101 Mobility Opens Franchise in Austin Market

New Company Fills Niche for Empowering the Disabled and Mobility Challenged in Austin

(Austin, TX)—Husband and wife team Bruce and Debra Dowden of Cedar Park are the owners/operators of 101 Mobility’s latest Texas Franchise serving Austin and surrounding areas, from South Austin to Waco. 101 Mobility Austin will join the Houston and San Antonio franchises in a recent string of 101 Mobility openings across the Lone Star State. As lifelong Texans, the Dowdens bring over three decades of management, purchasing, and finance experience to the organization. The Dowdens are active members in their community, and look forward to serving their neighbors with quality of life products that positively address personal mobility issues; allowing people to stay in their homes or “age-in-place”, despite facing everyday challenges such as stairways, raised porches, and other obstacles.

The Dowdens share a particular interest in helping the senior community, and felt that 101 Mobility offered a well-rounded model for assessing and supplying the mobility and accessibility needs of the seniors and mobility-challenged in their market. “Our goal is to be able to look back at the end of the day and see that we have helped people”, says Debra Dowden. “Through that, we hope to add value, not only to our lives, but to the community as a whole.”

101 Mobility Austin will focus on helping clients age-in-place by selling, installing, and servicing ramps, stair lifts, automobile lifts, patient lifts, vertical lifts, barrier-free baths and offering complete home modifications to incorporate total accessibility solutions. 101 Mobility is one of the nation’s largest sellers and installers of personal mobility products from well-known brands such as Bruno, Harmar, Liko, and many more.

101 Mobility is also a leader in providing services to our United States Veterans through the U.S. Veteran’s Administration. The Dowdens are especially excited to have the opportunity to give back to our Military Veterans. “Having  Veterans in our family, including a daughter and son-in-law that are currently serving on active duty, has made this opportunity to work with Veterans very special to us”, says Bruce Dowden.  “We consider it an honor to help those that have served and are proud to do so.”

101 Mobility is the franchising world’s first full-service sales, service, and installation provider of a complete line of mobility and accessibility products and equipment, including stair lifts, auto lifts, ramps, porch lifts, patient lifts, power wheelchairs, scooters and more. Short and long-term rentals are also available for home, office, and institution. By working with patients to identify which home health care devices best suit each individual’s needs, 101 Mobility provides an alternative to group homes and rehabilitation centers by allowing patients to live self-sufficiently in their homes.

For more information, visit www.101mobility.com or call 512.650.0354.

101 Mobility Introduces Bruno’s New Elan (SRE-3000) Stairlift

101 Mobility is proud to add another top quality Bruno stairlift to their product line, the new Elan SRE-3000 stairlift. This straight rail stairlift offers homeowners exceptional value for the price. The Elan by Bruno comes loaded with many standard features normally only associated with top-of-the-line models.

With the new Elan SRE-3000 stair lift, you will once again be able to safely use the stairs in your home. Enjoy quality features including:

• Safety sensors that stop the stairlift whenever an obstruction is encountered
• Continuous charge strips along the rail ensure safe use even during power outages
• Height adjustable, offset swivel seat for safe exit at the top of the stairs
• Can be installed to within 5” of the wall
• Can be installed on either side of the stairway
• Fold up armrests, seat, and footrests - Takes up only 12” of space when all are in the fold-up position
• Comes with 2 wireless call/send controls

The Elan stair lift has been specially designed for those homes that have a narrow hallway or entry way area at the bottom of the stairs. The “Flip-Up” folding rail option on the Bruno Elan stairlift enables you to release the bottom portion of the rail and fold it up and out of the way. The locking lever can be released with the push of your foot or walking cane and the light weight rail easily folds up with the assistance of a gas spring leaving the walkway at the bottom of the stairs clear.

At 101 Mobility, we are proud to carry the finest mobility products available today. The Bruno Elan stairlift is sure to become one of our most popular offerings as it allows homeowners the ability to age in place and live independently in the homes they love.

For more information on the Bruno Elan stairlift, please contact the 101 Mobility location nearest you.

Turning Seats for Safe Exit and Entry into Your Car

Is getting into and out of your car becoming a challenge? Are you worried about tripping over your car’s threshold? As the snow and ice pile up this winter, are you concerned about losing your footing? If you get more and more nervous each time you enter or exit your car, now is the time to call 101 Mobility about installing the innovative Turning Automotive Seat into your car, truck or van.

Made by Bruno, the Turning Automotive Seat is a unique solution that helps you to easily enter or exit your vehicle.  Most Bruno Turning Automotive Seats come with custom mounting kits that fit into your car without requiring any additional modifications. Some of the turning seat models are even versatile enough to be installed on the drivers or passenger’s side of your vehicle. Bruno turning seats can accommodate a maximum weight capacity ranging from 220 to 330 pounds depending on the style of seat chosen. Bruno turning seats are specially designed to meet or exceed Federal safety standards. Most Bruno turning seats qualify for reimbursement under the terms of the Mobility Programs offered by most major auto manufacturers.

At 101 Mobility, we offer a wide variety of Turning Automotive Seat models for you to choose from. The team at your local 101 Mobility can help you find just the right Turning Automotive Seat to meet your needs. For more information on the available Bruno Turning Automotive Seat models, please contact your local 101 Mobility office today.

Where the heart is: how to pay for home modifications

By Michelle Seitzer

Aging in place (AIP) costs considerably less than assisted living care, but it’s not free.

Though funds are dwindling for many senior-related programs (Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security have all spent ample time on the chopping block lately), there are still a number of federal, state, local and private organizations that offer financial support to seniors who want to stay where the heart is.

To begin – because first you might need to sell the idea to skeptical family members, or just figure out what modifications are needed before getting the capital to do it – get to know what services and resources are offered in your home state via these helpful sites:

• Search for home repair and modification resources in your region at Eldercare.gov.
• HomeMods.org is a national information clearinghouse on all things related to home modifications. Professionals and consumers alike can peruse an extensive resource directory on the site.
• Not sure if your own home or a senior loved one’s residence is adaptable for AIP? Most are, but the WellCome Home site helps you clearly see the potential and know where to direct your energies and efforts when it’s time to transform the home.
• Download this Home Safety Checklist from Rebuilding Together, Inc. to remove fall hazards and resolve accessibility issues, many of which may be implemented without spending a dime.

Should the need arise for assistive equipment (such as power chairs or stair lifts) or home modifications (like wheelchair ramps or door-opening systems), here are a few ways to ease the burden of purchasing or installing these costly components.

Claim a deduction. Russell Glickman, a DC-based home design and remodeling expert, recommends conferring with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to find out whether you or a loved one is eligible to deduct the cost of home modifications on your federal income tax. You need a written recommendation from your doctor as proof that the modifications are medically necessary. Glickman also states that you can claim a deduction for the costs of operating and maintaining the modifications, whether or not the stair lift, ramp, or other equipment qualified as a medical expense. Home improvements (or capital expenses) that may be deducted per the IRS.gov are as follows:

• Constructing entrance or exit ramps for your home.
• Widening doorways at entrances or exits to your home.
• Widening or otherwise modifying hallways and interior doorways.
• Installing railings, support bars, or other modifications to bathrooms.
• Lowering or modifying kitchen cabinets and equipment.
• Moving or modifying electrical outlets and fixtures.
• Installing porch lifts and other forms of lifts (but elevators generally add value to the house).
• Modifying fire alarms, smoke detectors, and other warning systems.
• Modifying stairways.
• Adding handrails or grab bars anywhere (whether or not in bathrooms).
• Modifying hardware on doors.
• Modifying areas in front of entrance and exit doorways.
• Grading the ground to provide access to the residence.

Note: You can only itemize these deductions if the main purpose of installation is medical care for you, a spouse or dependent (modifications made for aesthetic, architectural or other personal reasons do not qualify). Permanent improvements that boost your property’s value may be partially included as a deduction; in this case, the cost of the home modification is reduced by the amount of the property value increase (whatever the difference is what your qualified medical expense to deduct will be). If the home modification does not increase your property value, you can deduct the whole cost as a medical expense.

Visit the Area Agency on Aging. Every state offers different incentives, programs, and benefits to their senior residents. The best way to learn about them all, in addition to any tax credits or federal monies available through Medicare, Medicaid (in some states, you may be able to qualify for funding via the Medicaid HCBS – home and community-based services – waiver), HUD, the VA, or the USDA that would be disbursed through the state, is at your local Area Agency on Aging. The AAA is a one-stop-shop neighborhood branch of your state’s department that handles senior care (i.e. Department of Aging, Department of Public Welfare, etc.). Go to Eldercare.gov or N4A.org to find your AAA by zip code, city or county.

Apply for grants or take advantage of state assistive technology projects to make your home wheelchair accessible. According to HomeMods.org, funding is available for this specific modification through the Department of Veteran Affairs (call 800-827-1000 or your local VA for more details) and via the United Cerebral Palsy Association (call 800-872-5827). The IRS also permits those with disabilities to claim some of these expenses as a tax deduction. Check in with the National Council on Independent Living Center (call 703-525-3406) to get local funding information and referral services.

Get a loan to add a room. If Mom is moving in and she has health needs or disabilities, you may be eligible for government funding. FannieMae offers the HomeChoice program, Home Keeper program, and the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (get more details at eFanniemae, or visit the local office). In Texas, New Mexico, California and Illinois, residents can apply for a Home Modifications Loan for Homeowners (with fixed interest rates and low minimum loan amounts) via Bank of America, under the “Access Loans” category. For more information, call 800-843-2632 (in CA, IL) or 800-900-9000 (in TX, NM).

Contact local foundations and non-profit organizations. Some may offer financial assistance or services referrals for those providing care for someone with disabilities or diseases like Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Easter Seals and Rebuilding Together both offer low- or no-cost community-based home modification and repair programs.

Take out a second/reverse mortgage. If you have the equity, this is a good way to secure a loan for a home modification, which, if done well, should add value to the home as more people will be seeking homes where aging in place is possible. You must be over 62 to secure funding via a reverse mortgage. (Learn more about reverse mortgages here.)

Check your insurance policies. The National Association of Home Builders says that some programs (auto insurance, worker’s compensation, long term care policies, state catastrophic accident insurance plans, and medical trust funds) might cover the costs of a home modification.

Move your parents in. If you have decided it’s best for Mom and Dad to just move in with you so you can provide care more readily, Glickman says you may be able to use proceeds from the sale of their home to make an accessible suite at your residence. He adds that adult children can avail themselves of the space in the future too, as their own care needs change.

Ready to consider a home modification for a family member’s residence, or your own? 101 Mobility has a full line of products (stairlifts, auto lifts, ramps, and more) and a team of highly-trained professional installers standing by to get AIP construction underway. Learn more about our services and find the local office serving you at http://101mobility.com/locator/.

Additional Sources:

• HomeMods.org
• National Association of Home Builders 

101 Mobility Dayton Opens December 15, 2011

101 Mobility’s proudly welcomed its newest location serving Dayton, Ohio on December 15. The new franchise will serve Dayton, Cincinnati and all surrounding areas. It is owned by Ed Goschinski.  Ed is a long-time resident of the Dayton and Cincinnati markets and has years of applicable experience that should grow the franchise quickly in these markets.  The Dayton location will be the local resource for those who are disabled and those who wish to maintain their independence by improving their mobility. Whether the mobility issue is long or short term, the team at 101 will be available to offer their assistance.

101 Mobility Dayton offers a full range of mobility products including:

• Stair lifts/Chairlifts
• Auto lifts
• Ramps, both for purchase and for rent
• Vertical lifts
• Commercial and residential mobility products including lifts, patient lifts and commercial grade stair lifts.
• Bath, pool and spa lifts
• Bath safety products
• Power chairs
• Power scooters
• Automatic door opening systems

The local 101 Mobility team is also available to help Veterans through the Home Improvement & Structural Alterations grant program.

Ed  is very excited to be opening this new 101 Mobility location. “We are looking forward to being able to help people stay in their homes and maintain their independence,” he says.  “Our goal at 101 Mobility Dayton is to provide our customers with the highest quality mobility products available while also providing them with superior customer service.  We look forward to building relationships with our neighbors and helping them to maintain their independence.”

The Dayton office of 101 Mobility is located in the Carrollton area. The office will be open from 8:30 am to 5:30pm. For more information on how Ed and his team can help you with all of your mobility needs, please call 937-789-5911

101 Mobility Cincinnati Opens December 15, 2011

Proudly serving the Cincinnati, Dayton and surrounding areas, 101 Mobility’s newest location is owned by Ed Goschinski.  The Cincinnati  location’s grand opening was on December 15.  The Cincinnati  location will be the local resource for those who are disabled and those who wish to maintain their independence by improving their mobility. Whether the mobility issue is long or short term, the team at 101 will be available to offer their assistance.

101 Mobility Cincinnati offers a full range of mobility products including:

• Stair lifts/Chairlifts
• Auto lifts
• Ramps, both for purchase and for rent
• Vertical lifts
• Commercial and residential mobility products including lifts, patient lifts and commercial grade stair lifts.
• Bath, pool and spa lifts
• Bath safety products
• Power chairs
• Power scooters
• Automatic door opening systems

The local 101 Mobility team is also available to help Veterans through the Home Improvement & Structural Alterations grant program.

Ed  is very excited to be opening this new 101 Mobility location. “We are looking forward to being able to help people stay in their homes and maintain their independence,” he says.  “Our goal at 101 Mobility Cincinnati is to provide our customers with the highest quality mobility products available while also providing them with superior customer service.  We look forward to building relationships with our neighbors and helping them to maintain their independence.”

The Cincinnati office of 101 Mobility is located in the Carrollton area. The office will be open from 8:30 am to 5:30pm. For more information on how Ed and his team can help you with all of your mobility needs, please call 937-789-5911

Tips for Avoiding the Flu

No one wants to get sick and avoiding the flu is just plain smart. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that “90 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths and more than 60 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations in the United States each year occur in people 65 years and older.” Because our immune systems weaken with age, the flu can become a serious concern for people 65 and older.

Let’s keep you healthy this season with these tips for avoiding and spreading the flu.

1. Get a flu shot. This is the single most important thing you can do to prevent getting the flu this year. So please consult your doctor to find out if you are a good candidate for the flu shot.
2. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. This is best done by remembering to cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm. If you have a tissue nearby, you can also use it to cover your mouth and nose. Just remember to throw that tissue away.
3. Wash your hands often. Just like when you were in school, washing your hands is one of the best ways to stay healthy. This is especially important when you have been in contact with items that others have also touched. Remember to wash your hands after you have been to the grocery store, the senior center, bingo hall, after shaking hands or hugging others.
4. Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you. Small, easy to carry hand sanitizers are a great way to freshen up when you can’t quickly get to a bathroom to wash your hands.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. This is how cold and flu germs are spread.
6. Avoid contact with those who are sick. Instead of visiting a friend who isn’t well, send a card or call on the phone to let them know you are concerned.
7. Use disinfectant wipes around the house. These household wipes will help to keep doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, countertops, faucets, and other frequently touched items germ free.
8. If you become sick, stay home. Remember it is important to stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever has broken to prevent spreading an illness. This, of course, does not include doctor visits or other essential visits outside the home.
9. Get enough sleep. Be sure you are sleeping at least 7-8 hours each night. If your body is run down, it won’t have the energy needed to fight off illness.
10. Eat well and hydrate. Eating a healthy, well balanced diet and drinking plenty of fluids will help you to stay well and fight off infection.

Should you become sick this flu season, early treatment is essential. Call your doctor and seek medical attention should you notice any flu-like symptoms. Common symptoms of the flu include fever, body aches, sore throat, runny nose, cough, chills, headache, and fatigue.

What is Alzheimer Disease and What are the Warning Signs

If your parents or spouse has started to become forgetful, it is common to wonder if this could be the early signs of Alzheimer Disease. Many people start to worry about forgetfulness as they age. It can start simply, with forgetting where you left your keys or getting lost while running errands. And it can be as scary for the person who is forgetting, as for those who love that person.

So what exactly is Alzheimer Disease? According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.” While a symptom of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, it is not the only cause of memory loss. This means that you shouldn’t assume that just because you or a loved one is having difficulty remembering things that they have Alzheimer Disease.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association there are 10 Warning Signs to look for if you are concerned that a loved one might have Alzheimer’s. They include:

1. Memory Loss that Disrupts Daily Life. One sign of Alzheimer’s occurs when someone frequently forgets recently learned information, important dates, asks to have information repeated often, writes down notes or reminders or asks others to handle tasks for them.
2. Challenges With Planning or Solving Problems. Having difficulties with handling the bills, cooking with familiar recipes or concentrating can be a sign of Alzheimer’s.
3. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks at Home or Work. If it is suddenly difficult to do once easy, daily tasks like driving to work or the store, or if it is difficult to remember how to participate in a favorite activity, these can be a signs of Alzheimer’s.
4. Confusion with Times or Places. Are you or a loved one suddenly having trouble keeping track of dates, times or the passage of time? If you sometimes don’t know where you are or how you got there, this could be a sign of Alzheimer’s.
5. Trouble with Visual Images and Spatial Relationships. Difficulty with reading, judging distance or contrast can all be signs of Alzheimer’s.
6. Trouble with Speaking or Writing. One of the signs of Alzheimer’s is having difficulty joining or maintaining a conversation. Other signs include repeating yourself, calling things by the wrong name or struggling to find the right word.
7. Misplacing Things. A person showing signs of Alzheimer’s may have trouble finding things they have lost. They may put things in unusual places and may even accuse people of stealing their things.
8. Decreased or Poor Judgment. Changes in judgment are often a sign of Alzheimer’s. This can include anything from changes in grooming habits to giving away large sums of money to strangers or charities they don’t often support.
9. Withdrawal from Social Networks. A person who is showing signs of Alzheimer’s may start to withdrawal from their social activities. This can be a result of the memory loss they are experiencing.
10. Change in Mood and Personality. If you or a loved one is experiencing mood or personality changes including confusion, depression, fear or anxiety, they may be showing signs of Alzheimer’s.

You can learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease and the signs of Alzheimer’s by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association website.

Texas Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Exemption Available

101 Mobility is pleased to alert Texas residents to a program available through the Texas Comptroller’s Office that may exempt you from paying the motor vehicle sales and use tax. The Texas Motor Vehicle Orthopedically Handicapped Exemption Certificate may qualify residents of that state for an exemption from paying motor vehicle sales tax if they also need to install an adaptive or mobility device.

This program is open to those individuals, partnerships, corporations or associations who purchase vehicles to transport an individual who has “limited movement of body extremities and/or loss of physical function.” It is a requirement of the program that the physical impairment “must be such that the person is either unable to operate or be transported in a reasonable manner in a motor vehicle that has not been specially modified.”

To qualify for the sales tax exemption, the vehicle must be primarily driven by, or used for the transportation of, the orthopedically handicapped person. This means the vehicle must be used at least 80 percent of its operating time to transport the orthopedically handicapped person. The vehicle also must be or will be specifically modified for operation by or for the transportation of a person who is orthopedically handicapped at the time of purchase.

Examples of modifications that are eligible for this program include:

• Modifications to the conventional brake, acceleration system or steering system to facilitate the operation of the vehicle by an orthopedically handicapped driver.
• Permanent modifications to the vehicle by the installation of such items including:
  • Wheelchair lift
  • Hoist
  • Attached ramp
  • Wheelchair hold-down clamps
  • Raised roof
  • Special seat restraints other than conventional seat belts

By completing the Texas Motor Vehicle Orthopedically Handicapped Exemption Certificate, which includes information from the purchaser, seller, about the vehicle, and from the orthopedically handicapped person’s Practitioner of the Healing Arts, you could be on your way to receiving a sales tax exemption.

If you believe you are eligible for this sales tax exemption, you can find more information here. You can also visit the Texas Comptroller’s website for more information.

101 Mobility Houston Prevents Falls with Vertical Lift Installation

Glen and Deanna Geggatt, of 101 Mobility’s Houston location, may be new to the mobility business, but they are passionate about helping their customers remain safe in their homes. Recently they received a call from a client who had fallen down the three steps that lead from the house to the garage. Thankfully their client sustained no injuries. However, just a few months prior he had fallen down those same stairs and been hospitalized for some fairly significant injuries. Something needed to be done to prevent this from happening again.

When Glen and Deanna arrived that day to discuss mobility options, the homeowner, his wife, and his son were all there to discuss options and share their concerns. The homeowner and his wife both wanted to remain in the home and maintain their independence and mobility. While the son’s main concern was ensuring their safety.

With just three small steps between them and their safety, Glen and Deanna knew a solution was at hand. The problem was the poorly constructed steps had variations in rise. The first step was positioned with a 10” rise, the second with a 7” rise, and the third at an 8” rise. The variations in rise were making it incredibly easy for the homeowners to misjudge their footing, causing them to fall.

The solution was for 101 Mobility to remove the old steps and install a deck or platform at the same height as the garage door leading from the house. The next step was to install a new set of stairs with a uniform rise height making it easier to climb the stairs to the platform. Additionally, a vertical platform lift was installed so that the homeowners did not need to use the stairs at all if they did not want to.

This solution provided two easily accessible ways for the homeowner to enter the home from the garage. With these solutions in place the homeowner is now able to maintain their independence and mobility and continue to “age in place.”

The final result of this solution from 101 Mobility Houston was a very happy homeowner and a son who was “ecstatic” that his parents could now enter and exit their home safely.