Choosing the right mobility equipment is important for your health and safety.  Read the product descriptions carefully so that you understand the capacities, dimensions and benefits of each product. Your physical capabilities must also be considered when choosing the right mobility equipment.  Your doctor, caregiver or  health care professional can help recommend the best type of equipment for your current and future mobility needs.  When it comes to getting around, Allegro is sure to have exactly what you need.

TYPES of MOBILITY AIDS

Canes

Canes can be used for balance (single tip) or to bear your full weight (quad).  The top of the cane should be at the same level as the crease on the back side of your wrist with your arms at your side.  Measure the distance from your wrist to the floor, with shoes on.  Review this MayClinic.com Slideshow: How to choose and use a cane for more information.

Quad Canes

Specialty Canes

Standard Canes

Already have a cane?  How about attaching a Cane Ice Grip this winter?

 Crutches 

Crutches are fitted according to your height.  When you stand, your elbows should bend slightly at about 20 degrees, with your hand grips even with your hip joint.  You should be able to fully extend your elbow with each step forward.

Adjustable Crutches

Forearm Crutches

Mobility Scooters

Get going with with an electric mobility scooter! These battery powered vehicles are full of options and can be a great alternative to a wheelchair for those with limited mobility but good manual dexterity.

Read these Mobility Buyers Guides first:

• Mobility Scooters – 3 Wheel or 4 Wheel
• Types of Mobility Scooters
• 5 Things to Consider when Choosing a Mobility Scooter

3 Wheel Mobility Scooters

4 Wheel Mobility Scooters

Power Chairs

Walkers

For balance, or if you are at risk for falling, a walker may be the perfect choice.  Rule of thumb: A standard walker without wheels is most stable.  Walkers with wheels may get you around faster, though, because you can put your weight on the walker as you move.  Rollators, or 4-wheeled walkers really keep you moving.   Review this MayoClinic.Com Slide Show: How to choose and use a walker for more info.

Knee Walkers

Rollators

Rollator/Transport Chair Combo

Specialty Walkers

Standard Walkers

Wheeled Walkers

Wheelchairs

Choosing a wheelchair, except the most basic models or transport chairs, requires help from a nurse, doctor or therapist.  Once you’ve determined your requirements as to special features, type of wheelchair, back height, width, weight and support you need, it’s a matter of choosing the style that suits you.

Heavy Duty Wheelchairs

Lightweight Wheelchairs

Sports Chairs

Standard Weight Wheelchairs

Transport and Specialty Wheelchairs

Ultra Lightweight Wheelchairs

Other mobility categories that may be helpful are Ramps, Transfer Boards and Bath Safety Transfer Benches.

Another Independence Helper. . .

Beasy Board Trans Easy Transfer System – Wheelchair users, this portable transfer board can greatly improve your independence, especially if you have difficulty getting in and out of an automobile.  Don’t leave home without it!  See also the Beasy Board Glyder

Need more help? Feel free to call us at 1-800-861-3211 to consult with a mobility specialist!  Thanks for your business.  We appreciate it.

Once you have the length calculated, you can choose the proper width and type of ramp – depending on how and where it will be used.  What a relief to know you will be able to get your mobility scooter into the van; assist an elderly or disabled person up the porch steps; or roll your wheelchair down a terraced walkway with the greatest of ease and safety.

Our buddies at Prairie View Industries (PVI Ramps) shared their ramp slope formulas, ramp slope chart and measurement instructions so we could help you calculate your optimal ramp length.   Thanks PVI!

How Long Should My Ramp Be?

To determine your ramp length you first need to determine the rise.  The rise is the vertical measurement between the ground and where the top of the ramp is going to sit. 

Note: If your rise is more than 24″ (2 feet) please contact a local dealer about a modular system.

PVI recommends not to exceed a 2:12 slope (9.5° ramp incline) on most applications.  The slope relates to how steep the ramp is, in degrees of incline.  Some ramps may need to meet the ADA’s 1:12  (4.8°) more gradual slope requirements, as specified by your state. 

To find a 2:12 slope, take the total rise in inches (vertical measurement between the ground and the top of the step or landing) and divide it by 2.  The result is the number of feet of ramp length you need for that rise. 

Example: Say you have a 12″ rise.  Divide 12 by 2 and you get 6.  So a 12 inch rise requires a 6 foot ramp, using the 2:12 ratio.

A 1:12 slope (used by the ADA) would require 1 foot length of ramp for every inch of vertical rise.

Slope Recommendations based on Use of Ramp: 

• 1:12 SLOPE (4.8°) – Gradual, gentle incline, longest ramp.  Calculated as 1 foot length of ramp for every 1 inch of total vertical rise (the rise divided by 1).  A 5 inch rise requires a 5 foot ramp, a 12 inch rise requires a 12 foot ramp and so on.  The ADA recommends this slope for long home ramps as well as commercial ramps.  Note:  This 1:12 slope works for most strong, unassisted manual wheelchair users, although PVI always recommends assistance. 

• 2:12 SLOPE (9.5°) – Steeper incline, shorter ramp.  Calculate length of ramp in feet by dividing total rise by 2 (6″ of ramp length for every 1″ of rise). A 2:12 slope is the maximum acceptable grade (incline) for portable ramps used by occupied chairs and scooters, with a qualified assistant.

• 3:12 SLOPE (14.5°) – Steepest incline.  Calculate the length of ramp by dividing the total rise by 3 (4 feet of ramp length for every 12 inches of rise).  This 3:12 ratio should be used only for loading and unloading unoccupied chairs and scooters – (in and out of a truck or van, for example). 

Ramp Slope Chart

Photo courtesy of PVI, Inc.

Access Ramp Safety Guidelines

1. Always have a qualified assistant present when using any portable ramp.
2. Never exceed a slope greater than 2″ on 12″ (2:12 ratio) with an occupied chair or scooter.  Never exceed a slope greater than 3″ on 12″ (3:12 ratio) with an unoccupied chair or scooter.
3. Always make sure that the top of the ramp is secured on a step or landing before using.  It may be necessary to anchor the top of the ramp to the landing surface with steel scurity pins provided.
4. Make certain there is adequate head clearance prior to loading an occupied chair or scooter into a vehicle.
5. Always follow manufacturer recommendations for your chair or scooter.
6. Always use your lap belt.
7. If your ramp comes with a safety DVD, watch it.  All PVI ramps include a DVD.
8. If you need help, please call Allegro Medical at 800-861-3211.

Shop all Ramps

Shop Prairie View Ramps

Shop Multifold Ramps

Shop Rollup Ramps

Shop Singlefold/Suitcase Ramps

Shop Solid Ramps

Shop Telescoping Ramps

Shop Threshold Ramps

Shop Van Mount Ramps

Shop Wheelchair Carriers

If you have difficulty walking, or can’t walk at all, mobility scooters can be a fantastic way to get around the house, neighborhood, supermarket, zoo, airport – you name it. 

Scooter types vary widely.  Some are lightweight and compact – great for  running errands, but you wouldn’t be comfortable for long.  Some are narrow and others are heavy, wide and stable.  Some have knobby wheels for  rough terrain, but you wouldn’t want to take them into the supermarket.  Vastly different features and uses explains why so many people end up with more than one power scooter. 

Types of Mobility Scooters

 3 Wheel Indoor / Outdoor Scooters - For use inside and/or outside the home, these 3-wheeled scooters have two wheels in back and one in front.  Makes for a tight turning radius and lots of leg room. 

3 Wheel Travel Scooters -  Compact and able to negotiate narrow places and tight spaces, these lightweight 3-wheeled travel scooters are specially designed for fast and easy assembly and dis-assembly.  3-Wheel Travel Scooters are perfect for outings, vacations, shopping or errands.  When outdoors, use only only on even, paved surfaces. 

  3 Wheel Heavy Duty Scooters - Heavy duty scooters are built for larger-framed individuals and have rider weight capacity  ranges from 300 lbs up.  Powerful vehicles with lots of features, plus the tight turning radius found in 3-wheeled scooters.

See All 3 Wheel Mobility Scooters 

4 Wheel Indoor / Outdoor Scooters - The fourth wheel adds stability and provides a smoother ride on uneven surfaces.  Some 4-wheeled scooters are better suited for outside the home because of their size and turning radius so be sure to consider where you will be using your electric scooter.  If comfort, speed and battery range  are high on your list, you’re in the right place.

4 Wheel Travel Scooters - Compact and lightweight these mobility scooters with 4 wheeled stability are perfect for short jaunts or getting around town.  Designed for easy assembly, tear-down and portability, they fit right in your trunk.

4 Wheel Heavy Duty Scooters - The largest models of the power scooter, these heavy duty 4-wheelers are comfortable, rugged, stable, feature-rich, fast, dependable and durable.  Rider weight capacities range from 350 lbs to 500 lbs.  For the king of heavy duty suspension, luxury and durability, see the Wrangler PMV 4-Wheel All Terrain Scooter.

Don’t forget the Scooter Accessories including Mobility Ramps, Scooter Batteries, Scooter Covers and Canopies and Scooter Pouches

All Mobility Scooters

All 3 Wheel Mobility Scooters

All 4 Wheel Mobility Scooters

Related Articles:

Mobility Scooters: 3 Wheel or 4 Wheel?

5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Mobility Scooter

For Immediate Release: March 15, 2010

Online Medical Supplies Superstore Ships 1 Millionth Order

 AllegroMedical.com, the online medical supplies superstore, announced that is has reached the 1 million customer mark, meaning that just under 13 years, it has served more than a million customers nationwide.

 Mesa, AZ – March 15, 2010 – Allegro Medical has announced that it has now shipped 1 million orders since its website launched in 1997. The first company to sell medical supplies online, it has grown to become the largest online supplier of home health care products. Its diverse product line ranges from simple items such as latex exam gloves to orthopedic devices and wheelchairs.

 Allegro makes it easy for shoppers to find and buy top-quality medical products and have them delivered directly to their home or business. The company offers a broad range of durable medical equipment from top brands for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, commodes, walkers, ramps, shower chairs and more. Medical supplies such as catheters, wound care supplies, ostomy supplies and dietary supplements are also among the thousands of items for sale on Allegro Medical’s website.

 “We’ve come a long way since 1997.  And we owe it all to our hard working team and the ever increasing population of web shoppers,” said Craig Hood, President/CEO of Allegro Medical.  “People are surprised to learn that most of our online customers are age 60+.”  

 “For a caregiver, nothing is more important than easy access to medical supplies. Patients recovering from strokes, surgeries or serious accidents demand the best in quality care products, from a bath safety aid to a knee brace, and they are finding them at Allegro. If we continue to grow at our current pace, it won’t be long before we ship another million orders.”

 Allegro’s ecommerce site offers other products for the medical equipment and home healthcare supplies industry, such as health and fitness, weight loss dietary supplements, pain relief, maternity care, adult diapers and Over-the-Counter medications. It also sells products for emergency preparation. All of the company’s products are searchable by keyword, category, brand, and by medical condition.

About Allegro Medical

 With 45,000 medical supplies available on their website, Allegro Medical offers their customers both value and variety.  The online superstore is also known for stellar customer service and speedy home delivery.  For more information, please visit AllegroMedical.com.

It surprised me to learn that more than 1 million people in the U.S. experience a significant slip, trip or fall each year.  And an average of 17,000 of them die because of it. 

According to the National Safety Council, 70% of slips and falls occur on level ground, by everyday people like you and me.

The risks of falling increase as we age.  Annually, about 30% of those age 65 and older fall at least once, and 15% fall twice.  Many falls result in broken bones or death.  Of course there are risk groups among children as well.  Infants are more likely to fall from furniture, while toddlers are more likely to fall from windows. 

The good news is that most falls are preventable.   What are you doing to prevent falls in and around your home?

Slip and Fall Prevention Products

Standers and Standing Aids

Walkers

Rollators

Mobility Scooters for Indoors and Outdoors

Canes

Grab Bars

Bed Rails

Toilet Safety Frames

Raised Toilet Seats

Shower Chairs

Bone Health

Balance and Core Strength

Ramps

Bed Alarms

Baby Gates and Railnets

Children’s Bed Rails 

 Nightlights

Don’t let slips and falls happen to your or your loved ones!  Take stock and put together your Fall Prevention Plan today.

People are asking, “How can I help the earthquake victims?” Medical supply and medical equipment donations are your way of ensuring that these critical products reach those in need of medical help.  You are essentially helping to save lives.  To find donation sites in your area, google “medical supplies donation sites (your city or state)”. 

Sources from state and local organizations nationwide are asking for the following medical supplies:

Exam Gloves - Save 40% on a box of 100 Invacare Powder-Free Vinyl Exam Gloves.  Only $5.95.  Save even more on boxes of 1000.  Save 27% on Sterile Surgical Gloves.

See all discounted Surgical Medical Supplies

Wound Care Supplies  – Save 25% or more on Bandages, Wound Care Dressings, Gauze, and Tape.

Syringes & Needles - Save 40% or more on Needle/Syringe Combos, Hypodermic Needles, Sharps Disposal and Syringes.

Alcohol Wipes & Prep Solutions - Save 51% on alcohol prep pads.

Elastic Bandages, Splinting & Casting Supplies - All shapes and sizes of orthotic and orthopedic supplies are needed. 

Hand Sanitizers, Antiseptics and Disinfectants - Save on all sanitizing medical supplies.

See all Personal Protection medical supplies.

Emergency Medical Supplies - Save 60% and more on Disaster Relief and Disaster Prep medical supplies including First Aid Kits, Hygiene Supplies, and Emergency Water and Water Purification Equipment

Condition related medical supplies are also needed including Catheters, Incontinence, Ostomy Supplies and Diabetic Supplies.  Nothing is too specific.

The list of medical products needed does not end with just medical supplies.  Durable medical equipment  is also in short supply in Haiti.  For larger donations see Walkers, Canes, Crutches, Wheelchairs, Ramps, Heart Defibrillators and Bathroom Assists.

How can you help?  Join the thousands of people supporting the humanitarian efforts in Haiti by donating medical supplies to your local donation sites.  Your donation will not be in vain and no donation is too small.  Every bit will help. 

Thank you for being an Allegro customer.