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 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

101 Mobility Opens First Franchise in Texas

New Company Fills Niche for Home Health Care Mobility Devices in seven (7) Counties, Serving a Population of five (5) Million

Houston resident Deanna Geggatt, a registered nurse and home health care administrator with more than 20 years of experience in the medical field, has taken her compassion for helping the disabled to another level by introducing 101 Mobility to the Houston area. As the first location in the state, 101 Mobility is a franchise provider and installer of affordable brands of mobility and accessibility equipment for the elderly and disabled.

While working as a home health care administrator, Geggatt discovered a void in the home mobility device market.  She found that many patients in need of home mobility devices—such as grab bars, stair lifts, modular ramps, etc.—needed a simple way to choose the right equipment and have it installed quickly and easily.  After researching the options available in the greater Houston-area, she found that consumers in need could either go to small, independent “mom and pop-type” local businesses who at times lacked practical knowledge in mobility-related equipment (because it isn’t their core focus), or they could go to large online distributors who often fail to offer installation or face-to-face-support.

“When the elderly or disabled and their families invest in expensive mobility equipment, they prefer to have local experts install and service as well as provide face-to-face support for ongoing service and repair issues,” Geggatt said.

On August 31, Geggatt, along with her husband Glen, will introduce 101 Mobility to the Houston area, serving a population of more than five million people in seven counties, including Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery and Waller.

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, power wheelchairs, scooters and more. 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.

The combination of Geggatt’s experience in the home health care industry and Glen’s professional experience working as a contractor serves as the perfect combination for a successful full-service home mobility device business. Glen is also certified as an “Aging-In-Place-Specialist” through the National Association of Homebuilders.

“I think there’s good synergy between Glen and I where I can identify the patients at risk and recommend the right products to them; Glen then brings the technical aspect to the table by handling all the installations,” Geggatt said.

With her background, Geggatt lends her expertise in all things related to home health care mobility to the disabled and senior population throughout the Houston area.

“Our goal is to become a solution that people didn’t have before,” Geggatt said. “There’s not much awareness of what home mobility devices are available to encourage independence and serve as a practical, real alternative to moving to an assisted living facility.”

She continued, “Since we’re part of a larger franchise, we are able to offer better pricing than the small local shops, plus extra support for our customers by tapping into our franchise support network. We hope to develop a strong local business relationship with the community.”

101 Mobility plans for further expansion throughout the state of Texas and is growing rapidly across the Country as well. For more information, visit www.101mobility.com

Storm Preparedness Tips from 101 Mobility

In the Southeast and along the Gulf Coast, the fall is storm and hurricane season. Are you prepared for the upcoming storm season?

Use these few tips from 101 Mobility to ensure you are prepared for any upcoming storms.

• Check and charge the batteries on your powerchair and scooter.
• Bring your wheelchair or scooter inside and keep it secure, covered and away from windows during heavy storms.
• Don’t forget to have the basics on hand including water, canned goods, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, radios, blankets, and pillows.
• Be sure to refill any prescriptions.
• If your vertical lift doesn’t have battery backup, have an alternate plan for exiting your home in case you lose power.
• Charge your cell phone.
• Be sure you have filled your car’s gas tank.
• Bring anything inside that can be blown around by high winds.

After the storms have passed:

• Check ramps for debris.
• Check ramps for stability in case they have shifted.
• Check your car and exterior lifts for damage.
• Drive only if necessary. Avoid flooded areas.

If you are in need of ramp rentals following a storm in your area, please contact your local 101 Mobility office. We can deliver and install most ramps within 24 hours.

Did You Know 101 Mobility Installs Modular Wheelchair Ramps?

When you need more than a portable ramp for your home, the best solution is a modular wheelchair ramp. The modular wheelchair ramp offers the durability and strength of a wooden structure without the lengthy construction time and maintenance hassles. The modular wheelchair ramps from 101 Mobility can be installed as a permanent or semi-permanent structure at your home and offer you the design flexibility and easy installation you want in a ramp.

With a modular ramp from 101 Mobility, you get a ramp that requires less hardware and no preassembly. Our modular wheelchair ramps are made from aluminum and are designed for durability and to withstand the elements. The sides are flush and finished so you don’t have to worry about any sharp edges protruding into the usable ramp space. They are completely safe for everyone to use. Our expert staff will design the ramp to work with the entrance to your home so that the configuration is easy to use and maneuver with your wheelchair or scooter.

Our certified trained installers can have your wheelchair ramp installed in just a couple of hours. Installation is quick and easy because the ramps, handrails, and platforms all come preassembled. We don’t need to anchor our modular wheelchair ramps into concrete footings or pads. They come with integrated independently adjustable supports making installation on any surface simple and straight forward. Our professional installers are adept at ensuring your ramp will be secure and safe for all who use it.

Need to have your ramp removed or relocated to another entrance? No problem. We can do that too. That is one of the real benefits of modular wheelchair ramps; they can be easily removed, reassembled, and used again without any trouble at all.

The modular wheelchair ramp you purchase from 101 Mobility will come with an extruded skid resistant surface for safety and will be 36” wide. Our ramps have an 850 pound weight capacity. Their low maintenance design can even be custom colored to complement the exterior of your home.

To learn more about our selection of modular wheelchair ramps, please contact the 101 Mobility location nearest you.

101 Mobility Raleigh Opens June 22, 2011

Proudly serving the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill areas, 101 Mobility’s newest location is owned by Lisa and Melissa Fosbury.  The Raleigh location’s grand opening is on June 22, 2011. The Raleigh 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 Raleigh offers a full range of mobility products including:

• Stairlifts/Chairlifts
• Auto lifts
• Ramps, both for purchase and for rent
• Vertical lifts
• Commercial and residential mobility products including lifts, patient lifts and commercial grade stairlifts.
• 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.

Lisa 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,” she says.  “Our goal at 101 Mobility Raleigh 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 Raleigh office of 101 Mobility is located in the Triangle area. The office will be open from 8:30 am to 5:30pm. For more information on how Lisa and her team can help you with all of your mobility needs, please call (888) 258-0652.

Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) and 101 Mobility

101 Mobility is proud to help America’s Veterans. Under the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA), Veterans may receive “home improvements necessary for the continuation of treatment or for disability access to the home and essential lavatory and sanitary facilities.” We work with Veterans each and every day to help them improve mobility in their homes.

With 101 Mobility and the HISA, Veterans can:

• Replace all bathroom tubs with shower stalls complete with molded or pull-down seats
• Install non-skid strips or slip-resistant tiles in the shower
• Install grab bars in the shower stalls and toilet area
• Install hand-held showerhead
• Install raised toilet seats
• Install handrails on both sides of the stairs for better support
• Replace carpeting and tile flooring with non-slip/skid type flooring
• Install non-skid rubber strips on the edge of stairs to help prevent falls
• Convert kitchen cabinets into drawers to hold pots and pans for easier access
• Replace door knobs with lever handles
• Install lever-handle faucets in kitchen and bathrooms
• Consider increasing door opening sizes to as much as 36 to 42 inches
• Install a permanent or portable wheelchair ramp
• Install a stairlift or chairlift

Your local 101 Mobility location is ready to help you with need HISA improvements and alterations. All of our 101 Mobility locations are GSA Contract Holders, and have the experience and knowledge to help you achieve a completely functional and accessible home, customized for your needs.

For more information on how we can help you, please contact your local 101 Mobility location.

Aging in Place can be a Viable Option

When faced with the choice of moving to a senior care facility, moving in with a loved one, or choosing to age in place, most of us would chose to stay in the home we love, among the things we know, and the memories that sustain us. Aging in place allows us to retain our independence and prevents us from feeling we are a burden to others. But with so many of us living in two-story, single family homes and relying on cars to get around, staying in our homes as we age is a significant challenge.

One of the greatest challenges facing those who wish to stay at home is adapting to the change in mobility.  Adapting our homes to help us get around requires an investment, but that investment is far less expensive than a move to a senior care facility. There are many things we can do to make our homes safer, more accessible, and that will help us to keep our independence.

• Investigate assistive living technologies that monitor your home. A 24 hour monitoring device can be activated if you fall giving you the assurance you need that help is on the way. Many companies that offer these services have enhanced options that will monitor other areas of the home such as the stove. For example, if your stove is left on for an extended period of time it can be turned off remotely.
• Evaluate access in and out of your home. For some, the height of the stairs leading into and out of the home can become too steep. Simply installing a ramp can make your home more accessible.
• Worried about climbing the stairs inside your home? Installing a chairlift can make it easy to access the second floor or basement once more. This is especially important for those homes where the washer and dryer are in the basement. A chairlift can be a much easier fix than relocating water lines and exhaust vents.
• The bathroom can be a particularly dangerous area as we age. Installing toilets that are just a few inches taller, handrails, a tub door, or adjustable shower head can make it much safer for you to stay in your home.
• Those suffering from arthritis find that a simple change from doorknobs to lever handles makes a world of difference.

Simple changes like these can make a real difference in the ability to stay in our homes as we age.  With changes like these, the loving support of family and friends, and the determination to age in place, many more aging Americans will be able to stay in the homes they love.

If you would like more information on aging in place, please contact the National Aging in Place Council.