Access At Home Inc.

Whimsical Custom Metal Railing For Safety Completed

admin — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:03:54 +0000

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

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:55:43 +0000

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

admin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:38:32 +0000

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

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:55:15 +0000

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

admin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:03:39 +0000

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.

Diabetic Patients Use Jetted Bathtubs For Critical Footcare

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:50:30 +0000

Diabetes is a disease growing significantly in the United States. The American Diabetes Association states that 8 percent of the U.S. population, or 23.6 million people have either Type 1 or 2 diabetes. It accounts for more than 60 percent of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations. The rate for amputation in diabetes patients is 10x higher than it is for people without the disease.

People with diabetes and neuropathy are vulnerable to footcare and wound issues. The use of whirlpool hydrotherapy baths and soaking can help improve circulation. “…This kind of bath tub will help the foot gently be massaged, which helps the foot begin to circulate blood more evenly. … [These tubs] are easy for any patient to use in their home or at the hospital. The patient simply puts their foot into the hydrotherapy whirlpool bath tubs and allows it to soak for a prescribed amount of time. This therapy can be repeated over the course of days or weeks, depending on the condition of the patient and the recommendation of the physical therapist of primary physician. While the tubs won’t completely heal the poor circulation, there is significant evidence that using a bath tub like this for therapy will reduce the possibility of ulceration and the need for amputation of the foot in severe cases.” This article by Gary Gordon is helpful in describing the therapeutic effects of whirlpool or jetted tubs for diabetic patients with neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease and can be found here: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/hydrotherapy-whirlpool-bathtubs-help-rehabilitate-patients-414251.html

Another good article, The Diabetic Foot , gives great advice such as daily foot inspections. http://www.footsolutions.com/diabetes.htm

Check diabetic feet daily

Custom Metalwork For Railings With Beauty AND Safety

admin — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:54:49 +0000

Last week our dear client, Mrs. M, had some medical issues. Sis told us that she will probably need that walk-in bathtub as soon as next week when we are scheduled to start the project.

As we talked, Sis was real worried about the front door which Mrs. M uses regularly with no handrails. She grabs ahold of the brick on the side of the house to pull steady herself as she climbs the two steep steps.

Dave Frei measuring for an artistic and safe railing for Mrs. M

Lori called up another great “couple company” that she’s know quite well — Cobalt Designworks to help design, build, and install wrought iron railings. Mrs. M wanted something that matched the design of her home/landscaping AND was safe and functional. Jennifer Corio, the Owner/Designer, and Dave Frei, the Owner/Production Manager, have great ideas to meet her needs. Find their beautiful metal designs and projects at www.cobaltdesignworks.com . Besides railings, you can find gates, signs, furniture, sculpture, and public art.

Lori met Jennifer and Dave at Mrs. M’s home last week. It was great that the Best Bath System Walk-In Bathtub was delivered while we were there. All 300 lbs by the trusty FedEx man. She inspected the biscuit jetted tub and extension to find no transportation defects.

There will be 3 designs for Mrs. Mand Sis to review in about a week. Sis has a good design eye having been a florist for many years. Mrs. M will choose her safe and beautiful wrought-iron railing soon.

SWAAD Can Help Mobility-Impaired With Costs

admin — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 21:35:56 +0000

The Southwest Washington Agency on Aging and Disabilities (SWAAD) is part of the national network of Area Agencies on Aging and a public service agency solely dedicated to helping persons aged 60 and over, adults with disabilities and their families to access needed community services in Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Klickitat and Skamania counties. This agency may help you with retrofitting your home as your mobility or your ability to get around changes and depends on your qualifications.

Photo by Rawlinson

You can find more info at SWAAD’s website: www.helpingelders.org

Another helpful agency which has links to SWAAD is the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)’s agency called Aging and Disability Services Administration (ADSA) for Washington State, www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov .

Assistive Technology is a national website featuring new technologies and products: www.assistivetech.net/index.php . You can find nifty devices like the tush push toilet seat lift.

Tush Push toilet seat lift

Access at Home, Inc. is an approved supplier for the SWAAD and DSHS ADSA agencies!

Look forward to more information posted about Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas in Oregon as we develop our relationships with similar agencies serving them.

New Bathroom Retrofit In The Works

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:05:48 +0000

Our sweet 80-yr-old customer, Mrs. M, loves to take baths and lives alone. Her gorgeous 4-yr-old home has a fabulous triangular jetted tub with 2 full length glass block walls on both sides of the tub in her master bathroom. (A photo would be nice to see this — maybe next week.) One late evening a few weeks ago, she tried to take a bath and could not get out by herself. She had to make an urgent call to her dear sweet sister (and was fortunate to have brought the phone with her.) When Sis showed up, they giggled so hard about the situation, it took both of their energies to get out. Mrs. M’s a night owl bather and wants to keep her independence. She is also adamant about keeping the new home’s elegant style and designs. She doesn’t want it to look like a hospital or institution at all.

Tony and Lori, Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists were called after a nephew found them at the Fair. They did NOT want to touch that beautiful master jetted tub due to her request to keep her home’s elegant design in synch. She is currently using the shower with a chair as needed. She sure misses the soaking and hydro-therapeutic bathing. Her calves and ankles were swollen and surely needed the hydrotherapy from water and air jet systems.

Surprisingly, they discovered another bathroom that had a low-end bath/shower insert with plastic doors. It also did not fit the sophistication and high quality look of the home. The bathroom has stone flooring, polished traverteen counters, and redwood cabinetry. This is where she snuck a bath but knew it wasn’t very safe for her either. They recommended the perfect solution calling for the installation of a Best Bath Escape jetted walk in bathtub, gray tile surrounding that matches the floor, additional lighting, and a white ceiling.

See the before pictures. Stay tuned for updates. Construction begins in October (‘o9).

Mrs. M's Bath/Shower BEFORE

09).

Measuring For A Threshold Ramp

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:53:26 +0000

We have many types of threshold ramp materials depending on your needs and outdoor or indoor:

plastic
rubber
metal

The easiest material to work with and use is rubber. We can cut it at the right point for a smooth transition.

See photos below. You need a measuring device and a straightedge. Ensure that your straightedge is parallel to the floor.