Author Archives: Brett F

Studies show that slips and falls in the bathroom are the number one cause for injury for the elderly. When the shower floors are slippery from running water or the outside of the tub is moist due to steam, slipping can be easy, especially for elderly individuals.  If you or a loved one are too weak to walk to the bathroom, stand in the shower, or safely get on/off the toilet, you may benefit from some of these items for bath safety for the elderly. Check out this list of the top seven bath safety items for the elderly! Best Items For Bath Safety for the Elderly 1. Shower Seat Shower seats are chairs, stools, or benches that allow individuals to sit in the shower instead of standing. If an elderly individual has a difficult time standing for long periods and cannot lower themselves into a bath, a shower seat may be a great option. For instance, the Deluxe Aluminum Bath Chair has an adjustable height, skid-resistant suction feet, and drainage holes, so water doesn’t pool in the seat. The chair is also lightweight, making it easy to set in your bathtub or shower. 2. Commode Commodes are similar to bath chairs, but they have a built-in toilet so patients can use the toilet without leaving the shower or bath. If an elderly patient has an illness, injury, or disability that prevents them from using the toilet on their own or making it to the toilet on time, a shower commode may be a helpful option. The Folding Steel Commode, for instance, has a foldable steel frame with a snap-on plastic seat and lid. The 12 qt. bucket has a carrying handle and is easy to clean up. The chair also folds down for easy storage. 3. Transfer Bench Transfer benches are similar to shower chairs, except they are built with easy transfer in mind. In other words, these benches make it easier to move a patient from a wheelchair to the shower and vice versa. If you or your patient cannot support themselves or has limited mobility, a transfer bench may be a good option. The K.D. Padded Transfer Bench has a comfortable cushioned seat and backrest for comfortable showers. The aluminum frame is lightweight and easy to move, but the feet have strong suction cups, so the chair is stable in the bath. 4. Shower Wheelchair Shower wheelchairs are ideal for large, open showers because you can roll your waterproof wheelchair into the shower, rather than transporting your patient from a wheelchair to a chair. The Roll-In Buddy with Tilt is an ergonomic tilting rehab shower chair with a commode attachment. The chair rolls easily in and out of showers and can be rolled over a standard toilet. The tilting feature distributes weight, so the patient is comfortable while showering. 5. Bathroom Transfer System Many households have bathtubs, and most people do not have the resources to remodel their bathroom completely. Therefore, a bathroom transfer system may be a good option. They fit into most existing showers or tubs and cost a fraction of the price than a bathroom remodel. The TubBuddy with Tilt rolls over most toilets, is height adjustable, is low maintenance, has removable armrests, a footplate, and an adjustable neck rest. With this model, you can transfer patients safely and easily over a bathtub and even tilt back for optimal comfort. 6. Rails and Grab Bars Rails and Grab Bars attach to the walls of a bathtub or shower or the bath ledge. These bath safety items are easy to install, inexpensive, and can be invaluable when preventing slips and falls. If you or your patient use a bath chair, these rails and grab bars may make it easier transferring in and out of the shower/bath. For instance, the Clamp-On Adjustable Tub Rail is an adjustable rail that clamps to most tubs. The durable steel is easy to clean and makes baths for the elderly much safer.  7. Handheld Shower Heads Handheld showerheads can make it easier to wash a patient. For instance, caregivers can wash a patient’s hair without getting water in the patient’s eyes. Additionally, some handheld showers have a massage option that can help relieve stress and make the patient more comfortable. The Deluxe Handheld Shower Massager with 3 Spray Options has an adjustable massaging head, an extra-long, tangle-free hose, and comes equipped with different spray options to make the patient more comfortable. Purchase Your Bath Safety Items Today! If you would like to purchase a product to help with bath safety for the elderly, you may be covered by Medicare or supplemental insurance. Medicare will cover 80% of the product if you qualify. Amica Medical Supply has the largest selection of top-brand medical products in the industry. Their close relationship with manufacturers enables them to have the lowest prices and the best deals.  If you would like bath safety products for the elderly, shop at Amica Medical Supply or contact them for more information on their services

Patient lifts are an integral component of safe hospital and homecare transfers. A patient lift device protects both the patient and caregiver from injury. In addition, it can give both parties the confidence to make a transfer securely. With that said, the patient lift manufacturer may greatly impact the quality of the lift, whether you need a patient lift for home care, hospital, or otherwise. For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of the six most popular patient lift manufacturers and compared their price ranges, quality of products, and overall popularity to determine which are the best. In the end, though, you need to find a lift that works for your unique needs and fits within your budget. So, check out the information below to find the right lift for you! Comparing the Pros and Cons of Patient Lift Manufacturers Hoyer Price Electric Hoyer lifts range anywhere from $2,000 for residential and $12,500 for facility grade lifts. The manual lifts are much cheaper, costing $900-$1,400. Hoyer heavy-duty lifts can cost anywhere between $6,000 and $12,500. They even manufacture ADA-compliant pool lifts that cost about $1,000. Quality Quality is the hallmark of all Hoyer medical devices. Hoyer is well known in the medical field as one of the highest-quality manufacturers in the market. Hoyer lifts are long-lasting, sturdy, and high-tech. If you require a top quality patient lift for your facility Pros vs. Cons As mentioned, Hoyer patient lifts are some of the best on the market. However, they are also some of the most expensive lifts. If you are willing to pay the price, however, Hoyer is known to produce the best quality patient lifts. There is also a diverse variety of Hoyer lifts to choose from. Bestcare Price Bestcare patient lifts are moderately priced. Generally, their electric lifts range anywhere between $1,000 to $2,000. On the other hand, Bestcare manual lifts come cheaper, costing about $700. Heavy-duty lifts cost anywhere between $1,200 and $2,600.  Quality Bestcare is one of the most well-known patient lift manufacturers. Generally, these lifts are known for being quality products that are easy to use and sturdy. Pros vs. Cons Bestcare has a wide variety of lifts to choose from with many affordable options. In fact, their stand-up manual lifts come as cheap as $625. When you purchase a more expensive Bestcare lift, you pay for more amenities and a higher quality product. In the end, while some lifts tend to be more expensive than others, they are generally moderately priced. Invacare Price Invacare electric patient lifts cost between $2,000 and $3,000. On the other hand, their manual lifts are low priced, typically priced between $460 and $1,100. The Reliant Plus 600 Heavy Duty Electric Patient Lift is their only heavy-duty lift available and is their highest-priced item at $3,160.   Quality Like Hoyer, Invacare produces high-quality patient lifts facility grade patient lifts. These lifts are made with ease of use and reliability in mind, so patients and caregivers can both be safe and comfortable during transfers. Pros vs. Cons On average, Invacare lifts are slightly more expensive than Bestcare and cost slightly less than Drive Medical. Their lifts are fairly priced with strong, notable features that make it an ideal option for light facility and residential use. Drive Medical Price Drive Medical Electric lifts cost between $1,800-$2,900, while Heavy Duty patient lifts cost nearly $3,000. While Drive Medical doesn’t manufacture manual lifts, they do have a bath lift that costs $565. Quality Drive Medical is, on average, a bit more expensive than Bestcare. In addition, Drive Medical does not produce as many patient lifts. That being said, Drive Medical does have good quality residential patient lifts. With modern appliances and easy-to-use mechanics, Drive Medical is a quality manufacturer to consider. Pros vs. Cons As mentioned, Drive Medical is more expensive, costing nearly $1,000 more than Bestcare lifts. However, Drive Medical also has good quality patient lifts. Generally, more expensive lifts have a higher weight limit and/or come equipped with more notable features. Lumex Price Lumex electric lifts cost about $1,600, while the manual lifts only cost about $550 on average. The heavy-duty patient lifts cost $2,356. They also produce a bath lift that costs $572. Quality Trusted widely by healthcare professionals and end-users, Lumex produces patient aides with the user in mind. Patient lifts and devices are designed for efficiency ease of use. Pros vs. Cons Compared to other manufacturers, Lumex is more cost-effective. This is a great option for those who don’t want to spend too much on a patient lift. However, the lifts themselves are very basic. They will get the job done well, no doubt, but won’t have all the amenities of a Hoyer lift, for instance. In addition, options are limited to seven models—one electric, three manual, two heavy-duty, and one bath lift. Medline Price Medline electric lifts can cost anywhere between $1,600 and $7,400, whereas the manual lift costs $625. Also, their heavy-duty patient lift costs $2,725. Quality Medline is a popular, privately-owned American healthcare manufacturer. It is the largest privately-held manufacturer of medical supplies with offices in 20 countries. Medline’s mission is to provide high-quality medical products for superior value. As a result, Medline is highly-regarded for its comfortable, user-friendly medical devices.  Pros vs. Cons While some electric lifts are pricier than others, Medline also has some affordable lifts. Nonetheless, you get what you pay for, and Medline is amongst the best. Find the Right Lift for You! After comparing the pros and cons of patient lift manufacturers, we’ve ranked the manufacturer’s quality. Here are the top six manufacturers ranked in order of best value: Bestcare Hoyer/JoernsInvacare Lumex Drive MedicalMedline To shop patient lifts by any one of these manufacturers, visit Amica Medical Supply. Amica has the largest online selection of medical products, so you are sure to find the perfect patient lift that suits your wish list and price range.  To learn more about Amica’s products, visit their store, or contact them for more information

Lift chairs are powered recliners that help patients stand up without exerting themselves. For instance, many elderly individuals use lift chairs for assisted standing, reclining, sitting, and sleeping.  Because there are many things to consider before buying a quality lift chair, you must find the right chair for your unique needs. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of the top five lift chairs for elderly individuals. Check them out to see which is best for you! Check Out These Best Lift Chairs for the Elderly! 1. MaxiComfort Series Day Dreamer Lift Chair MaxiComfort Series Day Dreamer Lift Chair is a top of the line lift chair for elderly individuals. This chair comes with an ultimate power pillow, which creates the best conditions for head positioning. Additionally, silent dual motors allow you to adjust the seat and backrest independently. You can even lock the chair at your favorite position for customized comfort! This chair comes with an exclusive hand control operation system for easy adjusting, a full chaise pad support for full-body comfort, and a superior leg extension. This chair will cradle you in comfort and support! 2. Easy Comfort Superior 3-Position  The Easy Comfort Superior 3-Position is made from a heavy-duty steel mechanism and a hardwood frame, allowing it to support up to 500 pounds. With the push of a button, the all-electric chair can lift and recline quietly and easily. The leg levers are easy to adjust, as well. Additionally, the fabrics are super soft and designed to match any decor. This chair is truly designed for comfort and stability! 3. Relaxer MaxiComfort Series Infinite Position Relaxer MaxiComfort Series Infinite Position has zero gravity positioning capabilities with a hand control operation that makes adjusting the chair easy. The two-pillow backrest and three-position recline gives users deep-seated comfort. In fact, this chair can help correct spinal alignment, relieve back pressure, and improve circulation for elderly individuals.  4. Comforter Extra Wide 3-Position The Comfort Extra Wide 3-Position is a heavy-duty chair that comes in different sizes, depending on what you need. The Petite option can hold up to 375 pounds, and the small, medium and large sizes can support up to 500 pounds. For bariatric patients, the tall size can support up to 700 pounds.  The width and height of each chair vary depending on their size. With the Comfort Extra Wide 3-Position, you can find the size that fits you for optimum comfort! All sizes of this chair model come with two heavy-duty motors, an LED light system, and a three-position recline. This chair is sturdy and comfortable for everyone! 5. Pride Essential LC-105 3-Position The Pride Essential LC-105 3-Position is a top-quality chair at a low price. This is one of the most affordable chairs on the market. At only $629, this chair has a quiet, smooth lift system, an overstuffed back for support, and a heavy-duty lift actuator. While it doesn’t have all the added amenities as the other lift chairs listed here, it is an affordable option for people who would like a simpler option. Purchase Your Lift Chair Today! Amica Medical Supply has a large selection of lift chairs for seniors. Whether you are looking for two-position, three-position, infinite position, zero gravity, or heavy-duty lift chairs, Amica has the perfect chair for you! Don’t see a chair on this list that will work for you? Check out the Amica lift chair buying guide to find the lift chair that suits your needs. With the largest selection of medical products at the lowest prices available, you are sure to find exactly what you need! For more information, contact Amica Medical Supply today

If you are shopping for hospital beds, it’s important you find the right size for your specific needs.  But what size is a hospital bed?  There are many different sizes for hospital beds. Find out the various dimensions of hospital beds below! What Size is a Hospital Bed and What Kind is Right for You? Width Most hospital beds are between 35 and 60 inches in width.  To put it in perspective, twin beds are about 39 inches in width. Therefore, the smallest hospital you can get is a little smaller than that. On the other hand, queen-sized beds are approximately 60 inches in width. Accordingly, some of the largest hospital beds are the same size as a queen bed. There are numerous sizes of beds that range in between these two. Most hospital beds have a maximum width of 42 inches. Generally, adjustable beds and bariatric beds are the only ones that reach 60 inches in width. Sometimes these beds even fit king-sized mattresses.  For instance, the Medlift Sleep-Ezz Adjustable Beds and Medlift Sleep-Ezz Bariatric Beds are some of the only beds on the market that reach 60 inches in width.  Length Hospital beds can be as short as 74 inches or as long as 88 inches. However, most beds are usually 80 inches long. Nonetheless, if you prefer a shorter bed or need more room, smaller and larger beds are available. For instance, the Medline Altera Long Term Care Bed is a full-electric bed that is fully adjustable. It can extend to as much as 88 inches in length or reduce to 80 inches! This bed easily extends without the use of tools or other equipment. Height Most hospital beds are adjustable. That being said, they have a minimum height and a maximum height. Minimum heights can range anywhere from 7.25 inches to 26 inches tall. Maximum heights can be anywhere between 20 inches and 33 inches tall.  The height of the bed is one of the most important features. For instance, a lower bed can make it easier for people with limited mobility to get in and out of bed. Likewise, a taller bed makes it easier for caretakers to lift patients. The height of the bed you need and its adjustability depends on your individual needs. If you need a highly adjustable bed, we would recommend high-lo hospital beds. For instance, the Medline Alterra Maxx Long-Term Care Bed can lower as much as 7.25 inches off the ground and raise to 30 inches. This bed has an extra motor to make height adjustment as easy as possible.  Buy The Hospital Bed You Need at an Affordable Price! Amica Medical Supply is the largest online medical supply distributor! That means they have the largest selection of products at the lowest prices possible! If you need to purchase a hospital or homecare bed at any size listed above, Amica has the exact product you are looking for! For more information, contact Amica today

If you are looking to buy a wheelchair, one of the most important things to consider is its size. For instance, you wouldn’t want to purchase a chair that is too small or too wide. It could make sitting uncomfortable and traveling difficult. So what is the width of a wheelchair? Keep reading to learn what the standard wheelchair width is, as well as how to find the right wheelchair for you! Your Guide to Understanding the Standard Wheelchair Width What is the Average Width of a Wheelchair? Standard wheelchair widths are generally sixteen inches for a narrow adult, eighteen inches for an average adult, and twenty inches for a wide adult. However, pediatric wheelchairs can be as small as ten inches, and bariatric wheelchairs can be as wide as thirty inches. Essentially, each type of wheelchair comes in a different set of sizes, with eighteen being a fair medium for wheelchair width. How to Determine the Right Wheelchair Width for You A good way to determine the right wheelchair width for you is to measure it.  First, sit down on a solid surface, such as an uncushioned chair. Using a tape measure, measure the widest part of the patient’s lap. This may be the hips or thigh area.  The next step is to determine where the armrests are placed on the wheelchair. For instance, some armrests are installed on the outside of the seat frame. The chair width can be the same or a few inches wider than your measurement. On the other hand, some fixed armrests are positioned to the side edges of the seat. In that case, add about two inches to your measurement. Now you know how to find the wheelchair width that is right for you! What Kind of Wheelchair is Right for You? Standard wheelchairs are perfect for individuals who can self-propel their own wheelchair and don’t plan to be sitting all day. Lightweight wheelchairs are perfect for individuals who plan to use their wheelchair more often. They often weigh under thirty-five pounds and include a foldable frame, swing-away footrests, and full-length armrests. Transport wheelchairs are lightweight and have a collapsible frame. These chairs require someone to push the chair from behind, rather than the patient moving the chair on his/her own. Rigid ultra-lightweight wheelchairs are designed for active individuals. The frames are foldable and easy to transport. The lightweight frames make it easier for patients to get around. Tilt in space wheelchairs allows patients to tilt back on a fixed or sliding pivot point. This relieves pressure on patients’ backs and is much more comfortable for patients who must spend most of their time in a wheelchair. Reclining wheelchairs are very similar to tilt in space ones. Rather than reclining via a pivot point, however, reclining chairs have a simpler design.  Standing wheelchairs are designed with cutting-edge technology. The user can move and operate the chair using a joystick controller. These chairs also feature a stand-up mode that allows patients to move around while in a standing position. Pediatric wheelchairs are made for the comfort of children. The frames can tilt and recline, and the chair has extra padding to reduce bed sores and keep kids comfortable. Bariatric and heavy-duty wheelchairs have a wider width and larger weight capacity to support patients who weigh as much as 850 pounds. Purchase a High-Quality Wheelchair at a Low Price Amica Medical Supply has the largest selection of products in the medical industry. Because of their close relationships with manufacturers, they can sell top-quality medical supplies at the lowest prices possible! So what does this mean for you? Amica Medical Supply has wheelchairs in every width size listed above. They also have Geri chairs, shower wheelchairs, and pool and beach wheelchairs for sale. If you need to purchase cushions for your chair, or other accessories and parts, Amica has everything you need! They are dedicated to helping you get the medical supplies you need at the best prices! Contact them today to learn more