| Having a well designed ramp at your elder's home | | | | permanent ramp that is connected with bolts, |
| - or at your home if your elder lives with you - | | | | clamps and braces be installed. |
| can go a long way in increasing the mobility of | | | | While a professionally installed ramp can be |
| your elder and providing them with a sense of | | | | expensive, there are some medical insurance |
| independence. Opening up the outside world to | | | | policies that will cover at least a portion of the |
| elders living by themselves can have a | | | | expense of installing a permanent ramp. Of |
| tremendous impact on their outlook on life in | | | | course, this would be dependant on having a |
| general as well. In addition, a ramp can also be a | | | | doctors prescription and medical justification for it. |
| huge help to caregivers as well. | | | | There are additional funding options as well, |
| That a ramp is "well designed" is obviously very | | | | including community agencies, organizations and |
| critical. Any ramp you build or have built for your | | | | churches. |
| elder needs to have hand rails on both sides to | | | | In addition to local funding options for a ramp, |
| prevent a potentially serious injury from falling off | | | | there is a federally funded project called |
| the sides. In addition, makeshift ramps are | | | | ABLEDATA that provides consumers, |
| inherently dangerous. Don't fall into the trap of | | | | professionals and caregivers information pertaining |
| thinking a simply piece of plywood with a couple | | | | to assistive technology that is available. There are |
| of railings is going to be good enough. You've got | | | | nearly 20,000 products in their database that |
| make sure the incline is not too steep or uneven. | | | | include pricing, manufacturers, contact info. and |
| A ramp that's not anchored could easily collapse | | | | product reviews from current owners of the |
| as well. | | | | various products. Included in this database are |
| The best way to go about determining what kind | | | | ramps of all types, including vehicle ramps, |
| of ramp is best for your situation is to check with | | | | threshold ramps and building ramps. You can reach |
| your elder's doctor or rehab facility. They'll let you | | | | ABLEDATA at |
| know if a ramp if your best bet in helping your | | | | Adding a ramp to your elder's home can be a |
| elder with mobility issues. They will also let you | | | | godsend to both your elder, yourself and any |
| know if they feel you'll be able to utilize a portable | | | | other caregiver that may be involved with your |
| ramp. Portable ramps can be much cheaper and | | | | elder's care. Just be sure you have it |
| you'll have the ability to move them from location | | | | professionally installed so that it the installation is |
| to location. They aren't always the answer, | | | | done correctly and it is as safe as possible. |
| however. Most situations will require that a | | | | |