by Michelle Seitzer

My grandfather loved getting mail from Publisher’s Clearing House (PCH). Though he occasionally bought a few of the advertised knickknacks in hopes of a big sweepstakes win, I’m thankful it never went further.

Unfortunately, many seniors find themselves the targets of scams that are much bigger — and way more financially damaging — than PCH.

According the National Council on Aging, the top ten scams impacting seniors are as follows: health care/medicare/health insurance fraud, counterfeit prescription drugs, funeral and cemetery scams, fraudulent anti-aging products, telemarketing (i.e. fake accident policies or fake charities soliciting funds), internet fraud, investment schemes, homeowner/reverse mortgage scams, sweepstakes and lottery scams, and the grandparent scam (i.e. a phone call from a grandchild asking for money via Western Union).

Here are a few tips for preventing the financial harm that scams can cause:

Tip #1: Ask questions. If a piece of mail seems fishy, an email suspicious, or a call bizarre, then it’s probably not legitimate. Ask questions of the sender/caller to learn more about the nature of their request and the so-called company they’re representing. If it’s a scam, they’re likely to get nervous, hang up quickly or drop online communication once you start investigating further.

Tip #2: Be on your guard. You don’t want to be so cautious that you become paranoid. However, it is important to be vigilant, to be aware of your finances, protective of your identity, and the way your personal information is shared. Unfortunately, many financial abuse scams involving seniors happen at the hands of family members or close friends trusted with highly sensitive personal data. Be sure that the person you choose to manage your family’s finances has been thoroughly vetted and is held accountable by an objective third party or other trusted family member.

Tip #3: Don’t give out sensitive personal information. On the phone, on the internet, in the store: whether it’s your home address or Social Security Number, it’s almost always unnecessary for retailers, vendors or others to have this information. If someone asks for this data, ask questions (as per tip #1) as to why it’s necessary, and if the answer is vague (as it’s likely to be), cancel your order and walk away from the transaction.

Tip #4: Research their credentials. Along with asking questions, it’s important to dig a little deeper on the experience, track record and background of the person or business promising great things at a great price. This is especially true in the case of purchasing, renting or installing mobility equipment. Don’t just go for the cheaper rates. Work with a recommended, experienced professional company or individual to be sure that the equipment is safely and properly installed.

Tip #5: Beef up your online security efforts. If you are active online — even just for a few hours here and there — make sure all your systems are secured. Change your passwords often, backup your important documents, do regular virus checks, enable a spam filter on email, and stay away from spammy sites.

A number of great scam prevention resources (184 articles total, to be exact) are available on the Better Business Bureau website via this link. Also, find senior- and caregiver-specific scam prevention tips in this recap of a recent #ElderCareChat conversation, a real-time Twitter forum for elder care professionals, caregivers and advocates.

101 Mobility recently met with Founder, Kyria Henry and Executive Director, Terry Henry of paws4people™, to learn about service canines. Kyria and Terry brought two service dogs with them to demonstrate what these amazingly intelligent and skilled animals are capable of.

What is paws4people™?
The Mission of the paws4people_™ foundation is to enhance the lives of active-duty service members, veterans, children/students, and seniors by utilizing the “special powers” of canine companionship and service displayed by highly trained assistance dogs, through specialized educational, private placement, therapeutic and visitation programs.

What is the difference between my dog and a service dog?
It is important to first understand that there are different types of dogs providing different services to humans.

Community Dogs: Community dogs are dogs that provide companionship to a service member, veteran or a senior who just lost a spouse and needs more than a pet. They receive roughly 120 hours of obedience training and at least three months of social training, meaning guided interaction with other animals and people in different settings.

Therapy Dogs: Therapy dogs receive obedience training and socialization in addition to learning far more extensive commands and facility training. Therapy dogs’ sole mission is to visit nursing homes, schools, and hospitals/hospice facilities and bring a sense of joy to patients. Therapy dogs are allowed ‘limited’ public access according to ADA guidelines, and only allowed in places where they are fulfilling their service duties, such as a hospital or nursing home.

Indirect Service Assistance Dogs: Indirect Service Assistance Dogs are also known as ‘Facility Dogs.’ These dogs are trained, certified and placed with a specific individual such as an educator, therapist or other health professional who will use the dog within his/her profession to provide educational instruction or therapeutic interventions to students with special needs or individuals with physical, neurological, psychological and/or emotional disabilities. These dogs do not live with the student or patient; they are kept with the handler.

Direct Service Assistance Dogs: These dogs are trained starting at just three days old, certified and placed with a specific individual who has a definable physical, neurological, psychological and/or emotional disability or disabilities. The direct-service assistance dog provides the client with assistance in conducting daily living activities, thus enabling them to perform more independently than they otherwise would without their assistance dog (AD). These are the dogs that you may see wearing a harness with someone who is blind (they are serving as a guide dog).

What do the direct service assistance dogs do?
Direct service dogs have full public access as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. paws4people carefully trains each dog on a different set of commands specific to the human’s disabilities or needs. Some dogs are able to detect seizures in their humans eight hours prior and allow the human to take the proper precautions or medications. Other service dogs are trained to guide the blind (although paws4people™ does not train guide dogs, some other programs do) or to alert the deaf or hard of hearing. There are some service dogs trained to recognize dangerous blood sugar levels for humans with diabetes. Wheelchair users also utilize service dogs to assist in daily living tasks such as picking up or retrieving certain items, opening doors, carrying items, and turning on/off lights. One of the newest uses for service dogs has been to help mitigate symptoms of severe PTSD, TBI and other neurological disorders.

A few impressive feats from a direct service assistance dog:

•         Opening a door
•         Knowing over 130 commands
•         Ability to read flash cards: ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ etc.
•         Helping with laundry

How can I get a service assistance dog from paws4people™?
paws4people™ is just as careful in selecting the service dogs they train as the humans they train to properly utilize these special canines. paws4people™ will assess your needs and if selected, you will be matched with the dog that chooses YOU. The dog will demonstrate that he or she accepts your personality, disabilities, smell, assistive devices, etcetera.  From there, the canine will receive the training that is specific to your needs. Unfortunately, there are not enough dogs to go around for everyone, so the selection process is meticulous. To learn more about the service assistance dog application process and to submit an application, click here.

*The information in the blog post is cited from the paws4people™ website and interview with Kyria and Terry Henry. Other Service Dog Training entities may show varying information as no program is exactly alike*

Mothers are naturally caregivers: they raise us, take care of us, and teach us about life. To honor mothers everywhere, 101 Mobility employees and franchisees shared their reflections on these important women:

 Motherly advice:

• Above all else, be honest with yourself about your motivations.

• To remember I am the only one who can defeat myself.

• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Treat others the way you would want to be treated.

• Always treat your girlfriend like a queen.

• If you want a committed man—go to a mental hospital. (She is such a hoot—and she loved to tell us girls this…. funny thing is my dad is and always has been completely committed.)

• Don’t listen to what others tell you that you can or can’t do – know your potential.

• Always have your own money.

• If you choose to run with the dogs you catch the fleas.

• My mom told me that when somebody is rude to me or cuts me off, not to react back with rudeness or anger because you never know what’s going on in their life that is hurting them so badly they need to act out.

• Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.

• If money can fix it, it’s not a problem.

Wise sayings we grew up hearing:

• For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring. - Carl Sagan

• Pretty is as pretty does.

• You catch more bees with honey than you do vinegar.

• Never get your honey where your money comes from.

• “Because I said so.” She had to say it often with three kids always asking why!

• Learn from your mistakes and failures.

• The dog did it, ladies don’t fart.

• They don’t know me from Adams house cat/I don’t know them from Adams house cat.

Mom, thank you for…

• always being there for me. - Lisa Fosbury, Owner of 101 Mobility Raleigh and Durham

• working so hard to let me go to college. - Kristine Kohlbrecher, Owner of 101 Mobility St. Louis

• always being there for me and standing by me and of course your unconditional love. I love you with all of my heart.  - Lori D., Account Manager 

• your patience. - Ed Goschinski, Owner of 101 Mobility Cincinnati and Dayton

• the kindness, love and caring you show for everyone around you. - Jack Shoemaker, Owner of 101 Mobility Charlotte and Winston-Salem

• being there for me always and filling my life with love. - Natalie G., Human Resources

• demonstrating strength when times were hard, allowing me to learn the hard way, demanding respect from me/everyone, and being so generous with your HUGE ‘saint-like’ heart - Monique W., Copywriter 

• teaching me how to cook. - Jill Taylor, Owner of 101 Mobility San Antonio

• raising me to be a strong and independent woman. - Michelle S., Blogger

• putting up with my rash decision-making and rollercoaster lifestyle. At least I have made life interesting. - Jacqueline R., Account Manager 

• loving me even though I wasn’t the easiest child to raise. - Joel B., Marketing Director 

• always being a mom first, so now we can be friends. - Courtney S., Receptionist

• everything! Being my mom, my best friend. - Leigh K., Certified Aging in Place Specialist 

• being my mom and of course, my best friend! - Kelly M., Content Writer/Web Developer at 101 Mobility

• I was 22 when my Mother passed away, so there is a lot I could thank her for that I did not understand to when I was younger. Today, I would have to say, “Mom, thank you for teaching me to believe in myself and to understand with hard work I can do anything I put my mind to.” - Glorya H., Senior Accountant 

by Michelle Seitzer

Teachers are with your children for at least 7 hours a day, 5 days a week, 9 months of the year… and sometimes more. Even when they’re not at school, they’re thinking of your children in some way — grading papers, creating lesson plans, brainstorming solutions for various classroom challenges.

Good news: you don’t have to wait until the last day of school to say thanks for all those efforts. Teacher Appreciation Week kicks off with National Teacher Day on Tuesday, May 7th. As the spouse of a teacher, I can say this is the perfect time of year to give them a boost and show your gratitude.

I’m also a soon-to-be parent of a special needs child, and I’m already looking forward to thanking my daughter’s future teachers for the extra efforts they put forth in supporting students with special needs, whether physical, cognitive, emotional or social.

On the National Education Association website, you’ll find a number of ideas for giving an A+ to the special teacher(s) in your children and grandchildren’s lives. We’ll highlight a few of them here:

• Brag about a special teacher(s) on social media. There are a few ways to do so: change your Facebook profile picture or Twitter avatar to the image above (which can be uploaded from the NEA Today Facebook page). Mention a teacher who changed your life in a Facebook status. Tweet about a special teacher using this hashtag: #thankateacher. Tweet suggestions are available on the NEA website
• Sign this pledge of support for educators across the country.
• Work together with student groups to provide special refreshments (cookies, pizza, drinks, snacks, breakfast items) in the Teacher’s Lounge.
• Give a bouquet of flowers or balloons to brighten the classroom.
• For business owners in the community: offer discounts to teachers for any purchases made on May 7th.

Head to this page on the NEA website for more ideas & inspiration.

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Think of these timeless words from John C. Maxwell in a different way this coming week. Show the teachers in  your life that you care about the difference they’re making, so they can continue to care for your children!

Also, check out the ways that 101 Mobility has helped special needs students in the community achieve their educational goals and dreams.

I had never really heard of ALS, (Lou Gherigs Disease)….until it happened to someone I knew.

 It was my last year of high school when I learned that one of my best friend’s fathers, Dennis was diagnosed with ALS. Dennis was our town Magistrate, he was educated, personable and loved his family. At the time of Dennis’ diagnosis, I didn’t fully understand the disease and its ramifications.

Living in a town only 25 miles around, word travels fast; I remember hearing whispers and conversations from members of the community about how ‘ugly’ things could turn for Dennis and his family. Bits and pieces of information about the disease’s fatality began to circulate around town but reading about ALS and hearing about ALS is different from seeing it come and suddenly strip away the voice, facial expressions and mobility from someone you care about.

Over the next few years, I visited home during college breaks and witnessed Dennis at different points throughout the disease’s progression, each time his health rapidly declining. A year after the diagnosis, I went home for Christmas. Dennis, no longer working, was receiving at-home care and was no longer able to form words. Although Dennis could not speak, he walked over handing me gifts as he flailed his arms up in excitement. I’ll never forget that Christmas.

Two years later, I went home again. It was last time that I saw Dennis. He was unable to get out of bed and could literally not move a muscle. It was difficult to see him fall so quickly to such a mysterious and debilitating disease. Dennis passed away in 2008. That experience left me wanting to learn more about ALS (Lou Gherigs Disease) and to help others facing it.

Until this year, I had never lived in a place that offered the ALS walk. When I found out about it, I knew it was something that I wanted to commit to. This was my first year participating and it felt great to raise money for such a worthy cause. There was a tremendous sense of community present at the walk. Many teams were made up of family members whom had already lost a loved one to ALS, others there had ALS – everyone there was fighting for a cure. I will continue to fight ALS by raising money, support and participating in local walks.

- Courtney, 101 Mobility employee

What is ALS (Lou Gherigs Disease)?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2012):

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressing and invariably fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) that are responsible for controlling voluntary muscles.  Messages from upper motor neurons in the brain are transmitted to lower motor neurons in the spinal cord and from them to particular muscles. Voluntary muscles are muscles that we consciously use such as our fingers, arms, legs and even lungs to a certain extent (you can hold your breath if you want for example).  A prime example of an involuntary muscle would be the heart, you can’t tell your heart to stop beating.  In ALS, both the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons degenerate or die, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, waste away (atrophy), and twitch (fasciculations). Patients have increasing problems with moving, swallowing (dysphagia), and speaking or forming words (dysarthria). Symptoms of upper motor neuron involvement include tight and stiff muscles (spasticity) and exaggerated reflexes (hyperreflexia) including an overactive gag reflex. Eventually, ALS patients lose the strength and ability to move their voluntary muscles.

ALS does not affect a person’s ability to think, see, smell, taste, hear, or recognize touch. Patients usually maintain control of eye muscles and bladder and bowel functions, although in the late stages of the disease most patients will need help getting to and from the bathroom.

For more information, visit http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis/detail_ALS.htm

What can I do to help?
For more information on ALS, your local chapter and how to get involved, visit: http://www.alsa.org/

Hotwheels vs. 101 Mobility play adaptive hockey.

Power wheelchair hockey is a form of adaptable street hockey in which all players use a wheelchair or power chair. Power wheelchair hockey provides a physical and competitive outlet for people with Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy and Autism among other disabilities. I recently had the opportunity to play against a local team founded by Hoggard High School Senior, Justin Verzaal, who also captains the team. Since the ‘Hotwheels’ inception, their players are undefeated and have beat the local Fire Department, Police Department and the Hoggard HS Baseball Team. I played against Hotwheels along with coworkers from 101 Mobility, a national franchisor located here in Wilmington. Powerchair Hockey has an “only wheels on the court” rule, whether you need a wheelchair or not.

As one of the 101 Mobility hockey players, I learned that it wasn’t easy trying to maneuver a manual wheelchair especially when you are carrying a hockey stick and trying to use a wheelchair at the same time. I used my knees to hold onto the stick while pushing the wheelchair wheel handles to move forward, backward, left, or right. In order to hit the puck (a whiffle ball in this case), I had to learn to put a ‘brake’ on the wheels with just one hand while simultaneously picking up the hockey stick with the other.

Controlling the chair was difficult. During first and second quarters, I kept missing the puck because I hadn’t mastered how to swivel quick enough to block the whiffle ball before the opponent got to it. By the third quarter, I finally learned how to use the chair and I was able to defend the whiffle ball from the other team.

By the end of the game, my arms were exhausted. I was sore for a couple of days. The soreness came from using my muscles and balance to maneuver the wheels – there were times that I pushed the wheels as hard as I could to roll forward faster in order to catch up with everyone or chase the whiffle ball. As an ambulatory person, I never knew how much work could be involved in using a wheelchair. I’m in awe of people that use a manual wheelchair in an everyday life – I now have an idea of the strength required to get around. Hotwheels beat 101 Mobility, 4-3, in the end. The Hotwheels players demonstrated such skill as they effortlessly maneuvered their chairs while keeping the movement of the whiffle ball and their hockey sticks in mind.   I have a new appreciation for the sport and the Hotwheels players.

Statue of Liberty National Park, New York
Lady Liberty is a robed bronze statue of a woman triumphantly lifting a torch to the skies with her right hand as she clutches a tablet with the date of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) in her left arm. With broken shackles at her feet and a crown atop her head, this gift from the French represents freedom and democracy for all. The Statue of Liberty has long been accessible on the first floor only. As of July 4, 2013, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty will be totally wheelchair accessible. *The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will be closed to the public until July 4, 2013, due to damages from Hurricane Sandy.

Lady Liberty is a robed bronze statue of a woman triumphantly lifting a torch to the skies with her right hand as she clutches a tablet with the date of the Declaration of Independence (July 4^th, 1776) in her left arm. With broken shackles at her feet and a crown atop her head, this gift from the French represents freedom and democracy for all. The Statue of Liberty has long been accessible on the first floor only. As of July 4^th, 2013, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty will be totally wheelchair accessible. *The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will be closed to the public until July 4^th, 2013, due to damages from Hurricane Sandy.

Photo by John de Rosier

Denali National Park and Reserve, Alaska
The Denali National Park and Preserve is home to North America’s highest mountain peak, Mount McKinley. Denali is composed of over six million acres of federally protected land. This park features a mix of natural habitats, from forests to tundra, rocky mountains to glaciers. Denali is known to be a birdwatchers’ paradise but is also home to grizzly bears, black bears and caribou.

Denali National Park and Preserve features several ADA complaint trails, all of which are composed of compacted gravel and range from three to ten feet wide. A popular wheelchair accessible trail is the McKinley Station Trail. This 1.5 mile, 6 foot wide trail allows visitors to view the diverse taiga forest, several cultural sites, Hines Creek, and the Alaska Range, among other sites! The McKinley Station Trail also connects to the visitor center and a campground.

Photograph courtesy of National Park Service

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park evokes images of Smokey the Bear for some, and ancient boiling springs for others. Yellowstone hosts the globe’s largest collection of geysers. Visitors often stop by to see Old Faithful erupt for a glimpse into one of the earth’s most ancient ecological habitats. Much of the park is laid out into steep mountainsides which are home to wolves, bears, bison and elk, but Old Faithful is totally wheelchair accessible. A 1.5 mile (3 miles round trip) wheelchair accessible trail leads from the visitors center to Morning Glory Hot Spring (pictured below). Wheelchair users should remain alert on the trail as it is shared with plenty of bikers.

Photography by Matthias Kabel

Congaree National Park, South Carolina
The Congaree National Park in South Carolina is one of the world’s largest deciduous forests. The biodiversity noted  are astonishing and the greenery is absolutely breathtaking in this expansive old growth bottomland hardwood forest. Those who require the use of a wheelchair or scooter may enjoy their 2.4 miles wheelchair accessible boardwalk loop. All public facilities at the Congaree National Park are ADA complaint, including the port-a-johns. Plan to visit this park on a relatively dry day as water levels may rise to cover the boardwalk loop during times of heavy and consistent rainfall.

Photo by Ken Lund

• For further information on national parks and monuments with universal design specifications, please visit www.nps.gov. If you are traveling to any of these destinations, remember there may be limited wheelchair rentals available. Carrying your own mobility device on the road may lessen the hassle. Many travelers opt for auto lifts for their car, truck, van or SUV, and some choose to bring a folding ramp and/or install a turning automotive seat for added convenience. To learn more about mobility solutions on the go, visit 101mobility.com and give us a call for assistance in your area.

by Michelle Seitzer

At this time of year, most people are thrilled to open the windows and air out the house after a long winter, then promptly commence the season with a deep spring clean. But a spray bottle of Lysol and a gallon of bleach are no match for the home of a hoarder.

Unfortunately, mobility issues and hoarding are partners in crime, which means that many seniors aging in place at home struggle with keeping things clean, safe, sanitary and clutter-free. They may also tend to isolate themselves, which further intensifies the propensity to hoard.

If it’s time for spring cleaning at a hoarder’s house, consider these tips for moving forward through the mess:

Get to the heart of the issue. Find out what is causing the hoarding behavior and deal with it accordingly — otherwise, you’ll be spring cleaning every other week.

• Is it anxiety-based, OCD-based, or an actual compulsive hoarding disorder? Depression, medication side effects, Alzheimer’s and dementia can also aggravate hoarding tendencies and behaviors. Find out what’s behind the hoarding and treatment options in this helpful post from AgingCare.com.

• Is it an emotional void the individual is seeking to fill? There is probably no other age group that experiences grief and loss as frequently as seniors. In many cases, the loss of a spouse, loss of independence due to an injury or illness, the loss of memory or cognitive function due to dementia, or the continual loss of friends and loved ones can lead to hoarding. This CaregiverStress.com article, 10 reasons seniors keep stuff, will help you sort through the motivations behind hanging on to a hoard; among them, fear, fatigue and loneliness.

• Is it Diogenes Syndrome? Also known as senile squalor syndrome, Diogenes is often brought on by dementia or frontal lobe impairment. Although a person’s idiosyncrasies can be exacerbated with age, as this article from APlaceForMom.com says, Diogenes Syndrome is a legitimate cause and effect relationship that impacts many older hoarders. Learn more about Diogenes Syndrome here. 

Intervene. There may be several issues feeding the hoarding (dementia, loneliness, and grief); if so, approach each one and find a solution for each. This guide, 10 reasons for senior hoarding: how a caregiver can help, presents valuable suggestions for various hoarding scenarios.If these suggestions get you nowhere, check out Senior hoarding: If a senior won’t let go.

Make a plan. Experts at APlaceforMom.com recommend an organized plan of action, starting with enlisting help from a group of friends, family members, or professionals. Next, schedule a date, and work room by room, no matter how hard it is not to think of all the other rooms you must clean and clear out. Finally, delegate tasks to your group members and create a system for setting aside keepsakes and valuables, charitables/donations, and trash.

Prevent future clutter creep. Spring cleaning should only come but once a year, provided you maintain the deep clean you completed on that first warm weekend. With a hoarder, that requires extra due diligence, and often on the part of the caregiver. This Caregiver’s Guide to Spot Clutter Creep is a perfect tool for staying on top of the mess by focusing on problem areas where hoarders tend to store extra stuff.

Read our post Aging in Place Alone? Tips for Preventing Injuries and Isolation for ideas on modifying the home, installing mobility aids like a stairlift or wheelchair ramp, and other suggestions for making the home a safe place to age in.

What Should I Know Before Purchasing a Turning Seat?

Turning automotive seats are individual seats that can be installed into a vehicle to provide better mobility for the driver or passenger. Turning automotive seats by Bruno are universally fit for a wide range of vehicles, from an SUV to a pickup truck or sedan. These seats are typically purchased through a mobility dealer. At 101 Mobility, we sell and install turning automotive seats for customers nationwide.

How does a Turning Automotive Seat work?

Bruno offers four different turning seat models from their Valet™ Signature Seating line. Each model is designed to provide certain features depending on vehicle specifications and customers’ needs. In a compact car or sedan that is low to the ground, the turning seat will rotate outward of the car for an easy exit. In SUVs, pickup trucks and other lifted vehicles, the turning seat will slowly rotate to extend out of the vehicle and then lower to the ground – making transfers a breeze. Click here to take a look at the Valet™ Signature Seating line by Bruno.

Is a Turning Automotive Seat right for me?

Turning automotive seats are great for passengers or drivers. A turning seat will not improve driving ability, but it will allow users to either independently exit their vehicle or safely transfer from their vehicle to a wheelchair or scooter. Anyone with a lifted vehicle may find that a turning automotive seat is even more necessary. People who require the use of a wheelchair will find transfers to be easier with a turning seat. Those who rely on the use of a cane or other assistive walking devices may find that a turning seat allows them to safely exit their vehicle with little or no dependence on others for help.

Will a Turning Automotive Seat installation affect my vehicle’s re-sale value?

No. Our skilled service technicians install the seat without causing any permanent structural modifications to your vehicle;  turning seat installations do not affect the resale value of your vehicle, and they can be moved to a different vehicle.

What do they cost?

A turning automotive seat can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000 depending on your physical requirements, potential upgrades and the make, model and year of your vehicle. Many 101 Mobility franchisees offer special payment plans to eligible candidates.

How do I get one?

There is no one-product-fits-all solution. Many customers who have auto lifts or folding ramps for on-the-go access find that turning seats add to their independence. We work closely with our customers to identify which turning seat will best suit their needs. Learn more about purchasing a turning seat by contacting 101 Mobility today. Have the year, make and model of your vehicle on hand. To ensure the best fit for you or your loved one’s needs, we will send a professional service technician to evaluate your car, truck, van or SUV.

Call 101 Mobility today – 1.888.258.0652

by Michelle Seitzer

Aging in place, otherwise known as staying home for as long as possible, is what most people want for their lives. They want to be independent, comfortable, and in control of their circumstances and surroundings, regardless of the changes that growing older may bring.

If you or someone you know would do anything to stay home, following these house rules are bound to obliterate all plans of staying put:

1. Let the phone ring when your kids are calling. This is a surefire way to throw your adult children into panic and paranoia, followed by planning your move to a senior living community, or one of their homes, immediately.
2. Move furniture & DIY (do-it-yourself). The doctor said not to bend, lift, or strain to pick up heavy items. But if the living room couch just doesn’t look right in that corner anymore, or you’ve got to take a look at that record player on the top shelf, don’t call your grandsons to come help you… it only wastes time.
3. Slide down the banister. If it’s too difficult to get up and down the stairs without risking a fall, by all means — ditch the cane, throw away the information your son gathered about installing a stair lift, and go for a ride like you did when you were 12.
4. Keep your doors and windows open/unlocked. This is especially effective when done overnight.
5. Don’t put any lights on when you need to use the bathroom at night. It’s a quick and easy way to cause an unnecessary fall, especially since you’ve been collecting the week’s laundry and mail in the hallway.
6. Get rid of the grab bars, non-slip rugs and mats in the bathroom/shower. Isn’t your balance better when the surfaces below you are in their most slippery state? And you keep bumping your head on those grab bars; they’re more harmful than helpful, in your opinion.
7. Don’t throw out anything in the fridge, pantry or medicine cabinets. Someone might be able to use those expired antidepressants and moldy peaches.
8. Refuse to learn how to use computers, tablets and cell phones. You want to maintain your privacy, right? Isolating yourself and cutting off new means of communication is a good way to show your independence.

All joking aside (Happy April 1st!), we offer many useful tips and resources for successful aging in place here at the 101 Mobility blog. Check out the posts and help yourself or a loved one make their stay-at-home-for-as-long-as-possible dreams come true!

Also, if an older loved one is truly having difficulty managing household tasks at home (i.e. laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.), consider bringing in home care help. It’s a great alternative to full-time residential care. Learn more here.