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Whimsical Custom Metal Railing For Safety Completed

December 6, 2009

Mrs. M’s front entry railing is finished. How fun to have a frog design!

A safe and functional piece of art for Mrs. M

Please check out the 4 photos at Cobalt Designworks’ website: http://www.cobaltdesignworks.com/blog/whimsical-ornamental-railing/ Jennifer Corio and Dave Frei did a beautiful job in meeting her needs for beauty, functionality, and most importantly safety. Now she can safely climb the 2 steep steps with ease and confidence!

Factory Visit At Rane Tubs In Sparta TN

November 23, 2009

Tony and Lori spent a couple days at Rane Tubs with Lewis Duff, National Sales Director for Rane Tubs of Norcom, maker of side entry tubs in Sparta Tennessee in late October 09.

They really liked the high quality production, product designs, and strong customer focus of the Rane Tubs, a Norcom of Tennessee product line. The product design with the outward swinging door, also called side entry, is most useful for people who have trouble standing or bearing weight on their feet. They are easy for people with walkers and wheelchairs. Website: http://www.ranetubs.net/ Here are a few photos of the manufacturing process:

: Tony and Lewis talking over the details of the Rane RH6 side entry tub

An RH6 side entry tub just like one we ordered for Mr. & Mrs. S. Excellent manufacturing and quality processes followed by Richard’s team.

These Rane Tub designs use an aluminum frame construction for light-weight, strong, and noncorrosion (think airplane).

The fiberglass application is sticky, smelly, and hard work. The applicator does this work with concentration, craftmanship, and measuring meters & fixtures. After seeing this flash photo result, Lori was glad to have worn a mask throughout the plant.

Fiberglass application for tub and other parts

Highly water efficient tub with space saving door. It tips up after bather is inside.

: Lori tries out Mr. & Mrs. S’s new side entry RH6 Rane tub while in process

Lewis said that 99% of their tubs are ordered with hydrotherapy systems usually the air systems. The water jetted systems are also available but not as popular given the intensity for sensitive thin skin in older users.

They had a very nice dinner with the owners of Norcom, Jim and Carol DeKraker, and Lewis with Lori and Tony sampling the ribs of Cookeville. They have been in this business since 1990 and deeply care about the ultimate end customers of their tubs. They are in the midst of building a very large building/office space next to their current plant which could quadruple their volume.

Next week: Installing this tub!

Get Help With Costs To Modify Your Home

November 20, 2009

Seniors and people with disabilities can get help from government agencies

Lori toured the Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities (SWAAD) on Thursday, Nov.19 09, to learn more about the programs available to elderly (over 60) and people with disabilities.

Alicia Sampath, Contracts Management Group manager, explained the various linkages to governmental programs. SWAAD receives funds through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, via its Aging and Disability Services Administration (ADSA). Primary funding sources are:

Federal Older Americans Act (OAA)
State Senior Citizens Services Act (SCSA)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Social Security Act – Title XIX (Medicaid)
And most recently, the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). (Lori: “Lots of A’s !”)

Access at Home Inc will also attend a contractors meet the case workers of SWAAD on December 17, 2009. See www.helpingelders.org for SWAAD’s website.

Washington State has been nationally recognized for its progressive and cost savings programs for keeping elders and people with disabilities in their familiar and comfortable homes. They have proved that assisting these folks with environmental modifications or home retrofits for their needs costs much less to the taxpayers than institutionalization.

They also have great programs and assistance for Family Caregivers. They work closely with the Human Services Council www.hsc-wa.org . They are hosting a large Caregivers conference in April 2010 which is not currently posted on their website.

Beautiful Completion Of Bathtub For Safe Bathing

November 18, 2009

Finished Mrs. M’s Bathroom Remodel with a Hydrotherapy Walk In Bathtub!

: Satisfied! Mrs. M is thrilled about her new hydrotherapy walk-in tub

What a difference! Now Mrs. M can bath again and not worry about getting stuck in the old tub or having to sit uncomfortably on a shower chair in her other bathroom.

Tony pulled out the existing “cheesy-looking” shower-tub insert. Scroll down to see the “before” photo. We used Larry Warner from Absolute Electric for his expert electrical work and Mike Jones from Clark County Plumbing for the pipes and drain.

Tony spent most of his time on the detailed 4″ shelf on the back wall and fancy tile work surrounding the tub.

Sis took the first bath since Mrs. M wasn’t able to bath yet due to a very recent surgery. Sis really enjoyed it especially the deep warm jetting water. She didn’t want to get out.

Next up: A bathroom remodel with a Rane side-entry tub for a lovely deaf couple both almost 90 years old! New electronic seat bidet, new floor, and widening of 2 doors.

Best Bath Systems Factory Training

October 22, 2009

Last week Lori spent two days attending ”Dealer Days” at Best Bath Systems in sunny Boise learning:

how high quality walk-in bathtubs and barrier-free showers are manufactured
how to easily fix dings and scratches in the outer gel coat layer
how to install showers and tubs
how to know your business potential
how to successfully market the business
how to become a dealer
how to beautifully display the systems

Tony attended the same course and graduated back in July 2009.

Lori receives Dealer Days Certicate from Gary Multanen, President/Owner of Best Bath Systems

Jeff Mooney, VP, explains the quality

Spraying important blue coating to protect inside from impressions

Spraying fiberglass on insert and wood

It was a great experience and certainly worth the time spent. The Best Bath Systems employees were long time, very experienced, dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate people. They really want their dealers and end customers to be happy with their excellent products.