Safe Patient Handling Equipment Tips

101 Mobility Rochester owner and operator, Miguel Millan, has firsthand experience in safe patient handling and worked as an ambulance medic prior to opening 101 Mobility Rochester. After years of traveling from hospital to hospital and using both excellent and inadequate patient lift equipment, Miguel thoroughly recognizes the importance of safe patient handling (SPH). Miguel has a few tips below to help you develop the right SPH program for your facility or home.

TIP #1: Affordability – Too many homeowners and facilities believe that mechanical lifts are not affordable.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), caregiving professionals suffer more than 200,000 patient-handling injuries every year and the workers’ compensation costs related to those injuries amount to nearly $1 billion annually. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the single greatest cause behind musculoskeletal disorders — such as carpal tunnel and back strain — in healthcare workers is the manual moving and repositioning of patients, residents or clients. Whether care providers are lifting a pediatric patient or a morbidly obese patient, risks of accidental injury for both the patient and care provider are present. In comparison to the life-long monetary costs and quality of life costs associated with back and other accidental injuries caused by improper patient lifting, mechanical lifts offer an incredible investment.

Depending on the laws in your state, tax incentives or grants may be available. For example, a 2010 Washington state law, made certain acute-care hospitals eligible to  receive a tax deduction of $1,000 for every specialized acute care bed as part of the state’s Hospital Safe Patient Handling Law.

TIP #2: Use the proper lifting solution.

Find a team with the experience and knowledge necessary to help your facility develop a SPH program that can significantly decrease accidental injuries for both caregivers and patients. With a reliable safe patient handling program in place, patients can focus on their well-being, rather than their fears of falling or experiencing skin tears.

Below is a chart created by the American Nursing Association to demonstrate ways that caregivers can avoid back injury by following proper SPH protocols:

101 Mobility’s extensive selection of hospital lifts is hand-picked to ensure safe and secure solutions that will address the dependency levels of patients and efficiency needs of staff. 101 Mobility will send a professional service technician to evaluate your facility and recommend the low-maintenance, durable, and ADA compliant lifting solutions that are appropriate for the tasks at hand.

TIP #3: Train, Evaluate, and then Re-evaluate!

101 Mobility will provide training post-installation for staff members. Immediately after installation, a service technician will ensure top working order, then proceed to explain the patient lift or support aid’s instructions for use. The guidebook is always left with the facility, and a 101 Mobility technician will be available to perform any needed maintenance throughout the life of the product, as well as answer any questions that may arise.

• Create an ergonomics committee of representatives from management, front-line caregivers, purchasing representatives, and risk management executives. Use this group to establish, implement, and monitor your new SPH program for efficiencies and deficiencies.
• Survey the direct caregivers who are using the patient lift and support aid equipment. This will help you ensure proper use.
• Provide comprehensive training for all staff on any new policies or equipment being implemented. Make sure that any new hires or care providers switching assignments within the facility are kept up to speed.
• Keep detailed records of patient and care provider injuries; routinely analyze this information to make sure your new SPH is effective.

For more innovative steps to take toward developing a SPH program, refer to this brochure from the American Nurses Association.

To discuss your SPH equipment options and schedule an on-site evaluation with a professional accessibility expert, please contact your local 101 Mobility team today.

101 Mobility Opens as the 1st Go-To for Mobility Solutions in St. Louis

101 Mobility St. Louis opens as the city’s only nationally branded full-service sales, maintenance, and installation provider of a complete line of mobility equipment, including stair lifts, auto lifts, ramps, porch lifts, patient lifts, power wheelchairs, scooters and more.  Owner, Brad Kolhbrecher proudly represents 101 Mobility’s 23^rd franchisee.

101 Mobility’s national partnerships with trusted brands will enable families across St. Louis to choose from diverse mobility product lines manufactured with specific considerations in mind ranging from dexterity issues to limited space. In a city of stone steps, narrow staircases and turn-of-the-century homes, Brad Kohlbrecher knows that customization is key. His goal is simple,

“There is a great need for mobility solutions in St. Louis and my hope is that we can safely help keep people in their homes.”

As a former Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of eight years, Brad Kolhbrecher has seen firsthand just how devastating the lack of awareness for mobility solutions can be.

“Throughout my years of experience as an EMT, we’ve had many people have to return to the hospital soon after they were released because their homes were not equipped with what they would need to recover. I’ve seen a lot of senior citizens go to nursing homes as a preventative measure or to recover from a fall. They would go for temporary rehabilitation and end up dying in there. Most St. Louis families simply don’t know that there are products out there to keep their loved ones safe at home. They don’t realize that something like a stair lift costs the same as a month in the nursing home.”

Brad’s own mother-in-law was sent to a nursing home for knee-replacement rehabilitation. She was so unhappy in the facility that she refused to stay. His mother-in-law’s dissatisfaction led him to search for alternate solutions. Simultaneously, Brad was also researching entrepreneurial opportunities when a franchise consultant brought 101 Mobility to his attention. His personal experiences combined with a degree in BioMedics made opening a 101 Mobility franchise in his home of St. Louis a no-brainer.

“It was pretty clear that 101 Mobility made the most sense, all the pieces fit into place.”

Brad and his team of mobility experts will strive to help St. Louis residents maintain their independence and enjoy a high quality of life. 101 Mobility St. Louis is employing an aggressive online marketing strategy joined with focused grassroots efforts to spread awareness about options to increase accessibility for those who are aging or living with a disability.

“We aren’t just selling products but reliable mobility solutions that work for the customer. We will go out of our way to provide solutions for any challenges that a customer may have.”

Pittsburghers Open 101 Mobility to Improve Mobility Across Western PA

Greg Slepecki, Franchise Owner and his son Brad are proud to announce the opening of 101 Mobility Pittsburgh. These Pittsburgh natives are committed to helping Western Pennsylvania families improve their mobility inside and outside of the home. 101 Mobility Pittsburgh represents 101 Mobility’s 22^nd national franchise opening.

101 Mobility Pittsburgh is a locally owned, family operated business. The Slepeckis were born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and understand the unique mobility needs of residents from the rough, hilly Pittsburgh terrain. They explained how most homes in the area are two to three level homes with upstairs bathrooms and downstairs kitchens, making stair lifts a must-have for those who plan to successfully age in place.

This charismatic father and son team have seen first-hand how people with mobility challenges have become an under-served demographic. It is their goal to provide the reliable mobility solutions that every Pittsburgh resident should have at their fingertips. Greg adds,

“The residents of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas are good people, blue-collar families who just want to stay in the home that they raised their children in.”

Greg recalled a personal experience with his late mother to describe how his parents relied on a stair lift to age comfortably in their home,

“My mother was nearly blind to the point of counting steps…she would count each step as she climbed the stairwell. We searched everywhere for something to help and there was no go-to name or business for mobility equipment in Pittsburgh; I think there is a general lack of awareness for what’s available.”

Prior to joining the 101 Mobility family, Greg Slepecki worked in one of Pittsburgh’s oldest companies as the President of Matthew’s International Architectural Group. He ran seven international manufacturing plants from Australia to Canada, California and New York. From constructing the memorial for Elvis Presley’s grave to engraving super bowl trophies, Greg has been a part of it all. Son, Brad Slepecki is experienced in disaster restoration/construction with a talent for exemplary customer care and relationship building. Brad will join the service and sales teams as Greg oversees the operation. The Slepeckis are also happy to have Primio LaLama join their 101 team as the top sales and technical person.  Primio has been providing Pittsburgh families with 101 Mobility products for over three years.

Brad and Greg believe that their broader breadth of mobility products ranging from wheelchair ramps to porch lifts and more, in-depth product knowledge and franchise support system which allows for more ingenuity, will give them an upper hand over any competition. This Pittsburgh duo is working hard to brand themselves as the number one source for accessibility solutions across Western Pennsylvania with the goal of becoming a household name.

Call 412.428.9485 or visit http://pittsburgh.101mobility.com/ for assistance or additional information.

Stair Lift Reviews

According to the United States Census Bureau, there are approximately 22.3 million Americans experiencing difficulty using the stairs while 7.7 million Americans are unable to climb stairs. The stair lifts that are sold, rented, financed and serviced by 101 Mobility can ease difficulties that people with mobility challenges face in going up and down the stairs. 101 Mobility offers top quality stairlift brands  (Bruno, Harmar, and Sterling),  allowing consumers to choose the right product for their financial and mobility needs.

101 Mobility wants customers to be satisfied with their stair lifts and enjoy their new-found freedom to move up and down the stairs safely. Here are some reviews from 101 Mobility customers about their Stair Lift installations:

Reviews of 101 Mobility Raleigh, NC

‘Hi, just wanted to let you know that we had the chance to use the lift for my brother over the weekend. The lift worked great, we had one before when he lived in Arlington, Va. and this model is a lot more stable and doesn’t vibrate like the old one did.

I just wanted to thank you all so much for being able to respond in a short amount of time to enable us to bring my brother home for the holidays as this will be our first holiday in the new house and we wanted to host our family dinner here.’

Thanks again, Devin

Reviews of 101 Mobility Cleveland, OH

‘Joe and Jeff spent the day with my family while installing Mom’s new chair lift. From the moment they introduced themselves at the front door, til it was time to leave we felt that we put Mom in some very safe hands. They were courteous to her; informative to us; they respected our home and have provided us with peace of mind knowing Mom will be safe. They all provided top of the line customer service. Thank you!’

-A. Mincek

Reviews of 101 Mobility Columbus, OH

‘Joe and Felix arrived promptly to install the Elan stairlift. They were totally professional and efficient. They explained everything thoroughly concerning contracts, warranties, and the operation of the lift. Felix was actually from our neighborhood and Joe (like us) is a veteran. They were very sociable and are now our friends.’

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

L. and T. Kliemann

Reviews of 101 Mobility Cincinnati-Dayton, OH

‘Ed,

Thanks for all of your help. The lift looks great and works flawlessly. Your installers did a terrific job. Those guys really earn their money. Thanks again’

-R. Miller

More Reviews

“When Mom first started using the stairlift, it took a while for her to learn to use it independently.  I still check on her while she is on it since there are times she is confused about the sequence and may turn the chair facing the steps before ascending when it should remain facing to the side.  The beeping sound, although annoying at times, is very helpful in alerting me as to when she has turned the wrong way or when she has completed an ascent.  In the beginning, one of the units was overly sensitive with the beeping and also was slightly difficult to turn, but Nate came out and adjusted it and now it is perfect.  His skills are amazing.  I am very impressed with both the engineering of the design and the exacting installation of both the inside stairlift and outside platform lift.  Mom shows it off to every visitor like it’s part of a carnival ride.  The height of the seat is also optimal for her in ease of sitting and rising.”

- L. Proctor

For more details, there is a brochure available online and also in PDF-format, Stairlifts 101: A Consumer’s Guide.

Generous Stair Lift Donation in Rochester Exemplifies 101 Mobility’s Core Values

1. Be Available
2. Customer Care
3. Exceed Expectations
4. Operate with Integrity
5. Be Passionate

Last week, Miguel Millan, Franchise Owner of 101 Mobility Rochester donated a stair lift valued at $4,200 to his local Sea Breeze Volunteer Fire Department. His generous gift ended the department’s 10 year financial struggle to purchase a stair lift. 101 Mobility prides itself in operating with integrity and exceeding expectations. Volunteer Firefighter, Mark Champion attests that this custom installation was no different,

“Our volunteer firefighters are aging and a lot of them are senior citizens, one of our former firefighters is a double amputee; we don’t have to carry him or anyone else up the stairs in their wheelchairs anymore! We also raise money for the department by renting out the upstairs reception hall and now we can bring in more groups, there is a lot of excitement within the department. We really appreciate what Miguel has done and his donation has made a huge difference!”

Although Miguel opened his Rochester franchise just eight and a half months ago, when he received a call from the Sea Breeze Volunteer Fire Department’s chief, Miguel simply did the right thing. After working for years as an EMT and firefighter, Miguel explains,

“I know the hardships that they go through and they [emergency responders] are just good people……we at 101 Mobility saw a need and took the opportunity to help by donating and installing a stair lift”.

Across the United States, local 101 Mobility franchisees are available to take your call and work with you to find the perfect solution for you or your family member’s mobility issues. 101 Mobility is the nation’s first full-service provider and installer of personal mobility products such as Stair Lifts, Auto Lifts, Wheelchair Ramps, Vertical Lifts, Porch Lifts, Overhead Lifts, Home Modifications, and Much More. Call 1.888.258.0652 to find your first course in mobility solutions for yourself or a loved one today.

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.

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 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

Improve Accessibility with an Automatic Door Opener

If you or a loved one has struggled even once to open a door while in a wheelchair or power scooter, then you know just how much of a difference an automatic door opener can make in easing your daily mobility concerns. At 101 Mobility, our goal is to eliminate obstacles to your mobility and independence. We want you to be free to live the life you want to live.

Our Open Sesame automatic door opener is just one of the ways we help you to get out and enjoy life. This easy to install and operate door opener is designed for both residential and light commercial use and is ideal for those who are done with the struggle of getting through the door each day. With the Open Sesame door opener, just click a button and the device unlocks the door, opens it, holds it open for you to clear the doorway, and then gently closes the door for you. It could not be easier than that.

Installation is easy and does not require an electrician. Normal installation can be completed in approximately two hours. The Open Sesame door opener runs on a 24 volt AC adapter which plugs into the nearest outlet. It comes with a battery backup system which will run the door for a full 24 hours in case of power outages.

These automatic door openers come with a remote control that is easy to use and can be mounted near the door or on your wheelchair or scooter. Designed for easy use, the door opener can be activated from across the home and can be used with the side of the hand, the palm or fingers making it easy for anyone to use.

For more information about the Open Sesame automatic door opener, visit our website or contact the 101 Mobility location nearest you.

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.