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When one thinks of a mobility scooter, the first thought often revolves around increased mobility for seniors or individuals with reduced mobility. However, the benefits extend far beyond simply being able to move about. The daily use of a mobility scooter offers a range of physical and mental benefits, contributing to an improved quality of life for its users.

Light Physical Activity

One of the first things that come to mind is physical activity. Even though it may seem modest, operating a mobility scooter involves a certain level of physical activity, especially compared to the alternative of sitting all day. While it does not replace regular exercise, it still keeps muscles moving and improves blood circulation, which can be beneficial for cardiovascular health and preventing muscle atrophy.

Social Stimulation

Another often overlooked advantage is the social stimulation that comes with using a mobility scooter. By enabling users to move more easily, it opens up new opportunities for meeting and socializing with others. Whether it’s attending community events, visiting friends, or simply strolling around the neighborhood, the mobility scooter becomes a tool that facilitates social interactions, thereby reducing the isolation and loneliness often associated with aging.

Increased Independence

One of the most valuable aspects of using a mobility scooter is the independence it provides to its users. No longer do they have to constantly rely on others for daily transportation. With a mobility scooter, users regain a sense of control over their own lives, which can have a profound impact on their self-esteem and mental well-being. It allows them to continue living life on their own terms, despite the mobility challenges they may face.

Improved Quality of Life

Overall, the daily use of a mobility scooter contributes to an overall improvement in quality of life for its users. By offering the ability to stay active, maintain social connections, and retain independence, the mobility scooter becomes much more than just a means of transportation. It becomes a faithful companion that accompanies them on their daily journey, providing support and freedom at every turn.

In conclusion, the physical and mental benefits of daily use of a mobility scooter are numerous and significant. By promoting physical activity, socialization, independence, and an overall better quality of life, the mobility scooter proves to be a valuable tool for seniors or individuals with reduced mobility who seek to remain active, engaged, and autonomous in their daily lives.

Living with an ostomy condition is a challenge in and of itself. So why complicate things with the wrong ostomy system and supplies? Of course, the best person to determine what kind of ostomy care you need is your healthcare practitioner, but it is also a good rule of thumb to explore and inform yourself of the option and best practices on the market. By educating yourself and exploring the possibilities, you will be better equipped to understand your healthcare provider’s recommendations and will be better prepared for the challenges and realities of living with a stoma. 

One-Piece or Two-Piece Pouching System? 

Although there is a slew of ostomy care systems, they tend to be categorized under two terms: one-piece and two-piece systems. A single piece system, as the name suggest, is an all-in-one option that includes both the bag and the skin-barrier. You simply have to attach the skin barrier to the stoma and the system is ready to go. This simple to use system is perfect for those who have difficulty with their eyesight or fine motor skills. It is, also, a more affordable option.

The two-piece systems are more complex, but they offer a more calibrated system adjusted to the user’s needs. The pouch and the skin barrier are attached together using a plastic ring called the flange, making it possible to replace each part individually. You can also remove the bag without removing the skin barrier, simplifying the process of changing the pouch when full or when the situation calls for a different kind of pouch. 

The Right Skin Barrier for You 

The skin barrier, or wafer, is the most important part of the system when the health of your stoma is concerned. This is the part that protects your peristomal skin from secretions and leakage, and holds the stoma open for the drainage pouch. You should keep an eye on your skin hygiene around the skin barrier. It is often overlooked, but skin health is important for the proper function of your ostomy and for your all-around comfort. It is a good practice to avoid harsh soaps and to use lukewarm water to clean around the edge of the skin barrier. This will help maintain a healthier skin. 

The form of the barrier will depend of your stoma’s shape and opening. Some can be cut to accommodate an oval shaped stoma while others are round and shouldn’t be cut. Furthermore, the area and level of protrusion will affect which type of protection to use. Flat skin barriers are usually suited to a stoma of sufficient length located on a flat part of the abdomen. Convex skin barriers are used to accommodate stomas that are flush with the skin, are retracted slightly or are located in fatty tissue and skin folds. If your stoma has formed a lump beneath the skin or if it has herniated, then a concave skin barrier is the better choice. You may also need to add a barrier ring to your wafer to conform to a stoma retracted too far. This will help form a better seal and keep things out of where they shouldn’t be. 

Rigidity and flexibility also vary. Firm barriers better hold a stoma in place while more supple wafers offer more flexibility and may be worn for longer periods without discomfort. The type of ostomy and other health factors will help to determine the level of rigidity and how long the barrier should be worn. As a general rule of thumb, if you have an ileostomy or urostomy, if your output is generally liquid of extra soft, or you tend to sweat a lot it is best to use a firm barrier flatly secured for a longer period. This helps to avoids accidents and complications associated with frequent changes. If you have a colostomy, your waste is well formed and your skin is healthy and in good condition you may opt for a regular use barrier that is softer and less firmly attached, making it easier to change. 

The person in the best position to answer these questions is your doctor or other healthcare practitioner. They will be able to guide you towards the right equipment, usage and solutions regarding your particular condition. For example, a sensitive skin that reacts to adhesives should be dealt with swiftly before further complications occur. In this case, your doctor would most likely recommend a skin barrier with no adhesive. 

The Use Is in the Bag 

The final piece of the puzzle is the bag. Ostomy pouches come in different sizes and features, such as filters and closure systems. Drainable pouches a preferable is you waste is liquid and high in volume. You will usually have to drain the bag more often if you have a urostomy. Closed bags are preferable used for low volume or was that is too solid for a valve system to function properly.  

Bags can also be opaque or clear. Transparent bags are useful if you need to keep an eye on your stool health, or to ensure that no complications arise with your ostomy. Opaque pouches are more of an aesthetic option. They hide the content of the bad which is preferable if no monitoring is needed. It is often appreciated by relatives (or the user) that might be squeamish. 

Ultimately, your healthcare specialist will be the one to help you determine which ostomy pouching system meets your needs. Even so, it’s still a good practice to explore the products and solutions offered on the market. This way, you will be better prepared, informed and ready to ask pertinent questions to your doctor. Here at Équipements adaptés MCL, we have the resources and information to help you discover what options are available and what kind of products exist. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need help exploring the different ways of supporting your ostomy and to find the comfort you deserve. 

A power lift recliner is usually recommended for elderly people who have trouble getting up or sitting down. But are there are other types of chairs suitable for other situations? Well… Yes! If you are limited in mobility and dexterity, then that condition affects you outside the living room as well. As luck would have it, LPA Medical has a complete lineup of specialized healthcare seating designed for comfort and, most of all, safety. 

Thera-Glide Self-Locking Glider Chairs 

Everybody loves a good rocking chair. But their moving frame makes them a tad unstable to get in or out. Not the safest seating option for someone requiring extra support. The armrests, seat and backrest all move when trying to brace against them for support, making it a risky endeavor. The auto-locking gliding chair is the safest way to enjoy a good rocking. With its nifty locking mechanism situated in the backrest, the chair only moves once a person is fully and safely seated. The chair locks as soon as weight is removed from the back trigger, letting someone push off the armrests that are now standing sturdy. A much, much safer alternative. 

The chairs are built using a wide variety of measurements, types of backrests, framing materials and upholstery. There is a Thera-Glide chair out there for you, whether it be for personal or institutional use. 

Versatile Tilting Room Chairs 

Designed by healthcare professional for healthcare professionals, the Versatile room chair is often seen in hospital rooms and other institutions. The height of these high back chairs is adjustable, letting you get in and out with more ease. The backrest is reclinable for extra comfort. In fact, this room chair is more than a recliner, as it also tilts forwards. By tilting the chair forward, it is much easier to get up and safer to transfer to another surface. 

As an institutional tool, the Versatile patient chair are robust and covered with upholstery resistant to liquids and antimicrobial soaps. The metal frame is solid, it’s easy to clean and has options and accessories. As a high back patient room chair, the Versatile takes the cake. 

Utility Adjustable and Stackable Chairs

In some cases, a smaller solution is needed as a bigger chair would be too cumbersome. The perfect example is at the dining table where most chairs are too low. A straight chair is ideal, but our high backrest room chairs might be a tad too large in this case. This is where the Utility multipurpose stacking chairs come in the picture. They are easy to clean, the height is adjustable, weighed for extra stability and have a few accessories (such as front wheels) for particular situations and needs. A perfect solution to get the right support at the right height in the dining room or working at your desk. 

Although useful in the home, these chairs were actually designed and developed for long-term care environments such as retirement homes, clinics and the like. They are robustly constructed and durable yet comfortable. Easy to clean and designed with antimicrobial materials. Stackable, equipped with handles, and simple to use, these chairs are an excellent solution in dining rooms, waiting rooms and common areas. 

Finally, LPA Medical produces a wide range of medical that are convenient, simple to maintain, easy to clean and most of all that are safe. Whether for your home or institutional residence, the self-locking Thera-Glide gliders, the tilting Versatile patient room chair, and the Utility multipurpose stacking chairs are comfortable and reliable options. More often than not if a power lift chair is recommended to you, other options might work just as well.  

At Équipements adaptés MCL, you can be certain that we will find the medical chair perfectly suited to your needs and usage. We have access to a wide range of medicalized seating and it would be our pleasure to help you in your process.

Every body is unique. As such, there are a myriad of sizes and fittings of bras. Finding the right one for you can become a struggle and result in many discomforting tryouts. Furthermore, the changes brought to the body by a mastectomy need proper consideration or else we risk bringing even more discomfort and health complicationswith the wrong bra. Think about it, up to two women out of three wear a bra which is ill-suited to their bodies. Fortunately, an adjustment specialist can guide you through your measurements and help you pick the right bra from the many available products on the market.

Adapted Bras for Unique Bodies 

Your body is unique, and to be truly comfortable, you need the right bra fitted to your size. To guarantee your comfort, there are many factors to consider. 

Firstly, the cup: there are many cup forms, and the right one depends on the size of your rib-cage and the width of your breasts. The whole width of a breast is calculated from below the clavicle to just under your armpit. With the right cup size, the breast won’t overflow, nor will it stay loosely unsupported. For example, some models such as the Dorothy is specially fitted for a more shallow bust. Of course, the trained eye of our adjustment specialist will tell you precisely which cup size fits you best. 

Secondly, your general posture will determine the right bust size and the shape of the bra. To prevent the shoulder straps from slipping off, or the underwire from hurting you, it is very important that the bust size be right for you. If the back band is too tight, you will quickly find it uncomfortable. If it is too loose, it will slip upwards. If the shoulder straps are too long, they will tend to slip off, if they are too tight, they will dig painfully into your shoulders. If the bust strap is too loose, the bra will slip upwards from the front, but if it is too tight, skin bulges will form under your arms. Furthermore, the context in which you will wear the bra is also an important factor. During an exercise session, for instance, it usually is wise to wear a specially designed bra for such activities, like the Amoena Sport Performance.

To adequately take your posture into account, we have to observe whether or not your upper back is leaning forward or not, measure precisely your torso, and know which type of mastectomy you have received, if any. In some situations, it is preferable to consider better back-support for the bra, especially for those with a large bust. In these cases, models like the Mandy Silhouette are designed precisely to releive the shoulders with a set of special elastic straps. Again, our specialist will easily be able to take all these measurements and provide you with the right assistance to help you find the right comfortable bra you need.

Mastectomy and Torso Balance

Be it partial or total, a mastectomy has a significant impact on a woman’s body. With regards to bras, removing a breast unbalances the torso, which can cause postural complications to the shoulders and back. In such cases, choosing the right bra can help you in rebalancing your torso. 

With already a multitude of factors to consider when choosing a bra, taking a mastectomy into account isn’t a simple task. The type of surgery, whether it be total or partial, whether or not you wear a prosthetic, will have a significant and unequal impact on the measurements required for your bust, which complicates the choice of your bra. Specialized bras are designed specifically to receive and hold a prosthetic in place in order to rebalance comfortably your torso. Such products provide balance to your upper back and shoulders in order to prevent further complications to your surgery. These specialized bras are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes in order to comfortably fit every possible combination of measurements and surgery types. 

As you have found out, picking the right bra, especially following a mastectomy, can easily prove to be much more elaborate an ordeal than we might believe. Luckily, here at Équipements Adaptés MCL, we have access to a wide variety of specialized bras which, without being custom-fitted, will be well fitted to your unique body. Our adjustment specialist will be able to assist you by taking the measurements you need in order to help you pick the right item for your personal comfort.

With over 20 years of experience, we can help you to find the best bras you need, and replace the ill-fitting and uncomfortable ones with the right tools that will bring you great figure and comfort beyond age and illness. 

Hip and knee surgeries are simultaneously a source of hope and anxiety. On one hand, we hope they will cure our chronic pains and bring our mobility back. On the other hand, rehabilitation can seem too imposing an obstacle. Normally, your health specialist should be able to inform you about all that pertains to your surgery. Once back home, you will need a list mobility aids, hygiene aids and daily life assitance tools to facilitate your recovery. Take some time before your surgery to evaluate your personnal needs and prepare yourself in advance. That way, you won’t need to shop at the last minute.

Canes, Walkers and Other Mobility Aids 

After hip or knee surgery, you won’t be able to walk normally for a few weeks. Although your recovery should be swift, you will need a walker to move around your home in the first days. A simple walker, equipped with wheels and skis, will let you walk while relieving your injured leg. After your leg has recovered enough, a walking cane can serve the same function. 

Take care to notice the obstacles present in your home. For example, you probably won’t be able to climb up and down stairs during the first few days. It is then possible that you won’t have easy access to your bed and bathroom. In such circumstances, renting a hospital bed and acquiring a commode chair would let you sleep and relieve yourself without taking any risks with the stairs.

Reachers, Sock Aids and Other Dressing Aids 

You might be recovering from surgery, but you will still need to dress yourself. With hip replacement surgery in particular, it is important to avoid leaning and bending over, and bringing your knees towards your torso. With that in mind, you will need tools to put on pants and socks. A reacher is a versatile tool that lets you pick up objects from the ground and helps you with dressing yourself. Sock aids are a tool that helps you put on socks. By rolling the sock or stocking on the aid, and then by pushing your foot through the opening while holding the straps, the sock should roll onto your foot. Shoehorns can also assist you in putting on and removing your shoes without leaning over. 

Toilet Seats, Long-Handled Scrubbers and Other Hygiene Aids

Hip or knee surgery recovery can take a few weeks. Even though you will mostly be resting, you will still need to wash yourself and use your toilet. While a commode chair is a good solution for the first days of recovery, you will be able to go to your bathroom soon enough. During the recovery of both hip and knee surgeries, a raised toilet seat and safety frame are useful. For hip surgery in particular, since it is important that your knees never bend higher than your hip when sitting, raising the seat of your toilet might be necessary. For knee surgery, the safety frames will help you stand back up without leaning on your injured knee. 

To bathe yourself, you won’t be able to stand for a very long time, especially if you’re balancing on a single foot. A shower stool, set at the right height, will let you sit down when washing, preventing fatigue and pain caused by your surgery. An anti-skid rubber shower mat is also useful, potentially preventing a disastrous fall. For the bath, since you won’t be able to securely stand back up, you will need a bath bench. Comfortably seated on such a bench, you will be able enter, exit and wash yourself with a washcloth or a handheld shower  

Finally, there is a long list of products designed to facilitate your recovery. Take some time before your surgery to figure out your particular needs with regards to mobility, dressing and hygiene. That way, you will be able to anticipate the challenges you might face during your surgery recovery. You can also pay us a visit at Équipements Adaptés MCL, where we will be able to help you figure out what tools you really need. 

Here to find your Mobility, Comfort and Liberty!

Of all the rooms in a house, the bathroom is easily the most dangerous for everyday life. The springiest of youths risk serious injuries in the event of a nasty fall in the shower or bathtub. All too often, such injuries can significantly degrade the quality of life for an elderly person. A hip or femur fracture can sadly lead to diminished autonomy, which can then lead to medical needs making home care impossible. Prevention is your best option here. 

Let’s start with the bathtub. This big water reservoir, soothing source of comfort and cleanliness, can quickly become a trap for those with limited mobility. First, the surroundings of the tub and its interior can be slippery when wet. Then, the sides of the bath can be treacherous to step over. Finally, it can be an strenuous task to stand back up from the bath from a lying position. 

How Can You Secure the Bath and Its Surroundings ?

The surroundings of the bathtub can be made safer by the installation of wall-mounted grab bars. But where should you install the bars to provide the safest support when taking a bath or a shower ? The answer might seem banal, but it is really that simple: put the bars where they will be easiest to grab. Generally, a vertical bar can be placed at elbow-height on the wall along the edge of the tub. A second bar is placed on the wall opposite to the entry point of the bath. That bar can be placed horizontally or diagonally to provide multiple angles of prehension. In any case, a well-positioned grab bar will provide you with a sturdy point from which to hold yourself in and around the tub. Furthermore, in the event of a fall, they might just give you the chance to catch yourself, preventing the worst injuries.  

That said, the best bars are screwed into the wall. While some suction-cup bars are available, they really are only useful to assist with the balance of the user, not to support their whole weight. If you were ever to grab unto it while falling, it is probable that the bar will detach itself from the wall. 

How to Safely Step Over the Side of a Bathtub ? 

The riskiest moment of taking a bath is that moment when you step over the side of the tub. Balancing on a single foot, stepping on wet acrylic, it is prudent to have something to hold on to. A wall-mounted grab bar can provide that support, as could a bath safety rail. Depending on the shape of your tub, it might be possible to affix a safety rail directly on the side of the bath. Such a handle gives you a sturdy grip while preventing the need to drill through your bathroom walls to install bars. 

It is also possible to circumvent the need to walk over the bath in the first place by using a bath board or a transfer bench. A bath board is installed directly on top of the tub. A transfer bench is a legged bench that has half of its length sticking out of the bath. Both options provide you with the ability to sit from the outside of the bath to then slide inside the tub.  

How Do I Stand Up from a Bath Safely ?

In order to reduce the strains of standing back up from your bath, a few solutions could be implemented. First, we could remove the need to sit at the bottom of the tub. With a legged bath chair, you would be comfortably seated at a right height to make standing back up easier. The main inconvenience of this type of chair is the fact you won’t be submerged in water, meaning you will have to wash yourself with a hand-held shower or a sponge.

A bath lift is a bath chair with a motor designed to lower you to the bottom of the tub and then lift you back up. Activated with a hand controller, you will be in control the movements of the chair as it lowers you in and out of the water. At the press of a button, you will be brought back up to the edge of the tub, from where you can stand out from it. The side-flaps provide a similar use to a bath board, from which you will be able to slide in and out of the tub without having to step into it. These bath lifts cost more than regular bath chairs, but for long-term home-care, they are worth it. 

Finally, there are many options to adapt and secure your bath and bathroom in order to reduce the risk of falls. With all these solutions, you will be able to protect your autonomy and health in the comfort of your home for much longer. 

Here to find your Mobility, Comfort and Liberty !

What could be more pleasant than a stroll in the park ? With the warm sun on your skin, a cool breeze through your hair, one can admire the scenery and enjoy the fresh air. But as time moves on in our lives, it is possible your legs no longer let you walk over long distances. A rollator is the ideal tool for these situations. With its four wheels and seat, one can take a rest whenever fatigue sets in. Beyond the specifications of the rollator itself, one needs to carefully consider the way it is used. The adjustments, usage and maintenance all have a drastic impact on the usability and choice of your rollator.

How to Adjust a Rollator ?

To truly enjoy your rollator, it needs to be comfortable. To provide the best comfort, the rollator needs to be adequately adjusted to your size. Obviously, as no two people is the same, there is truly no single formula for each and everyone. But each can find their comfort by following these simple tips and trics.

Firstly, the handles need to be at the right height. If they are too low, we’ll be inclined to lean forward on the handles, or to have our elbows in a hyperextended position. If the handles are too high, we’ll have a tendency to push the rollator as if it was a shopping cart, meaning it won’t provide any support. It is also possible that we keep our arms folded up, pushing our shoulders upwards into an uncomfortable position. Ideally, we adjust the handles by standing upright while looking far off to the horizon, and letting our arms fall alongside the body. The handles should reach the wrist bone, or where a watch bracelet would be. 

How to Walk With a Rollator ? 

Once the rollator is adjusted accordingly, you simply have to put one foot before the other. No ? Not quite. 

To keep a good posture when walking with a rollator, it is important to keep its handles close to the hips. That way, we can sturdily brace oneself in the event of a loss of balance. Furthermore, if we keep the handles too far away from us, it is possible that the rollator slides on the ground, even if the brakes a correctly engaged. Finally, holding the handles too far away encourages us to lean forward, rounding our back. This is both uncomfortable, and can lead to complications with regards to our posture. 

Beyond the positioning of the rollator relative to us, we need to be careful of the surface on which we use it. A rollator is appropriate for relatively smooth surfaces, such as cement sidewalks, asphalt walkways and well-maintained trails. However, grass, sand, loose gravel and snow make walking very difficult with a rollator. 

How to maintain a rollator ?

With a little luck, you’ll enjoy your strolls often enough that you’ll start to wear out your rollator. Generally, the brakes are the first to need repairs. Usually made of steel, the brake cables eventually stretch out and the wheels no longer lock in place after prolonged use. We can usually tighten the brake cables with the adjustment bolts near the wheel. Then, and especially if you go out during winter, the wheel bearings can fill with gunk and rust. When that happens, the rollator will be harder to push, and might even roll towards a particular side.  

To walk safely and comfortably and enjoy the outdoors, you can’t just buy any rollator. You have to take care to use your tools the right way. Here at Équipements Adaptés MCL, we know that the right rollator is more than its specifications sheet and its price. This is why we will teach you how to properly adjust, use and take care of your rollator. If you ever need repairs to be done on your rollator, it will be our pleasure to repair your it right here in our shop. 

Here to help you find Mobility, Comfort and Liberty

With spring around the corner, it’s time to start considering leaving your winterly cocoon and enjoy the warm sun and fresh air. It’s an unfortunate reality that some people suffer from health conditions precluding them from enjoying the warm weather during a lovely stroll at the park, or at the mall. If one can’t walk for very long, a mobility scooter is an excellent tool to bring back your freedom to go outside. 

Mobility scooters are wonderful vehicules, available in a myriad of sizes to fit as many particular needs, all distinct from one another. From this, it might seem difficult to parsoose through the many choices offered to us. As you will soon see, there is a single attribute that influences your choice : Size. It denotes it’s use, it’s range, the places it can be driven in, and it’s price. 

Where Can I Drive my Scooter ?

Each model of mobility scooter is designed to be used in a specific context. For indoor use, electric wheelchairs and small scooters are ideal. For outdoor use, we mostly recommend bigger scooters, which have a more comfortable seat and suspension, as well as bigger batteries providing greater range. 

Electric wheelchairs are motorized seats designed to be agile and fit through cramped spaces, such as inside an apartment. It shares many of it’s uses with a manual wheelchair, and in some ways serves to replace the legs of it’s user. Small scooters are often foldable, or can be easily disassembled, making them handily carried inside a car. As such, they can be very useful when going to the mall or inside large buildings. 

Big scooters are designed to provide the best range and comfort for the rider when going on outdoor strolls. With their bigger wheels, better suspension and seating, these scooters are ideal to go around parks and on bike lanes or trails.

For those hoping to use their scooters both inside and out, some intermediate-sized scooters are available. These scooters are a compromise between the other two categories. They are neither foldable nor can they be disassembled, but they are compact enough to be safely driven indoors. They don’t have the range, nor the comfort of bigger, more luxurious scooters, but they still have adequately sized batteries and suspensions to bring you some autonomy and comfort when driving on sidewalks.

How Do I Maintain my Scooter ?

The size of your scooter will dramatically influence the amount of maintenance you will need to provide to it. Smaller scooters usually have solid puncture-proof tires, and the battery packs are generally detachable, making recharging them easy. Furthermore, it’s small size usually means you’ll be able to store it inside your home without cluttering up the space too much. 

Bigger scooters need greater care. Such vehicles are often fitted with pneumatic tires. Those need to be reinflated often, otherwise they will wear out faster, putting you at risk of flats. The batteries need to be fully recharged at every use. Even with a greater range, leaving batteries without a full charge will wear them down faster, reducing their lifetime and efficiency. Furthermore, the large size of such scooters mean they need an adequate storage room, or properly equipped shed. 

How Much do Mobility Scooter Cost ?

If you intend to buy a mobility scooter, keep in mind that the size of a scooter has a significant impact on it’s cost. With exception of electric wheelchairs, which have their own pricing scale based on their options, the bigger a scooter is, the more luxurious and costly it will be. 

Generally, you can find a small-sized scooter for around three thousand dollars, including batteries and necessary accessories. An intermediate-sized scooter, capable of a range of at least 25 km, starts at around five thousand dollars. Finally, bigger scooters capable of the greatest of comfort and longest of rides can reach prices of over seven thousand dollars. 

How to Choose ?

To choose the right scooter, you have to evaluate your particular needs, as well as your means. Here, at Équipements Adaptés MCL, we suggest that you consider what we call the “80-20 Rule“. Think of the usage you will need of a scooter 80 % of the time, and pick the right scooter for that use. The other 20 %, the scooter will be less handy, but this compromise will save you from having to buy a second vehicle. 

In any case, it would be our pleasure to guide you through your search. Don’t hesitate to peroose the fact sheets of the scooters we have to offer, and to contact one of our specialists to learn more about the scooter that best fits your needs.

Find Mobility, Confort and Liberty !

At the heart of your living room, the right chair can provide you with great comfort while watching television, or better yet, while reading a good book. But if you struggle to get in and out of your chair, a power lift recliner might be the right solution for you. With it’s motorized seat, these chairs work for you as they prop you up until you can easily finish standing. That way, you don’t have to exhaust yourself standing up, and prevents you from collapsing in it when sitting. 

A lift chair is generally a bit more expensive than a regular chair. Although most can find the right chair for about two thousand dollars, some lift recliners can cost up to three thousand dollars. With that in mind, it is paramount that the chair you buy be the best one for you. It needs to be the right size, to have the right functionalities, but more importantly: you need to like it. 

How to Pick the Right Size Lift Chair? 

People come in all shapes and sizes, and so do lift chairs. Often, people choose recliners which are too large for them. This can make it challenging to use and cause chronic discomforts. The right width of a lift chair seat is the width of your thighs plus a single hand. This prevents the seat from being too narrow, making it too tight, and also prevents it from being too wide, where you might sit in a crooked position. To find the right depth, when sitting upright at the complete back of the seat, you should still have the room to pass a finger between the inside of your knee and the end of the chair seat. For the height, it is important that both your feet be sturdily and flat on the ground when you are standing up. The backrest should also be high enough to adequately support your head. The footrest, when extended, shouldn’t reach your heels, as it should reach up to your Achilles’ tendons. All these measurements will help you in finding the perfect chair for your size, providing both comfort and safety. 

Which Lift Chair Model is the Right One?

Beyond the size of it, lift chairs are available with different functionalities. All of them will lift you, but some of them have options that can either bring you additional comfort, or needless complexity. The single-function lift chairs have their lifting and reclining mechanism on a single motor, meaning both the backrest and footrest move at the same time. The double-function chairs have their footrests and backrests independent of one another, meaning they can be adjusted separately. The quad-function lift chairs have additional motors in the backrest. This means the footrests and backrests are independent of on another, and the backrest itself has adjustable cervical and lumbar cushions. All these functions provide you with a custom-fitted positioning. But remember: who says more functions also says more buttons on the controller. While a single-function’s hand controller only has two buttons, a quad-function one has ten. 

If you plan on sleeping in your chair, some can recline far enough backwards to provide a comfortable sleeping position. If necessary, some can even reach the Trendelenburg position. With the right model, you’ll be able to find the comfort that you deserve. 

In what Colours are Lift Chairs Available? 

Once custom-fitted to your needs, the right chair would be in a colour that you like. All our lift chairs are covered in fabric. Leather is not an adequate cover for these types of chairs, as they are too slippery when lifting up. As for the colour, our chair manufacturers like Pride, Golden or Elran provide a few choices for every particular models. The delivery delays can vary depending on the availability of each. 

As you have noticed, there are many measurements and decisions to take before buying a power lift chair. To help you make the right choice, take advantage of our expertise by paying us a visit at Équipements Adaptés MCL. Here, you’ll be able to try out some of our models to find what power lift recliner best fits your needs. Our experts will also be able to answer any questions you might have, and assist you in making your choice, so that you find your comfort.

What should you look for when buying a used mobility scooter ?  

 Buying a brand new mobility scooter can seem to expensive for a retired person. Buying a used one might be more affordable, but be warned : It’s only true if the scooter doesn’t need repairs. For a wise purchase, make sure you know what you are buying. 

 How much is the mobility scooter worth ? 

 Firstly, make sure you know precisely what you are looking to buy. Note down the brand and model of the mobility scooter. Some manufacturers don’t distribute spare parts, making them impossible to repair. Some scooters aren’t actually mobility scooters but electric mopeds, which can’t legally be used in the same way. It is also useful compare the value when new, so you can negotiate a reasonable price. At Équipements Adaptés M.C.L. Inc., we have a great choice for new mobility scooters. Check with us for the value of the scooter you’re looking for. 

What is the mobility scooter’s history ? 

Secondly, it can be important to know the history of the mobility scooter. Is the scooter being sold by the person using it, or by their family ? Obviously, the person using it knows the most about it’s wear and the way it has been driven. Sadly, many mobility scooters are sold by the family when dealing with their succession. In these cases, the seller might not know the vehicule. Furthermore, it is important to make sure the scooter doesn’t have the Ministerial Program’s attribution plaque. Those scooters are issued and belong to the government of Quebec. 

Do the scooter’s tires need replacing ? 

Thirdly, take a close look the tires and body of the mobility scooter. Depending on its use, the scooter’s tires might need to be replaced every year in order to prevent flats. Inspect the rubber close to the rim. If it is cracked or fissured, the tire has dried and has a greater chance of breaking. If the thread is worn down, the tires need to be replaced. Keep in mind scooter pneumatic tires cost around one hundred dollars a pair. Flat-free tires cost about double. The body of the scooter denotes the maintenance and storage of the mobility scooter. A broken shroud generally speak of a negligent or carefree usage of the scooter. In the worst cases, a broken structural frame can show the scooter was in an accident and might entail other defects. 

How much are the mobility sooter’s batteries worth ?

Finaly, check up on the electronic components and the batteries. The electronics are easy to inspect. Simply try all the accessories such as horns and blinker lights. The batteries generally have a normal lifespan of two years, but can quickly break down if badly maintained. Often, if the mobility scooter has been in storage, and not enough care was put into it, the batteries can be significantly damaged and need to be replaced. The batteries need to be fully charge once every other week to maintain their longevity when in storage. Changing batteries costs a few hundred dollars, depending on their amperage capacity. For example, 100 AH batteries cost three times as much as 30 AH, for a replacement costing over a thousand dollars. 

Is it worth it to buy a used scooter ?

As you’ve noticed, the potential repairs on a mobility scooters can mount up to a substantial amout. It is therfore important to find the value of the model when brand new, to know if the parts are available, and to find out the condition of the vehicle. Sometimes, the model is discontinued and the parts are no longer available. Othertimes, the parts are simply not sold by the manufacturer. In these cases, avoid buying the scooter, as you won’t be able to repair it in the future. 

Have us inspect what you want to buy.  

We can provide you with further expertise. Here at Équipements Adaptés M.C.L. Inc., we can inspect the mobility scooter for you, and perform a complete test of the batteries. We’ll inspect the tires, the body and the batteries, so you know with great detail precicely what is due to be repaired on the scooter. We’ll tell you the age of the scooter, and whether or not the parts are still available for that particular model. In other words, we can tell you whether or not the mobility scooter is worth what is asked for it.