Roll Mobility Blog
Mounted Van Ramps from PVI Now Available at Roll Mobility
The PVI side door van ramp folds in quarters and stores vertically to leave the doorway accessible.
Side door and rear door mounted van ramps by PVI are now available at Roll Mobility. These van ramps mount to the floor of the van inside the doorway for safe and easy loading of wheelchairs and scooters. The anti-slip, high traction surface ensures safety during loading, even in wet conditions. These ramps are constructed with durable welding for high strength and long life.
The side door van ramp mounts to the floor inside the doorway and stores vertically. The ramp folds into quarters to leave the doorway accessible for passengers.
The rear door van ramp can easily be operated by a single person. It folds into three sections and stores vertically inside the doorway. The ramp operates manually with spring assist. If your van’s rear opening has a threshold, the ramp will require a conversion kit in order to clear the threshold.
The PVI rear door van ramp can be easily operated by one person.
How to Install a Bath Bench
Make sure the bath bench properly fits your bathtub.
Since every bath bench is made differently, make sure you get one that will properly fit your bathtub. An ill-fitting bath bench is unsafe. The width of the tub, the type of side walls (rounded or flat), and the size and layout of the bathroom all need to be considered when purchasing a bath bench.
Installing the Bath Bench
If the bench is a transfer bench, place two legs of the transfer bench inside the tub wall and as close to the far wall of the tub as possible. The handle should be on the same side as the wall. Allow the other two legs to rest on the bathroom floor outside the tub. Most transfer bench backrests are reversible. Attach the backrest on the side that allows the user to face the direction that he or she prefers.
If the bench is a bath seat (seat only or with backrest), place the bath seat inside the tub. All four legs should be flat on the bottom of the tub floor. Do not allow the legs to rest on the curved sides of the tub.
Adjust the length of the legs so that the bench is level.
Adjusting the Height
Adjust the height of the bath seat as needed by pushing in the snap button and sliding the leg tube up or down until the button protrudes through the correct adjustment hole. Repeat for the remaining three legs. Make sure all four legs are adjusted to the same height by counting the number of holes between the bottom of each leg and the push button. Ensure that the legs are locked in place before use.
Choosing a Walking Cane
A single-point walking cane is lightweight and offers stability.
When your loved one needs a little extra support for walking, a cane is the first step in making sure they have the stability and balance they need. Using a cane as a walking aid can prevent falls and increase your loved one’s confidence and independence.
There are several different types of canes available, including single point, quad base, and offset canes. Knowing which types of cane is best for your loved one depends on how much support they need.
Types of Walking Canes
Single-point canes add one extra point of contact with the ground to help stabilize the user. They are lightweight and easy to use. The handle style can be derby, Fritz, round, T-handle, offset, palm grip, crook, or any number of options. Some handles offer more stability and ergonomic support than others. Ask your health care professional for a recommendation on which cane handle to choose for your loved one.
A quad base cane offers greater stability.
Quad canes are slightly heavier than single-point canes, but they offer greater support with four extra points of contact. They have a wide base with four legs. The larger the base, the more stable the cane is. Quad canes can stand on their own, so there’s no need to find a place to rest your cane. Just stand it upright.
Walking Cane Height
Most aluminum canes are height adjustable. Wood canes are generally not. If you choose a wood cane, measure the height needed before making your purchase. The top portion of the handle should touch the inside of the wrist when the arm is hanging down naturally at your side.
Weight Capacity
Make sure the walking cane can safely handle the weight of the user. Users over 250 pounds may need to purchase a bariatric or heavy duty walking cane for extra support.
Loading a Wheelchair into a Vehicle
Loading an unoccupied wheelchair
Wheelchairs—especially heavy duty ones—can be difficult to lift into a vehicle. Not only are they heavy, but they can be awkward to handle when folded. Petite caregivers and individuals with back problems will find it much easier to load a wheelchair using a van ramp.
Types of Van Ramps
The two basic types of van ramps are portable and permanent. Portable van ramps are designed with an extended lip that attaches inside the door of the van. They can be folded for compact storage inside the van. Some portable van ramps separate into two pieces to make them lighter in weight and easier to handle.
Permanent van ramps are bolted to the inside of the vehicle, which involves drilling through the van’s floor. They are designed to fit either the rear door or the side door. Permanent rear door van ramps may not be compatible with vehicles that have stow-away seating.
Loading an Occupied Wheelchair
For loading an occupied wheelchair, make sure the slope does not exceed a 2:12 ratio (12 inches of ramp length for every 2 inches in rise). If the ramp is too steep, the wheelchair will become difficult to push, or the power wheelchair / scooter will stall or bottom out. There must be adequate head clearance into the van, and the van door must be a minimum of 30 inches wide in order to accommodate the ramp width.
A qualified assistant should be present when using a portable van ramp. Make sure the van ramp is rated to handle the full weight of the wheelchair, the occupant, and the caregiver (if pushing the wheelchair).
PVI Van Ramps Now Available at Roll Mobility
New! PVI Van Ramps
Roll Mobility is expanding its selection of wheelchair ramps with van ramps from Prairie View Industries, a trusted leader in the wheelchair ramp industry. PVI Van Ramps are UL listed for safety and include a patented center joint hinge to increase the strength of the ramp and eliminate pinch points.
These utility ramps can be used with SUVs, vans, and other vehicles. The hook that attaches the ramp to the vehicle is extended to clear the rear bumper. These van ramps do not attach permanently to your vehicle. Because these van ramps are portable, they allow you to attach the ramp to any vehicle that you want to load your wheelchair into.
Setup is easy and secure with the included security pins and safety strap. A safety guide helps you determine if the ramp is on a safe slope, and a safety DVD is included with the ramp.
PVI utility ramps are lightweight, easy to handle, and easy to set up. The ramp separates into two pieces for easy carrying and folds into a suitcase-like carrying case. Even petite users should be able to set up and carry the utility ramp without strain.
A full 30-inch wide platform with side curbs ensures safe loading and unloading, and the durable welded construction is strong enough to support up to 600 pounds. The ramp surface is coated with an anti-slip, high traction surface for safety in wet or dry conditions. PVI van ramps can accommodate wheelchairs and scooters with various wheel configurations.
These van ramps start at just $239.99 with Free Shipping (lower 48 states)!
Choosing a Commode Chair
This portable commode chair is designed for convenient bedside use.
A commode chair can increase bathroom safety or serve as a portable toilet for aging seniors and individuals with disabilities or injuries. Use the following information to help you figure out what type of commode chair and features that you need.
Who would benefit from using a commode chair?
Individuals who need to use a commode chair may be confined to one room because of illness or disability. They may be confined to a level of their home with no bathroom. They may have difficulty using the toilet because of disability, weakened muscles, or poor balance. A commode chair reduces the risk of falls while in the bathroom or on the way to and from the bathroom.
What types of commode chairs are available?
Different types of commode chairs are available, depending on how you plan to use the chair. For example, you may want to use the chair as a bedside commode, for transportation to and from the bathroom, or as an elevated seat over the toilet. Commode chairs provide for a variety of needs and often serve more than one purpose. They can be designed for use in the bathroom, shower, or bedroom.
Types of Commode Chairs:
- Stand-alone commode chair (standard size, extra wide / heavy duty, and drop arm styles)
- Over-the-toilet commode chair (for added height and safety)
- Elevated toilet seat (locks onto a regular toilet)
- Combination shower/toilet/wheelchair commode
- Wheels / no wheels
This drop-arm, heavy duty commode can support up to 1000 lbs.
What should I look for in a commode chair?
Decide how you will be using the commode chair. Is it for bedside use to reduce or eliminate trips to and from the bathroom? Do you need a taller seat to make it easier to get up from the toilet? Will it be used for transportation to and from the bathroom?
Once you determine how the commode chair will be used, you can decide what type of model and features you need.
Examples of Commode Chair Features:
- Wheels or no wheels
- Plastic or padded covering (padded is more comfortable, but plastic is easier to clean)
- Frame materials and durability (stainless steel lasts longer)
- Fold-down or removable arms
- Swing away, removable footrests
- Back support
- Adjustable height
- Weight capacity
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