Gifting Independence and Mobility

If you're considering what to buy a loved one for a holiday or birthday gift, resist the temptation
to go for the usual. Your friend or family member will appreciate a gift that promotes independence
and mobility more than anything you might buy at a mall or jewelry store. From shower seats
to pool lifts, Preferred Health Choice has everything that those with limited mobility could want
to enjoy more freedom and comfort. Increased independence can provide a big boost of

confidence — and even lighten the load for family, friends and professional caretakers.

Create Options With Scooters

Scooters allow seniors and others with mobility restrictions to live life to its fullest. Imagine gifting

someone you love with the ability to travel or experience the outdoors again. Your loved one can
take in the colors of autumn leaves, savor balmy summer nights, or be revitalized by the scent of
spring in the air. He or she can even indulge their inner speed demon with today's faster options
like this ZooMe-R4. They'll love whizzing around in an easy-to-maneuver model that reaches
surprisingly high speeds.

Limited mobility doesn't have to stop the golfer in your life. The Trionic Veloped Golf Walker is an

all-terrain walker with speed controls, a captain's seat, optional rear safety lighting, a removable
flashlight option and more. A scooter could be just what it takes to ramp up the fun factor in your
recipient's daily life.

The Latest Wheelchair Options

Modern wheelchairs are designed with comfort and maneuverability in mind. Semi-reclining seats,
adjustable arms and elevating leg rests are just some of the options designed to keep your giftee
comfortable all day long. Reclining wheelchairs with headrests provide neck and head support.
They improve circulation and provide an added degree of comfort, even after long periods of
sitting.

The new generation of portable power wheelchairs allows for small turns and smooth transitions
from forward to reverse, ensuring a pleasant ride every time. Geriatric chairs like those used in
medical facilities are perfect for the home environment. They offer a good deal of extra support
with their generously portioned platforms. Lightweight wheelchairs simplify your loved one's
transportation needs and are available at budget-friendly prices. Heavy-duty models offer higher
weight capacities and a more comfortable experience for people of all heights.

Mobility Accessories

Preferred Health Choice offers accessories to enhance comfort while using wheelchairs and
scooters. Skin breakdown and poor spinal alignment can create major setbacks for those with
diabetes, cancer, aging skin, muscle atrophy and a number of other health issues. The pressure,
heat, friction and moisture that can result from long periods in a wheelchair or scooter are the
sources of skin breakdown.The accessories available here can relieve these ailments.

Therapeutic foam, gel and air wheelchair seat cushions allow for a more comfortable experience
and protect skin during extended periods of use. Wheelchair backrest supports make using a
scooter or wheelchair more comfortable. Wheelchair backs also provide spinal support and help
improve posture. Your friend or relative's well-being and comfort are two of the greatest gifts you
can give for birthdays or holidays.

Lift Chair Recliners

Many of us love our recliners, but power lift chairs make an excellent alternative for the mobility-
impaired. Your giftee will truly appreciate how easy it is to stand from a sitting position in these
riser recliner chairs. Being able to stand up pain-free after relaxing or watching TV makes this
a great choice for a holiday or birthday gift. Does your favorite couple have an upcoming
anniversary? Consider gifting them a pair of these delightful chairs for people with disabilities
or restricted mobility. We also offer parts and accessories for lift chairs.

Walkers and Other Walking Aids

Whether for convalescence or permanent use, Preferred Health Choice offers a wide range of
walking aids. Walkers are available for adults and children for gait training and other needs. Our
Uprise walker is ideal for those with limited range of motion in their hands. It folds with ease,
thanks to its single-release mechanism. The walker even simplifies bathroom trips by providing
stability when rising from a seated to standing position. From bariatric walkers to knee walkers,
our selection of walkers provides something for everyone.

Canes and Crutches

We have canes, cane seats and crutches to help move freely after falls, surgeries and other
medical incidents. Our cane sling seat provides a comfy place to rest when opened or a
dependable cane upon folding. And ergonomic forearm crutches absorb shock to the upper
body — no matter how fast the stride. Your gift recipient will appreciate access to sturdy
walking options when they need them most.

Bath Aids

Bathing presents unique challenges for those with restricted movement. Living alone makes
caring for oneself even more difficult, and those who live with family may be embarrassed to
ask for help. Keep your family member safe every day with toilet safety frames, bedside
commodes and raised toilet seats. Seat risers add several inches of height, making toilet use
safer and easier after surgery or for those with arthritis and other issues.

Since taking bathing and showering can present safety hazards, bathing aids are smart gift
choices for the elderly and mobility-challenged. Transfer benches make easy work of getting
into the tub. Shower chairs, swivel shower stools and handicap shower seats provide a safe,
comfortable bathing experience. Bariatric options are available with weight capacities of up to
500 pounds. Give loved ones more options for independence while easing your own worries
about bathroom slips and spills.

Whether your loved one is experiencing a temporary health setback; recovering from surgery
or an injury; or has long-term issues with movement, the gifts of independence and mobility
can be game-changers. If your goal is to enhance someone's comfort and well-being, you'll
find plenty of options with us. Wheelchairs with all the bells and whistles and accessories to
match are the perfect gifts for those with ongoing mobility problems. Scooters with the latest
high-tech features allow for much greater freedom of movement. Bath aids, lift chairs and
other devices enable your loved one to become more independent while helping you to worry
less. Shop Preferred Health Choice's inventory of the leading products for enhanced safety,
comfort and mobility today to find a gift they'll love.

Outdoor Activities for the Mobility Impaired

Outdoor activities are known to promote physical and emotional well being. Participating in these fun pursuits should be a human right that is available to everyone. Increased awareness about the needs of physically disabled persons and advancements in adaptive sports equipment have made it possible for the mobility impaired to enjoy more outdoor activities. Here are 10 popular recreational activities for the mobility impaired.

#1 Camping and Hiking

There’s no better way to experience the beauty of nature than camping. This immersive experience allows you to temporarily live among the flora and fauna that make up the earth’s diverse ecosystem. Many people do wilderness camping and hiking for the unique challenges that these activities present. These adventures are even more formidable for the mobility impaired. The best excursions are ones that take your skill level, equipment availability, and performance goals into consideration. Many national parks have wheelchair accessible trails and facilities, and some offer all-terrain wheelchairs that allow you to tackle unpaved trails. You should always make safety a priority during camping trips and carry a cell phone, a whistle, and a hiking buddy with you at all times.

#2 Paddling

Water has the power to relax, invigorate, and inspire all at once. Those are the emotions that many people get while canoeing, kayaking, and rafting America’s numerous waterways. Paddling is an outdoor sport that is particularly favored by physically disabled people. If you can swim, you’re well on your way to leaving your wheelchair behind and gliding out across the water. Small boats require little adaptation based on their particular impairments in its book Canoeing and Kayaking for Persons With Disabilities. 
The book also emphasizes the safety aspects of paddling while disabled. Love the idea of going on frequent paddling trips with groups of able-bodied and disabled persons? Join the Disabled Paddlers Association.

#3 Wheelchair Tennis

Playing tennis offers a way to socialize while getting cardiovascular exercise in the fresh air. Persons who have physical disabilities find it easy to get started playing tennis after they learn the basics of the game. Some adaptations that are made for the mobility impaired include smaller, lighter-weight rackets and wheelchairs with camber wheels that improve stability. The rules are often modified to allow for two bounces instead of one before players return volleys. If you’re a serious wheelchair tennis enthusiast,
you can invest in a chair that is specially designed for court sports.

#4 Horseback Riding

According to medical research, interacting with animals can be therapeutic. For the mobility impaired, horseback riding can help them to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and improve balance. Some pieces of adaptive equipment that physically disabled horseback riders use to better enjoy the pastime are mounting platforms that accommodate wheelchairs and high-back saddles that support weak spines. Riding horseback is a great way to see a wilderness area without using an all-terrain wheelchair.

#5 Swimming

For physically disabled persons who are concerned about losing strength, swimming is a proven total-body workout. Whether you’re doing the backstroke or the breaststroke, you’ll improve your muscle tone and cardiovascular health. Many persons with disabilities choose swimming as their outdoor sport of choice because the activity is easy on the joints and inherently refreshing. You almost never hear about a mobility impaired person suffering a swimming injury, and the recreational activity requires no adaptive sports equipment.

#6 Beachcombing

Everyone loves a good treasure hunt, and that’s exactly what happens during a beachcombing excursion. Beachcombing involves identifying and collecting coins, lost keepsakes, and pretty shells on the beach. It’s an outdoor activity that is as old as the beach itself. It’s a wonderful pursuit for mobility impaired people who have children. Pieces of equipment that you’ll need for a family-friendly beachcombing trip are a long-armed metal detector and an extended reacher grabber tool that will help you to pick up your treasures.

#7 Snowboarding

If you’re looking for breathtaking scenery and heart-racing fun, you’ll want to find a ski resort that offers adaptive snowboarding for the mobility impaired. Cruising down snow-covered slopes at top speeds can increase your confidence and enjoyment. To learn the basics, contact an instructor who specializes in adaptive snowboarding. He or she can guide your technique based upon your unique disability. The instructor will know what adaptive equipment is available to make your snowboarding excursions safer and more enjoyable. Organizations such as Disabled Sports USA and Paralympic Sport Clubs provide
mobility impaired persons with information about local snowboarding programs and resources.

#8 Wheelchair Basketball

Wheelchair basketball is one of the earliest adaptive sports. Mobility impaired persons who have lower body challenges use basketball as a social outlet and a way to get exercise on park courts. Whether you’re classified as permanently disabled with cerebral palsy or are recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, you can sign up for wheelchair basketball games through the National Wheelchair Basketball Association or organize a pickup game at your local outdoor court. Casual players typically use standard wheelchairs to play, but competitive players invest in sport chairs.

#9 Picking Fresh Produce At a Local Farm

Depending on where you live, there’s a good chance that you’re within miles of a farm. Large community gardens and small farms often open their gates to the public and allow customers to pick their own produce. You can spend hours gathering the best that the farm has to offer. Things to consider before showing up at the farm are the types of produce that you plan to pick and the farm’s layout. You want to pick items that grow at least to the height of your wheelchair. This will guarantee that you can reach these culinary treats. You’ll also want to call the farm ahead of your trip to find out the width of the garden rows. The rows should be wide enough to accommodate your wheelchair. Picking fruits and vegetables at local
farms is a favorite pastime of those who like to eat and spend time outdoors. You can extend the fun by using the freshly picked produce to make a backyard barbeque-style evening meal.

#10 Sailing

Sailing is an outdoor pursuit that requires strategy. Experienced skippers have extensive knowledge of sea currents, wind behavior, and their vessel. They are able to maneuver their boat quickly by using water currents, wind directions, and their vessel’s navigational instruments. Adaptive sailing programs match you to sailing instructors who teach you sailing safety rules, boating terms and basic boating techniques. These instructors have access to boats that are equipped to accommodate physically disabled crew members. Some boats have electronic joysticks that control the boat’s rigging system. Others have passenger transport benches and grab bars that help sailors enter and exit the boats without their wheelchairs. Using adaptive sports equipment, any trained mobility impaired person can successfully and safely operate a boat. Since mastering water and wind behavior takes practice and experience, you’ll likely want to take your time, enjoy being out on the water, and learn at your own pace. When you’re ready to get started, the Warrior Sailing Program has information about adaptive sailing in your local area.

Final Thoughts

Physically disabled persons require only a fearless spirit and a standard wheelchair to enjoy many of the described leisure activities. For other outdoor pursuits, you’ll need specially made equipment to safely play the sports. Your outdoor hobbies can quickly get expensive, but financial aid is available. To fund your next adaptive sports equipment purchase, check out grants at the Challenged Athletes Foundation, the Loma Linda Health PossAbilities program, and the National Association of Injured & Disabled Workers.