For quite some time, I wasn't sure what I was going to do about my failing health. I knew that I had a few longterm health problems, but resolving the issues felt really difficult. Fortunately, a friend of mine mentioned going to the doctor, so I began looking for medical alternatives. I began working with one doctor who suggested a course of medications and a few lifestyle changes, and I was really enthusiastic about the progress I was making. I know that making health and medical changes helped the quality of my life, and I know it could help you too. Check out this blog for more information.
Winter Is Here: How To Keep You And Your Wheelchair Mobile
If you're confined to a wheelchair, winter weather can make it difficult to get around, especially when you're dealing with snow and ice. You can't stay in your home until the weather clears up. Here are three tips that will help you and your wheelchair remain mobile this winter.
Start with a Maintenance Check
If you haven't had your wheelchair inspected in a while, you need to have that taken care of quickly. You need your wheelchair to be in tiptop shape during the winter. A maintenance appointment will ensure that everything is functioning properly and that all the nuts and bolts are securely fastened. If you live in an area where snow and ice are a common occurrence, it's also a good idea to have your wheelchair cleaned thoroughly at least once this winter. Road salt can cause serious damage to your wheelchair.
Upgrade Your Tires
If you're going to be faced with snow and ice this winter, it's time to upgrade your tires. Ordinary all-weather wheelchair tires do great under normal conditions. However, when it comes to harsh winter weather, you need tires that will cut through the snow and ice. For that, you need snow tires or wheel blades. Wheel blades are like small skis for your wheelchair. They'll help you ride smoothly over ice and snow. It's also a good idea to consider the addition of anti-tippers on your chair. That way, should you happen to hit a slick piece of ice, your chair won't tip over.
Ice-Proof Your Wheelchair Ramp
If you have a wheelchair ramp installed at your home, you need to take steps to ice-proof it. Without proper ice-proofing, your chair will slide right down the ramp, which could result in serious injuries for yourself.
Plastic Snow Shovel
During the snowy weather, the first piece of equipment you'll need for your wheelchair ramp is a plastic snow shovel. Metal shovels will leave gouges in your ramp, which could cause your chair to tip over if your wheels were to get caught up.
Liquid Deicer
When it comes to your ramp, you want a deicer that won't harm your wheelchair. That's why you need a liquid deicer. The liquid deicer will melt the ice without leaving the road salt residue that can damage your wheelchair.
Non-Skid Mat
In addition to the plastic shovel and the liquid deicer, you'll also need a non-skid mat. Without the non-skid mat, your ramp may become quite slippery during the winter. Your non-skid mat will give you the traction you need to navigate your ramp safely.
For more information, contact a wheelchair provider.