Updating the Home for Handicap Accessibility

Whether it’s to allow seniors to age comfortably at home, or making your home accessible after an unexpected change in circumstances, retrofitting the home for handicap accessibility is a task to be undertaken thoroughly and with great care.  While some aspects of retrofitting may seem obvious, you may not immediately think of others.  Here is a brief overview of what to consider when updating your home.  

Getting in and out of the home: 

• Driveway: in areas that experience inclement weather, ensure that the driveway is a safe route to enter the home. For instance, if it snows in winter, is it possible to shovel a clear route to the door?   

Garage: If you routinely park in the garage, ensure that there is enough room to move a wheelchair freely around the vehicle, or that there is enough space to maneuver a walker.

• Gates and doorframes are recommended to be at least 36 inches wide, and door thresholds should be no more than one-half inch in height. 


• Ramps are also recommended to span 36 inches, with as shallow a grade possible.  Where applicable, ensure the ramp can be completely cleared of snow, and has enough traction in rainy weather. 

Going up and down within the home:  

• If the handicap individual will have access to only one level, the home should have a clear exit, full kitchen and bath, plus living area, and bedroom on that level. 


• If that individual will have multi-level access, consider installing a chair lift or elevator for easy transport up and down stairs. 

In the kitchen:

• Cabinets and countertops: Standard-height countertops are often too tall for those in wheelchairs, so lower them, if possible. Other options are to keep regularly-used items within reaching distance, or to keep a reacher tool on hand. 


• Sink: To allow better access, remove cabinet doors below the sink so the individual can get as close as possible.  Also consider updating the faucet to a model with a hand-held or elongated spout, and with paddle-type lever handles. 

In the bathroom:

• Toilet: Standard models may be too low for handicapped individuals.  Consider replacing the existing toilet with a tall-height toilet, or installing a toilet seat riser.


• Shower: A hand-held showerhead, and a bench located inside the shower are 2 great ways to add comfort and safety. 


• Grab bars: Slips, trips and falls are always a concern for those with limited mobility, but especially in a area like the bathroom, where conditions are often wet and slippery.  Installing grab bars in the shower and near the toilet adds a good measure of safety.   

There are myriad ways to make your home safe and accessible to a handicapped individual.  This list is far from comprehensive, but should get you thinking about areas in the home that will require updating.  Medical supply companies offer products for accessibility, from the wheelchairs and walkers themselves to grab bars, shower benches, and lift chairs.  

More information is available from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which outlines federal regulations for public buildings and accessible housing (Fair Housing Act).  Professional organizations and consultants who are knowledgeable about the ADA also offer services to help assess your home’s individual needs.   While updating the home for handicap accessibility can seem an overwhelming task, helping a loved one to live comfortably in the home is invaluable. Taking the time to do the research, or enlisting the help of professionals for a thorough update is a gift beyond measure, one that will endure for years to come.

Source: http://www.symbiusmedical.com/updating-the-home-for-handicap-accessibility/

Symbius Medical Corporate Philosophy

With all the medical supply companies in the world, it’s hard to choose which is best for your needs. Unless you’re been referred to a specific company by a medical professional or a loved one, deciding which company to go with can be a bit like bobbing for apples. Researching online can complicate matters, with many medical supplies companies’ websites flashing images and sale prices across the screen. We believe it’s time for responsible, accountable medical equipment companies to take the lead in the healthcare industry; we’re leading by example.  

Things are different at Symbius, where customer service is our passion. We follow an unwritten philosophy: if you err on the side of the customer, you’ll never make a bad decision.  We truly care about the customer because we are also end-users. Keeping the customer top-of-mind is what drives us in everything we do, and we believe the right thing for you is the right thing for us. We tie our success to your success. If we do a great job for you then we know we are performing well as a home medical equipment company.   

We’re selling clinical expertise with every product, to every customer. In addition to exceptional customer service, every medical supply and product we offer is backed by the clinical expertise of our people. Medical supply home delivery is about much more than bringing the equipment to our customers. All Symbius employees undergo continuous training and education, so when your equipment or supplies arrives, our trained employee can answer your questions, and we encourage customers to call with any question they may have. We have been serving our customers nationwide for over 17 years, and we offer a 24-hour on-call service. Call our helpful customer service line today, to learn how we can help you.

Source: http://www.symbiusmedical.com/symbius-medical-corporate-philosophy/

Understanding Enteral Nutrition

Proper nutrition is imperative to maintaining strength and vitality; during illness or due to injury, a patient may not be able to process food normally.

Under these circumstances, enteral nutrition, or tube feeding, may be necessary to avoid malnourishment.  Symbius Medical provides the necessary supplies to accommodate in-home enteral nutrition. http://bit.ly/RnDLmP

Regional Home Medical Equipment and Supplies

When you depend on medical equipment in your day-to-day life, it’s imperative to choose a medical supplies and equipment provider with comprehensive service in your area. At Symbius, providing great care and service is much more than just a business to us. With almost 20 years in the home health care industry, and a number of employees who are end-users just like you, we understand the importance of responsive and respectful service. We hear it time and again from our customers, that our techs and reps were supportive not only in a professional capacity, but on a personal level as well.   

Symbius Medical operates throughout Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. Stocking over 10,000 medical supplies from leading manufacturers, we operate regionally which means we can get your supplies to you quickly – often on the same day, next-day when necessary. We supply delivery to your door nationwide, with a goal to meet the ever-growing needs of our home health care customers. We provide a full range of products and services for respiratory care, oxygen care, sleep therapy, custom rehab and power mobility, durable medical equipment (DME), urological, ostomy, wound care, diabetic and nutritional services.  

We offer 24-hour service and availability, prescription coordination and billing assistance, personalized product education and instruction, a patient mentoring program, and monthly supply management. In addition, our referral sources, payers and vendors partner with Symbius Medical to assist customers in navigating the national health care reform changes.  

Above all, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for our customers by providing exceptional service, education and compassionate care for the communities we serve. We believe the right thing for you is the right thing for us.

Source: www.symbiusmedical.com

Getting Started with In-Home Enteral Nutrition

Injury and illness can wreak havoc on a person’s body.  If hospitalized, the stress of unfamiliar surroundings and uncertain outcomes can add to the physical strain on the body.  During this time, it is imperative to maintain proper nutrition to keep up both strength and morale, to aid in the healing process.  When a patient is unable to process food in the usual way, an alternative method must be employed.  Enteral nutrition serves this purpose by feeding through a tube, into either the stomach or small intestine. Enteral nutrition is used for those who are not able to eat normally, but whose digestive system is still able to process sustenance.  Tube feeding is commonly seen in hospitals, but it is also a viable option for home health care – it is estimated that more than 344,000 people in the United States receive enteral nutrition at home.

Before beginning an enteral nutrition program, a patient should receive a nutrition assessment to determine daily caloric, protein, and fluid intake needs.  The assessment may take place in the hospital prior to discharge, in the physician’s office, or in the home, and should be completed by a registered dietician or a similarly-qualified health care professional. An accurate assessment is imperative to avoid malnutrition, and must also account for overcoming existing malnourishment, restoration of nutritional status, wound healing, and return or improvement of physical strength.  Based on the findings of the nutrition assessment, an appropriate formula will be prescribed.

At Symbius Medical, we make it easy to order your enteral products and supplies. We make it easy to reorder, too – contact our customer service department and learn more about our 3-month supply program.  To learn more about our enteral nutrition options, call us today at (800) 948-1868, or email us at Customer-Service@SymbiusMedical.com.

Source: www.symbiusmedical.com

Manage Your Diabetes During the Holidays

For the millions of diabetics living in the US, the holiday season adds additional concerns for both nutrition, and testing regimens. With daily routines interrupted, maintaining healthy habits can be a challenge.  Whether living with diabetes, or hosting someone with diabetes during the holiday season, there are many ways to enjoy the season healthfully.  

Read more: http://bit.ly/Tos2SK

Choosing Aids to Everyday Living

When you think of medical equipment, lift chairs and crutches may not be the first things that come to mind.  But aids to everyday living, which allow for greater ease of motion and a more functional living environment, can be equally important as other, more technical, equipment.  At Symbius Medical, we provide a comprehensive list of products to make everyday living easier.

Bath Safety Items & Accessories
Of the falls that occur within the home, approximately one-half of these occur in the bathroom.  To ensure our customers’ safety, we provide a host of products available to increase safety in this room.  In addition to commodes, we offer a variety of bathroom safety products designed for ease of transfer in and out your shower or tub. Raised toilet seats and toilet safety frames, and special bath safety items for bariatric home care round out our comprehensive selection of bathroom aids and accessories.

Walking Aids
When you depend on a walking aid to get you where you want to go, it’s imperative to be fitted correctly to the product that best suits your needs.  Whether you’re using crutches, or a rollator, a walker or a cane, Symbius Medical offers a variety of products to fit your needs, from youth to adult and bariatric. We specialize in quad canes, “T” Handle design, cane seats, and forearm crutches and carry a variety of walkers and rollators from leading manufacturers. For even greater functionality, we can provide accessories and replacement parts for your walker or rollator including baskets, bags, wheels, and trays.

Lift Chairs
At Symbius Medical we carry several lift chairs in a variety of colors and styles to make it easier for you to stand up from a seated position.  But before choosing a lift chair, consider how it will be used. Will you sleep in the chair?  Eat in the chair? Understanding how you intend to use the chair will help you make an informed decision.

Home Care Products
Through our on-line product catalog, we offer a variety of personal care and home accessories.  Our products include non-latex gloves and skin care products, medication dispensers and reachers.

When considering aids for yourself or a loved one, be sure you’re evaluating not only the specific piece of equipment, but need-related equipment, as well.  For example, for someone using a walker or rollator, after assessing accessibility in the home, you many consider installing railings near the toilet or in the shower for stability.

We’re here to help you every step of the way.  Our customer service representatives are available to answer your questions about aids to everyday living, and to help you decide what medical equipment is best for you or your loved one.

Source: www.symbiusmedical.com