could eliminate the need to move to a nursing home. But lack of space and the intrusion on the privacy of both the family and the person being cared for often make such a move impractical.
One solution is the addition of a small, separate living unit in the backyard or attached to a family home. -Practical Assisted Living Structures (PALS) are Pre-Fab built in-law style suites that can be affordably added to an existing home or structure for a low cost, especially when compared to a skilled or assisted living facility.
The addition of a separate living unit is neither simple nor cheap. There may be zoning issues, and the cost can run between $25,000 and $75,000 to purchase the unit, or between $1,000 and $3,000 per month to lease it. Still, these costs are considerably less than even one year in most nursing homes. Also, once the unit is no longer needed, it can either be removed or kept and used for other purposes.
6. Get creative with financial tools
If lack of cash is the reason your loved one can't remain at home, and you think you've exhausted all possibilities for raising funds, consider two often-overlooked sources:
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Reverse mortgage. If your loved one owns the home he or she lives in, a reverse mortgage might raise enough money to pay for a considerable amount of in-home care. Unlike a conventional mortgage, none of the reverse mortgage loan amount has to be repaid until the homeowner dies or permanently leaves the home. This means that all the money from a reverse mortgage is available to pay for in-home care, or for any other expenses, as long as the homeowner continues to live in the home.
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Cash for life insurance. Certain life insurance policies can be cashed in with the insurance company itself for 50 to 75 percent of the policy's face value. Some policies permit these "accelerated benefits" or "living benefits," as they're called, only if the policyholder is terminally ill. A "life settlement" (also called a "senior settlement") may also be possible, which involves selling the policy to a life settlement company for a lump sum. The amount of the settlement -- 50 to 75 percent of the policy's face value -- depends on the policy benefit amounts, the policy's monthly premiums, and the policy holder's age and health. The settlement company pays the policy's premiums until the person dies, and then it collects the life insurance benefits.
7. Investigate the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
If your family member is a veteran, or a spouse or surviving spouse of a veteran, he or she may be able to qualify for a number of different VA will enable him or her to remain at home instead of entering a nursing home. These benefits include:
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In-home care and adult daycare programs. The VA provides a number of long term in-home care programs which the VA refers to as "extended care." These programs offer nonmedical assistance to help certain veterans maintain their independence. Extended care is available to a veteran with a service-connected disability or to any veteran who has very low income and needs long-term care. Extended care can include:
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In-home health aides and homemaker services
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Adult daycare, which provides health maintenance and rehabilitative services to veterans in a group setting during daytime hours, either at a VA or community facility
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Community living centers, which offer short-term residential and ongoing community care for veterans with chronic stable conditions (including dementia) and veterans needing rehabilitation or short-term special services
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Home modification grants. Being able to remain at home sometimes depends on the physical configuration of a person's living space. The VA offers several types of cash grants to help a veteran modify his home in order to remove barriers and to make it safer.
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Cash benefits. Eligibility and amounts for veterans and their spouses vary depending on the nature of military service, existence of a service-connected disability, and income. Some of the benefits include:
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VA Pension benefit which is for veterans who served at least 90 days of active military service (24 months for those who entered after September 7, 1980), at least one day of which was during an official period of war; has low income; and is age 65 or older or permanently and totally disabled (the disability does not need to be service-related). The pension can be as much as about $1,000 per month (more for a couple) and depends on the veteran's income.
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VA- service connected disability benefit which pays monthly benefits to veterans with a physical or mental-emotional condition that affects the vet's ability to perform the activities of daily life. The condition must have resulted from, or have been aggravated by, injuries or diseases that struck while the veteran was on active duty. The amount of compensation -- from $123 to $2,673 per month -- depends on the seriousness of the disability and whether there's a dependent spouse.
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VA Aid and Attendance benefits available to a veteran who's also eligible for a VA pension or to a veteran's survivor who's collecting a VA death pension (see above). Aid and attendance benefits can add up to about $700 per month extra to a veteran's VA pension, and about $500 per month extra to a survivor's VA death pension. To receive an aid and attendance benefit, the veteran or surviving spouse must either require regular assistance to safely perform activities of daily living, be bedridden, or be blind.
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VA Household benefit is a veteran who's receiving a VA pension, or a survivor receiving a VA death pension, may also be eligible for housebound benefits if he or she has a 100 percent-rated (by the VA) disability that substantially confines him or her to home.
8. Consider assisted living
Even though assisted-living facilities are sprouting up everywhere, many older adults and their caregivers don't realize that an assisted-living facility -- usually far less costly and less institutional than a nursing home -- may be right around the corner. Or there may be assisted-living facilities near a family member who can provide regular companionship and extra support beyond what the facility offers.
If your loved one needs regular monitoring but not round-the-clock supervision, and assistance with some but not all aspects of daily living (such as bathing, eating, walking, getting in and out of bed, using the toilet), then it may pay to look into an assisted-living facility. Some things to know:
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Assisted-living facilities offer a separate, private living space -- from a single room to a one- or two-bedroom apartment, usually with kitchen facilities -- in a building of 20 to 150 units that house other older adults.
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Assisted-living facilities offer basic supervision and services -- meals in a common dining area, housekeeping, help with activities of daily living, monitoring of medication, transportation, and social and wellness activities.
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Many assisted-living facilities provide specialized care and services for people with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.
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Assisted-living facility costs vary by area, size of the individual unit, and level of services, but they generally range from about $2,000 to $7,000 a month.
9. Look Into how you may qualify for Medicaid
Medicaid (the medical insurance program for people with very low incomes and few assets) does not include nonmedical, long-term, in-home care as a standard part of its coverage. But for those who qualify for Medicaid, the program has begun to recognize that the alternative to unaffordable in-home care is entry into a nursing home, which Medicaid does pay for. So, as a way of allowing Medicaid recipients to remain at home -- and thereby saving Medicaid the cost of full nursing home coverage -- some state Medicaid programs have established what's called Home & Community Based Services (HCBS).
HCBS programs offer Medicaid coverage for a limited amount of in-home care and adult daycare. These programs only operate in some states, and the eligibility and benefits rules vary from program to program.
To find out more about the availability of an HCBS program where your loved one lives, contact a local Medicaid office.
10. Obtain Home Medical Equipment and perform adaptive home remodeling projects to your existing home
The main reason why people are forced to move into a skilled or assisted living facility is do to the lack of a first floor bedroom or first floor full bathroom. To create a first floor living arrangement, the aforementioned -Practical Assisted Living Structures (PALS), can be an ideal solution.
Aside form putting on an addition or remodeling, make sure to have the bases covered. With the bathroom being one of the most dangerous rooms in the house, make sure to have grab bars and railings installed to prevent unnecessary falls. If you have an older style, difficult to climb over bathtub and shower enclosure, consider having a low-step entry walk-in tub or barrier free walk-in shower installed.
Make sure adequate lighting is available and that tripping hazards are removed from all areas of the home. Consider getting lift chairs with motorized lift mechanisms to help get up from a seated position and avoid hypotension upon rising to a standing position. If stairs are a problem, have a stair lift installed. stairlifts not only help prevent stairway related falls, they can also help transport the laundry up and down the stairs.
If unsteady on your feet, make sure to have plenty of things to hold onto and look into the many different types of walking aids from canes to 4-wheel rolling walkers. If mobility gets really challenging consider a scooter or power wheel chair. Todays scooters are so compact and can easily be stored in a trunk so when you get to the mall or sporting event you can simply take the scooter out an be on your way...
After nearly 20 years of successfully serving Southbury and surrounding town residents, A&C Medical Supplies & Equipment Inc has moved from their showroom in the Union Square Plaza, and has relocated nearby in the new Commons Plaza at 250 Main Street South in Southbury.
We had been in the back section of the Union Square Plaza for years. We noticed what a nice rebuild job that was being done on The Commons Plaza that had burned to the ground in last years fire. After seeing the space we decided to make the move.
As a full service Medicare & Medicaid accredited Home Medical Equipment Supplier, A&C Medical provides a wide array of Home Medical equipment, supplies and services. With new ownership as of January 2010, many new improvements were made while their goal remained the same: Help people remain living safely and independently in the comfort of their own homes by providing the best and most affordable home medical equipment and supplies available.
A&C Medical has added new innovative products and services that greatly benefit customers and their families. Owner and Certified Aging In Place Specialist Craig Schuck states - “As a full service Home Medical Equipment provider we now not only offer home medical equipment and supplies,we also provide adaptive remodeling projects as well.” He notes that bathrooms remain one of the most dangerous rooms in the house as we age and it becomes more difficult to step over a bathtub to get in and out. “We have always installed bathroom safety grab bars and recently expanded to include the installation of everything from grab bars to railings, stair lifts and ramp systems to complete bathroom remodeling projects, which also include the installation of walk-in bathtubs or customized walk-in shower systems.”
A&C Medical Supplies & Equipment’s brand new showroom features Home Medical equipment and supplies along with displays of Senior Safe walk-in tubs and walk-in shower systems. A&C Medical opened for business in the Commons office plaza on Monday March 5, 2012.
Stop by our new showroom today or call:
203.262.1671
Falls are the source of most injuries in bathrooms. In one year 234,000 people 15 and older visited emergency rooms due to injuries suffered in bathrooms. Most of these injuries were caused by falls, which can be especially dangerous for older adults.
Activities that take place in the bathroom, such as showering and bathing, are a simple part of most peoples’ daily routine. Yet, slips in the tub and falls in the shower or from the toilet may cause serious injuries.
According to a new CDC study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), an estimated 234,000 people ages 15 and older were treated in U.S. emergency departments (ED) in 2008 for injuries that occurred in bathrooms. Four out of 5 of these injuries were caused by falls—which can have especially serious consequences for older adults.
Almost one-third (30 percent) of adults aged 65 and above who were injured in bathrooms were diagnosed with fractures. Among adults aged 85 and older, 38 percent were hospitalized as a result of their injuries.
Read the new CDC study on bathroom injuries and the related press release.
Steps for Safety in the Bathroom
Certain home safety measures may reduce the risk for all household members of being injured in the bathroom. Some prevention strategies include:
- Adding non-slip surfaces and grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower to reduce slips and falls.
- Installing grab bars next to the toilet for added support, if needed.
- Consider replacing your old tub with a walk in shower system
Preventing Falls among Older Adults
Four out of five injuries that took place in bathrooms in 2010 were the result of falls. Falls can be especially dangerous for adults ages 65 and older.
Older adults can take steps to make falls less likely. If you are 65 or older, take the following steps to reduce your risk of falling:
- Get some exercise: Lack of exercise can lead to weak legs, which increases the chance of falling. Exercise programs like Tai Chi can increase strength as well as improve balance, making falls less likely for aging adults.
- Be mindful of medications: Some medicines—or combinations of medicines— can have side effects like dizziness or drowsiness. This can make falls more likely. Having a doctor or pharmacist review all your medications can help reduce the chance of risky side effects and drug interactions.
- Keep your vision sharp: Poor vision can make it harder to get around safely. To help make sure you're seeing clearly, have your eyes checked every year and wear glasses or contact lenses with the right prescription strength.
- Eliminate hazards at home. About half of all falls happen at home. A home safety check can help identify fall hazards, like clutter and poor lighting that should be removed or changed.
According to recent statistics released by the Centers for Disease control, the Bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house where a majority of falls occur.
Everyone has heard of the walk in bathtub, but what about the Walk in Shower?
Lets face it, the traditional bathtub is extremely dangerous for someone getting on in years. They are slippery and difficult to get in an out of causing fear and anxiety for those with mobility issues.
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
There’s no place like home, but this doesn’t mean it’s safe. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saw that. The researchers estimate 234,000 people ages 15 and older go to the emergency department each year because they got hurt in the bathroom.
Dr. Judy Stevens says two thirds of the injuries were in women. She also says:
The injury rate increased with age, so people over 65 were more likely to be injured – and also to have a more serious injury, like a fracture.’’
The study found two thirds of injuries happened in a shower or tub. To reduce the risk, add non-slip surfaces and grab bars both inside and outside the shower or tub.
The Walk In Shower is a great alternative to its more expensive counterpart, The Walk In Tub....
Walk In bathtubs are great, especially for those who could benefit from "hydrotherapy". As we age, it not only gets more difficult to get in and out of the tub, it gets more harder to exercise.
The hydro therapeutic benefits of the pulsating air and waters pressure achieved when taking a tub with air and water jets is equivalent to getting exercise.
Not everyone can afford a walk in bathtub which tend to be 30-40% more expensive than the walk in shower.
The huge benefit of the walk on shower is that you eliminate the high step in height of the old bathtub and create a showering environment that is much safer. Depending on the type of walk in shower system that is chosen you can even get one that has a built in seat and customized grab bars.
If you get a walk in shower system that comes with marine layer gel coat fiberglass with plywood backing, you can install grab bars at any height and angel specifically positioned for the height and need of those using the walk in shower.
The process for installing a walk in shower is quite simple in that you simply remove the old tub shower enclosure and expose the wall studs. Then, depending on the type of walk in shower chosen, you install it and place the grab bars where they will be most beneficial.
The typical installation of a walk in shower, depending on what's required to remove the old tub shower enclosure and what walk in shower type is chosen can range from $4,000- $15,000.
To learn more about walk in showers download the Walk In Shower Buyers Guide or Call:
A&C Medical
203.262.1671
Medicare Coverage Guidelines for POWER Mobility Devices:
4 Step Process Must Be Followed
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Visit with your physician for a face to face examination and discuss your mobility options. Medicare requires a face to face with your physician prior to writing a prescription for a power mobility device. Medicare requires a face to face with your physician prior to writing a prescription for a power mobility device.
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Have your physician fax or mail the written prescription and medical records to a mobility supplier in your area who accepts Medicare. The mobility supplier must receive the written prescription prior and supporting documentation (medical records) within 45 days from the date of your face to face examination.
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Your mobility supplier will conduct a home assessment to ensure that you have adequate access and maneuverability space. The primary reason for a power mobility device is to compensate for your mobility limitations within your home and your ability to perform activities of daily living. Therefore, it is critical to determine if your home environment will support the use of a scooter or power wheelchair.
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Your mobility supplier will order the power mobility device prescribed by your physician or treating practitioner. Delivery of the scooter or power wheelchair must be no more than 120 days following examination.
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Medicare may pay for a motorized wheelchair. Although it is not guaranteed that you will qualify or be reimbursed by Medicare, whether you personally lay out the price for one, or are looking for Medicare to purchase one for you, we can give you some guidelines to follow and the basic criteria that must be met in order for Medicare to either reimburse or authorize payment for a motorized unit. A power wheelchair is covered when all of the following criteria are met:
- The patient's condition is such that without the use of a wheelchair the patient would otherwise be bed or chair confined.
- The patient's condition is such that a wheelchair is medically necessary and the patient is unable to operate a wheelchair manually.
- The patient is capable of safely operating the controls for the power wheelchair.
A patient who requires a power wheelchair usually is totally non-ambulatory and has severe weakness of the upper extremities due to a neurological or muscular disease/condition. If the documentation does not support the medical necessity of a power wheelchair but does support the medical necessity of a manual wheelchair, payment is based on the allowance for the least costly medically appropriate alternative.
If you need more clarification or information just give us a call.
A&C Medical
203.262.1671
This Educational information has been provided by:
A&C Medical Equipment & Supplies Inc
Mobility Resource Center
385 Main Street South – Union Square
Southbury, CT 06488
203.262.1671- Showroom 203.262.1162 Fax
www.acmedical.com
Practical Assisted Living Structures (PALS) create a fantastic alternative to a complete home remodel or forced move into a Skilled Nursing Facility.
A fo
rced move into a skilled nursing facility can be devastating to a patient, their family and their pocket book. According to the recent numbers published in the 2011 Annual Met Life Market Survey of Long-term Care costs. The national Average for a Private Room in a licensed Skilled Nursing Facility rose from $229 per day to $239 creating an annual increase of $3,650 and a total annual cost of $87,235. In Connecticut, the average daily cost for a private room in a Skilled Nursing Facility rose to $394 per day or $143,810 which is among the highest rates in the Nation.
Connecticut Builder and entrepreneur Henry Racki of Rockfall Builders has come up with the ideal alternative to the rising costs of Long-Term care here in Connecticut with The Practical Assisted Living Structure. According to Racki, many of those in the Baby Boomer Generation found the premiums for long term care insurance policies to be too cost prohibitive and chose not to purchase them back when they had the chance. Now, people living in their 70's, 80's and 90's without a long term care policy are left with few good alternatives when it comes to funding Long-Term Care costs.
"Sure, Medicare will cover the first 90 days in a certified rehabilitation facility, but what
do you do from there? The main reason why people are forced to move into a Long Term Care Facility is usually because the home lacks a first floor bedroom or first floor full bathroom. If an elderly person with compromised function takes a fall or has a heart attack or stroke rendering them more disabled your kind of left in a real bind"...Most financial planners will say that what threatens the nest egg of our aging population most are forced and unexpected moves into Skilled Nursing facilities....
Most states have implemented look back periods of at least five years when it comes to transferring assets. If you have been remiss in performing estate planning tactics by legally moving assets out of your name, there is the chance that the state will claim those assets as their own to cover Skilled Nursing Long-Term Care costs.
Practical Assisted Living Structure (PALS), created by Henry Racki of Rockfall Builders are Pre-Fab built In-Law apartments that can be added onto a home or existing structure as an alternative to a complete home remodel or forced move into a Long-Term Care Facility. In Connecticut, with Long Term care costs among the highest in the Country, PALS are a fantastic alternative.
It's a Pre-Fab built In-Law apartment or Suite and we do all the leg work stated Racki. From meeting with town zoning and planning departments to planning out the smallest detail. "When these units are installed you have a complete, turn key In-Law apartment. Some come with either a Walk-In Tub or a "Barrier Free" Shower with plenty of room to maneuver. We strive to create a zero-step entry and minimize step ups to prevent falls and create a safe living situation... All at an affordable price point!
People normally don't think of performing adaptive home remodeling projects over the Holidays, but in some cases it's as good of a time as any.
Our goal at A&C Medical is to help keep people living safely and independently in their homes for as long as time and good health permits. Providing home medical equipment and performing home safety modification projects is our specialty.
Many of the adaptive home remodeling projects that we perform can be done in as little as a couple days and the Holidays may be as good of a time as any to talk with aging parents about fall prevention and home safety modifications.
We have several Free items to give away as a compliment to any of the following adaptive home safety modification projects:
A&C Medical has been providing the best and most affordable Home Medical Equipment Supplies and Home Modifications to Connecticut residents since 1993.
Give us a call or stop by our showroom for additional details regarding our Holiday specials!
Wishing you and your family a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
The A&C Medical Team
