Assistive devices
Here you will find information about the main Process aid that people with mobility impairments use in daily life. Then we name them Companies that sell/rent assistive devices. Finally, there are a few things we want to point out. It is worth noting that it is possible to apply. Grant for the purchase of assistive devices to the Assistive Technology Center of the National Insurance Institute of Iceland (SÍ), see more information on our website under Rights. On the SÍ website, you can find information about aid device.
Under Daily Living (at the bottom of the drop-down menu on the left), various assistive devices are then mentioned that people with mobility impairments also use, for example, in different areas of the home such as bathrooms.
Everyone can buy assistive devices from companies that sell assistive devices, e.g., if people want to have toilet risers at the cabin or at relatives' homes.
The main assistive devices used by people with mobility impairments
Here, we will take a look at the main assistive devices for people with mobility impairments. Many of these assistive devices are personalized, i.e., tailored to the needs of the individual who uses it on a daily basis. For example, wheelchairs are adapted to their user, and this adaptation is usually handled by an occupational therapist or physical therapist on behalf of the seller. When assistive devices are rented, there is generally no opportunity to specifically adapt the equipment, as the rental period is often short.
Modified vehicles
It is becoming more common for vehicles to be modified so that people with disabilities have the opportunity to drive themselves. The advent of automatic transmissions in cars opened up opportunities for many people with disabilities to drive themselves. Gradually, vehicles began to be modified to make it easier for people with disabilities to drive, and the process gained significant momentum when the modifications became eligible for funding. These modifications are as varied as the nature of each individual's disability, so each vehicle is individually tailored to the needs of its user.
The simplest equipment is for those who can use their upper body, where a special handle is installed and connected to the gas and brake. Some people have such a device and can transfer between vehicles, managing to connect the equipment themselves. However, vehicle modifications are most often much more extensive, and for people who use wheelchairs, the modifications can be substantial. The following is typically done: an electric lift is installed, a swivel seat for the driver is added, the car's floor is lowered, sturdy wheelchair tie-downs are installed, and some vehicles are then equipped with joystick controls. In Iceland, only two companies have handled modifications of specially equipped vehicles for disabled Icelanders, The Security Center and Carport. It should be noted that if a person does not have a driver's license or if the vehicle has significant modifications, special equipment must be installed in the vehicle in advance for the driving instructor to use while the person is learning to drive.
Turntables It is a very convenient assistive device that people place under themselves in the driver's seat, making it easier to turn in the seat when getting out (assuming the driver's seat is not a swivel seat) or getting into the vehicle. The swivel disc can also be used in chairs at home.
Pallet It is a thin plastic board to facilitate transfers in a seated position, for example from a wheelchair to a car seat, a bed, or a toilet. One end of the board is placed under the buttocks and the other at the destination. You then use your hands to lift yourself and move your lower body along the board. The boards for sale vary; some have sides with raised edges, and most have handles on one end. Other options are also available. shipping pads and they are used either with the moving boards or on their own. If you plan to get a moving board, you should visit 2-3 dealers and get to try them out to find out which board suits you best.
Wheelchairs
Basically, wheelchairs are divided into two types: manual and electric. Recently, lightweight and simple motors have been developed that provide manual wheelchairs with additional power and greatly reduce the effort required from users. These include motors that are attached to the back of the chairs, as well as motors that are integrated into both of the chair's wheels.
Video about how to choose manual wheelchairs .
Shower stools
Bath stools is a collective term for toilet stools on the one hand and shower stools on the other. In both cases, the stools are available with or without wheels. Here is Overview from Medicare for these chairs and other assistive devices related to bathroom facilities for people with disabilities.
People sit in the toilet chairs (straight down into the chair or transfers from a wheelchair to the commode chair). The chairs are either with or without handles but usually have a back, and most have brakes on the wheels. The chair is then moved over the toilet, or a commode (a tray) is slid under the seat. In both cases, the person sits in the commode chair.
The shower chairs, as the name suggests, are chairs used in shower stalls (or in bathing facilities) while people are showering. They are generally not suitable as toilet chairs. There are many types of shower chairs, and people need to carefully review what is available and what suits them individually, as the configuration of the shower itself also plays a role. At the same time, you need to consider the number and placement of grab bars in the shower and ensure they are correctly positioned relative to the chosen chair.
Gripping tongs
People with mobility impairments often don't find it easy by nature to reach for items they drop or that are more than an arm's length away (like socks that have slid under the bed, for example). It is therefore a good idea to have a grabber on hand and use it to reach for the desired object. Various types of grabbers are available, but they all generally have a handle on the top end with a grip or "trigger" used to clamp the gripping jaws on the bottom end and grasp the desired object. Many grabbers can also be extended or shortened. These tongs are sometimes called litter tongs and are then used to pick up litter outdoors.
Walkers – walking frames
Walking frames are support frames that adults with mobility impairments use for support while walking. In essence, there are two main types: with or without wheels (2 or 4 wheels). Walkers come in many varieties. They are usually height-adjustable, and some allow a person to rest their forearms on the handles. Wheeled frames generally have hand brakes (if they have wheels) and many are equipped with a seat so the user can use the frame as a chair. Some can also be fitted with a front basket for belongings. The frames come in different strengths depending on the user's height and weight. Video about use of walkers .
Walking frame are lightweight frames (made of aluminum) that people push in front of them, lean on, and lift to move forward. Some have wheels in the front, so you only need to lift the part closest to your body to move forward. Then, some walking frames are completely without wheels, and you have to lift the entire frame to move it forward.
Walking sticks
Walking sticks are probably one of the oldest assistive devices still in use. After various outdoor activities like hiking and mountain trekking became more common, new types of walking sticks emerged to make the journeys of those who participate in this sport easier. But we are not talking about that type of walking stick, which is certainly useful outdoors, but not when indoors. Traditional walking sticks have a handle at the top, which is often ergonomically shaped. They are usually height-adjustable, and at the bottom, there is a rubber tip that touches the ground. During the winter, many people add a clip to the bottom of the pole that can be snapped down, which puts a spike under the rubber tip, functioning as an ice-scraper for winter. There are also three-footed or four-footed canes available. Most often, people use only a standard walking cane in the other hand, which is then on the opposite side of the "weak" foot being protected. Here is a video about Use of walking sticks .
Heels
Crutches are an assistive device designed to allow a person to walk, taking the weight off the injured leg (assuming the other leg has an injury that limits walking, e.g., after a broken foot or foot surgery). One crutch is often used when the injured leg can be put on the ground, but two are used when it cannot or it is difficult to put weight on the injured leg, or perhaps just to lightly touch the ground with it.
Crutches come in different shapes and can support different amounts of weight (from the user), but their height can be adjusted to fit the user. In the past, crutches were held under the armpit, but today they are held against the forearm. There are three main types of crutches in use: 1) adjustable elbow crutches, 2) adjustable and foldable elbow crutches, and 3) rheumatic crutches.
On the web The National University Hospital is looking for information on how to best adjust the brakes
Sugar elevators
A patient lift is an electrically powered assistive device used to lift a person with limited mobility from one place to another, for example, from a bed to a wheelchair, from a wheelchair to a bathtub, or to a shower chair. In nursing homes and hospitals (and some homes), the lifting equipment is fixed to the wall or ceiling, and the lift can then, for example, travel with the patient along a fixed track in the ceiling from a bed to a bathroom. A mobile hoist, on the other hand, is an electrically powered device on wheels that lifts an individual from one place and moves them to another. The type of hoist itself (e.g., a sling) then depends on the individual's position (lying down – sitting). The lifting equipment significantly eases the caregiver's work and spares them the strain of lifting the person with a disability. Only the simplest lifting equipment is available for rent from assistive device rental companies, but dealers offer a considerable selection of lifts.
Hospital bed
A hospital bed is not, in itself, a mobility aid, but it was decided to include them in this chapter since they are part of the equipment that medical supply rental services often offer, and they are then rented to t.d. to tourists who choose to have such a bed at their lodging, or to people who become temporarily disabled and prefer a hospital bed over a regular bed. Modern hospital beds have become extremely sophisticated and can be adjusted electrically in many ways. Usually, the sleeping surface is divided into three sections: the head section, the middle section, and the foot section. These sections can then be adjusted in many ways—up and down, and some beds can be tilted to the sides. Furthermore, all the beds are height-adjustable. There are also various options for adjusting the side rails as well as the head and foot rails. If people are buying or choosing a hospital bed, there is much to consider, and it is advisable to consult with an occupational therapist about what to look for based on the individual's condition.
Support rods
People with mobility impairments often have difficulty standing up, for example from a mattress or a seated position. It can be very helpful to have a support bar that is stretched vertically between the floor and the ceiling. These bars are often located by the person's bed or the chair they sit in the most. These bars are easy to install and do not require drilling into the floor or ceiling (however, the ceiling must be solid and able to withstand the pressure—for example, a concrete ceiling—as the bar cannot be tensioned in a drywall or sloped ceiling). With the bar at their side, the person grabs it and has an easier time getting to their feet. Handles or grips can then be attached to the bar and moved as needed to make it easier to get a good hold.
Electric scooter
Electric scooters are becoming an increasingly common aid for people with mobility impairments. However, due to the local weather, they are used almost exclusively from spring to fall, i.e., not during the winter months, as they are not equipped for icy and snowy conditions. It is also quite common for people to rent a scooter on their trips to warmer countries. Scooters are fundamentally very simple and are made for one person (though two-person models are available for rent from assistive device rental companies abroad). Sjúkratryggingar Íslands provides subsidies for people with mobility impairments to purchase electric scooters, but there is a maximum limit on how large the subsidy can be. The scooters are classified, among other things, by how many kilometers they can travel on a single charge, with common ranges being 25-40 km. Therefore, you need to make sure to charge the battery regularly. Be sure to thoroughly research the electric scooters on the market and determine which one is right for you before applying for a subsidy from the National Insurance.
Ramps – accidents
Unfortunately, various obstacles are in the way of people with disabilities, and those who use wheelchairs are most aware of barriers that appear in the form of, for example, high thresholds, steps, or platforms. To get around, you can use portable ramps or planks to create a ramp that allows wheelchairs to be pushed up inclines. There are many types of portable ramps. They are available as a single plate (which is enough for a curb or a single step), but they are most often two plates (ramps with an adjustable gap between them). Most assistive device rental and sales companies offer several different types of ramps. Some wheelchair users have invested in lightweight ramps and even keep them in their car, ready for when an obstacle appears. Be sure to check out the selection on the market.
Assistance dogs
Hjálparhundar Íslands is an association of people interested in dogs that can be trained to assist individuals with mobility impairments (disabled individuals). The association was founded in 2019, and its main goals are to promote an improved environment for assistance dogs in the country so they can perform their tasks in a way that serves their owners while also ensuring their welfare. The association has website where you can find all the main information,
Companies that sell assistive devices
Please note that the material above is taken from the websites of the respective organizations/companies.
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