Article - Making It Big!

Getting through life's daily chores can be like a math puzzle. Short or tall, performing some daily tasks can be problematic. Add in disease, age or the resulting impairment of an accident and the difficulty increases. When extra weight is added into the equation, the challenge multiplies. There are many daily living aids available that are indispensable to people who are big.

Do you have trouble reaching the back of your head or the bottom of your foot? There are long handled combs and brushes, back scrubbers and lotion applicators to help you reach those difficult areas. The sponge on a stick, the hand held shower and the Bottom Buddy provide additional options for maintaining hygiene in places that are hard to reach.

If bending over or crouching is tricky for you, dropping something on the floor becomes an obstacle to deal with. Reachers with rubber-tipped grips will let you pick up something as small as a dime without having to bend over. Voice activation may be able to save you the trouble of reaching at all. Voice activated switches let you turn lights or small appliances on or off by giving the appropriate verbal command.

Sometimes weight capacity is an issue for a product that is weight bearing. The staff at Dynamic Living has identified products that are specifically designed for people who are 300 pounds or more.

Products that will assist with standing and sitting include:

• Superpole Heavy Duty (capacity of 450 pounds) - a simple yet elegant floor to ceiling pole that provides sturdy and safe assistance for standing, as well as getting out of bed, out of a chair - anywhere you need it!

• Uplift Seat Assist (capacity of 350 pounds) - a self-powered lifting cushion that provides that extra lift needed to help you get in and out of any armchair on your own.

• Pride Lift Chair (capacity of 500 pounds) - Each recliner is built on a sturdy frame with a powerful (but quiet) motor. With a single push button control, you can command the chair to recline, sit up, raise or lower you.

These products will help you move from here to there:

• Oversized Rollator (capacity of 375 pounds) has a seat and width that is generously sized.

• Beasy Transfer Boards (capacity of 400 pounds) - provide assistance when moving from a seat to a wheelchair or vice versa.

More aids for the bath:

• Teak Bath Chair - Our lightweight Teak Stool only weighs 9 lbs but will support up to 300 pounds.

• Most commonly available scales have a weight capacity of 250 pounds. This talking scale can handle up to 550 lbs!

People who are generously sized can have more independence and perform routine daily tasks with ease when they have the right tools and aids to work with. Look for versions of the products that are specifically designed to handle a higher weight capacity.

© Copyright 2003 Dynamic Living, Inc.
Dynamic Living Newsletter may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission from the editor must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.

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