It was right about this time, 19 years ago. My wife and I were sitting in the very last Lamaze birthing class, soon to be brand new parents. I felt a wave of anxiety come over me. I had to ask the question. I raised my hand. The Nurse, her name was Dorinda, pointed at me and said, “Yes, you have a question.” Did I have a question? I just knew EVERY Dad was wondering the same thing… “You have given us some great information, almost too much. I am afraid I am going to forget all this stuff…then what?” I could feel the other Dad’s nodding. She smiled; she was very wise and patient. She had taught thousands of new Dads. “That’s a great question,” pausing for effect, she continued, “That little baby doesn’t know you don’t know. Just give him a lot of love, you will be fine.” It turned out to be the best parenting advice I ever received.

When I was a kid, maybe five years old, I have a distinct memory of my father holding my hand at Matthews Beach in Seattle. My head came up to his waist. He was a big man, 6’-4” and 240 pounds. In his day, he was an extraordinary athlete, All-State in three sports. He once scored 34 points in a Regional Final in Basketball. He started playing baseball at age 16, pitching, his Junior year in High School.

He told me the following story one night in Seattle. We were sitting in the brand new Safeco Field watching the Seattle Mariners pound the Cleveland Indians.

By the time he was a senior in high school; pro scouts were at every game. This was 1947 in Ravenna, Ohio. The Indians had the best pitching staff in baseball. One particular scout was enamored of my Dad. He signed a whopping $500 bonus to play for the Dayton Mud Hens, AA team.

His second summer, my Dad got the call. He showed up with the scout to find the General Manager of the team, the owner, a catcher, and an empty Cleveland Stadium. He said to me with a serious tone, “Mark, I threw the best baseball of my young life. I was 19 years old and I was fast. I would guess it came in around 85 miles per hour. I was feeling good about myself. I was on. I gave it everything I had. I just knew they were impressed.”

After 20 minutes, the owner stood up and yelled out to me, “Okay, Bob, we are done warming up. Go ahead and show us what you got!” Up to this point while he was telling me this story, he looked straight ahead. To end the story, he turned his head, looked straight at me and said, “I knew right then I would never play in the Big Show.”

I was 42 years old when he told me that story. I heard a lot of stories growing up, but that was not one of them. This one was special. He was confiding in me. He trusted me. It was time to bare a little of his soul.

My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s recently. Everything is changing now. The more I learn about this insidious and horrible disease, the sadder I become. A part of this big man dies a little every day. The burden is carried by my mom. She is hauling a massive load. (for a special story on Alzheimer’s, go to www.mattesonavenue.com and click on “What’s New!!!” tab to read the story “When the Box is Empty”)

I cherish the moments I have with my dad now. I know for him, it’s the 9th inning and the manager may be making that call to the bullpen any time now. Grief is a form of energy and must be dissipated somehow in healthy ways or it turns inward in the form of depression or self-destruction. Writing is how I process that grief.

I have captured many memories of my father in my journal the past year. I cry tears of regret, pain, anguish, heartache, sadness, anger and sorrow. Occasionally, when I think of my dad in that empty stadium giving it all he had, I cry a tear of joy. I love my dad.

Now my son Colin is grown. He will go off to college in the fall. 19 years later, that little baby got all the love I had. He is 6’-8”, 210 pounds. He is on his way to The University of Alaska at Fairbanks in August to play basketball on a scholarship, a great athlete, a lot like his Grandpa. It’s bittersweet. My father and son are leaving about the same time for different reasons. I think I am just going to give them each a lot love before they go. I will be just fine.

Pinnacle Service Group
Raising the Bar in Organizations Nationwide
Mark Matteson
877.672.2001
Fax 425.745.8981
Email psgmarkm@msn.com

For your FREE e-zine, go to http://www.mattesonavenue.com

Finding the best nursing home is easier than you might think. That is assuming there is more than one nursing home in your area so that you have something to compare. The sad part is that the best nursing home is just the one that meets your expectations better than its competitors. That doesn’t mean it is a good nursing home, it might even mean that it just isn’t the worst.

A good source of information and feedback on local nursing homes is the attending physician for the residents. The staff at the physician’ office works closely with the nursing home staff scheduling appointments and transportation, prescribing medication, and treating ailments as well as serious medical conditions. We found the best nursing home for my grandfather from the recommendation of our cardiologist’s nurse.

One of the most valuable tools to compare nursing homes is a nursing home report you can get through Check My Nursing Home.com. This report will tell you about complaints against the nursing home, inspections of the nursing home, abuse and neglect cases, and other valuable feedback that potential residents need to be aware of.

This report is definitely a necessity, but the most valuable tool to compare nursing homes is personal interviews with residents, staff members, and family members. Remember when talking to residents and caregivers that we all compare things based on our own perceptions. For example, my grandfather is getting excellent care and unbelievable attention at his nursing home, but thinks he is being abused and neglected because the food is so bad.

Find out what the employees like and don’t like about their working environment and employer. The attitude and contentment of the staff will have a direct affect on the care and attention your loved one will receive. Compare nursing homes based on how good of an environment it is for nurses to work in, and you’ll get a clearer picture of how good of an environment it is for residents to live in. Ask questions like, "How often do you have to do someone else’s work that is not your job?" You’ll learn a lot about how work is managed, but most importantly, you’ll get a clearer picture of the attitude of the person you are interviewing. Do they have a resentful attitude or a cooperative one? Do they mind helping outside of their job descriptions, or do they see the staff as a team where everyone works together no matter what the task? These keys will give you a good indication of what is going to happen when your loved one needs help going to the potty when the nurse’s aide assigned to their room is busy with another resident.

Always ask specific questions to compare programs and care, such as "Tell me about your physical therapy routine, what exercises you do, and how often?" Asking, "How’s physical therapy here?" will only provide you with personal opinion. And even if the therapy is excellent—if the resident doesn’t like the PT nurse, you’re liable to get a negative response. My grandfather hates the resistance bands his physical therapist uses, and really feels stupid sitting there stretching rubber bands. If you asked him what he thought about physical therapy at his nursing home, you are going to get an earful of how it’s a useless waste of time. But if you specifically ask him what his physical therapy routine consists of and how often he has physical therapy, you’ll get some facts mixed in with the soap box venting.

So to compare nursing homes, visit them personally, ask lots of questions, and interview not only staff, but residents and their families as well. Once you have your choices narrowed down to one or two, order a report on the home to check out what is really happening behind the scenes. And once you’ve chosen the best nursing home, keep checking on them to make sure the care your loved one receives continues to meet your expectations and their needs.

Shannon Davis is a consumer advocate and freelance writer for the health care, nursing home, and long term care industry. What does Shannon have to say about your local nursing home? Visit http://www.checkmynursinghome.com

There are many advantages that a rolling walker can provide, including the freedom to keep you mobile. And with stylish colors and designs available, you can feel good shopping at the mall or strolling outdoors. If this is your first purchase of a walker, start by looking at brand models such as the Guardian Envoy 460 or the Nova Cruiser GetGo. These two walkers are reasonable priced and include many smart features. Read on for more information and comparisons of standard walkers versus rollators.

Who should consider a walker with wheels?

If you’re steady on your feet and still able to get around but have some trouble with balance then the answer is: you. Since many people have just one mobility walker: standard or rolling, consider whether or not the rollator will benefit your lifestyle. These mobility aids are work best for:

Flat surfaces
Living facilities
Strolling
Performing daily activities such as shopping

In addition, state of the art features and a handsome design make the wheeled walker a stylish piece of equipment. Typical features include: 4 wheels and hand brakes. Deluxe features include: padded seats and baskets. Top manufacturers such as Invacare, Nova and Guardian, typically allow you to customize your walker, adding on the accessories that you desire. Besides the accessories listed above you may also want to add on such extras as a: tray, cup holder, tote bag, travel bag or hanging walker bag.

For individual selection, there are also walkers designed with 3 wheels such as, Nova’s Traveler Rolling Walker. This mobility aid can be used on any terrain, is lightweight (only12 pounds), and is very easy to maneuver (It is recommended for those not requiring the extra stability of a 4 wheeled walker.)

Another choice, the Nova Cruiser II, is designed for first time walker users. Instead of 4 wheels it has two 5” front wheels and rubber tip rear legs. This feature helps prevent the walker from rolling away as well as providing more stability.

For heavy weight models that can handle 375 pounds and 600 pounds respectively, take a look at the Guardian Envoy 480 and the Nova Mighty Mac. The Mighty Mac features a 20” wide seat and is good for people between 5’5” to 6’1”.

For great value and quality the Guardian Envoy 460 is worth considering. With a 275 pound weight capacity and users height range from 5’5” to 6’1”, this is a sturdy yet lightweight aluminum framed walker on wheels. What’s nice about this piece of equipment is that it includes the padded seat and under seat basket for the price: often you pay more for these features. You can also choose your color - blue, green or red.

Another popular light weight choice is the Nova Cruiser GetGo. This walking aid weighs only 12 pounds and is suitable for users from 5’4” to 6’1”. What’s nice about this walker is that it has a gentle “feather touch” braking system. It is also easy to lift and perfect for strolling outdoors.

Rolling walker versus standard walker

There are many factors to consider when deciding on which style of walker to buy. What will Medicare pay for? What’s the lowest price? What features are necessary?

But essentially the needs and mobility level of the user is the first place to start. We’ve discussed rolling walkers but there are also good choices in standard walkers. Brands such as Invacare, Guardian, TFI Health Care and Carex are all popular manufacturers.

A typical standard walker features 4 legs with rubber feet. These mobility aids are generally lighter weight than rolling walkers, about 6 pounds on average. They also tend to cost less. And, many standard walkers fold easily, with some models folding flat for compact storage.

To accessorize, baskets can be added. You can also add 2 wheels to increase maneuverability and allow the walker to glide easily over rough terrain. Another item, the Walkerball Tennis Ball Glide, provides effortless, scuff free movement across the floor. These balls are designed to fit most standard walkers.

So you can see with quality choices in both types of walkers there are plenty of options to keep you mobile. For more information on http://www.wheelchair-ramps-and-mobility-aids.com

Nicole Martins is a contributing author and publisher to http://www.wheelchair-ramps-and-mobility-aids.com a comprehensive guide to the mobility products and assistive technologies, helping you to overcome disabilities and live a more active life.

Mobility scooters can mean freedom, but you when you need a scooter, it’s important to buy the right product for your needs. There are four basic styles of electric mobility scooters: travel, three wheel, four wheel and heavy duty. One of them is right for you.

Travel Scooters

Travel scooters are light and portable. They work well in tight spaces and are easy to transport. Most travel scooters disassemble easily into three or four pieces and will fit in almost any car. However, they don’t have much ground clearance and won’t handle bumps well. While travel scooters come in three and four wheel models, their main selling points are portability and low cost. Expect to pay $600 to $2,000 new.

Full Size Three and Four Wheel Scooters

Compared to a travel scooter, full sized scooters have more of everything: comfort, foot room and ground clearance. With only one front wheel, three wheeled scooters may offer the most foot and leg room of any scooter style. On the other hand, four wheeled models provide improved stability. Full sized scooters require a full sized vehicle, and they may be a little big for indoor use in some homes. Outdoor use, even on rough dirt roads should be good. These machines will probably require use of an electric wench or ramp to load into your vehicle. Expect to pay $700 to $3,000 for the scooter and $350 to $2,000 for a new ramp or wench.

Heavy Duty Scooters

While ordinary scooters top out at a 250 pounds weight limit, heavy duty models can handle passengers up to 500 pounds. Frames, seats and motors are all built to handle the increased demands. Prices for new heavy duty scooters start around $2,000 and go up to almost $4,000. Again, you’ll need a wench or ramp with one of these plus sized units.

If you want to maintain your freedom and independence, experts recommend you adapt early and adapt often. Don’t let anyone talk you into a scooter that won’t fit your home, your car or your lifestyle. Keep your battery topped up and get back out there!

About the Author

Rodney Robbins has a rare myopathy called Periodic Paralysis. On bad days, he uses a three wheeled travel scooter to protect his muscles from damaging exercise. Rodney suggests you visit http://www.spinlife.com or http://www.thescooterstore.com/ for great deals on mobility equipment.

Who Needs a Scooter?

Do you have trouble walking long distances? Joint pain, balance issues or muscle problems? If so, you might enjoy life more if you used a mobility scooter to assist you. On the other hand, you might hate the darned thing! Before you spend fistfuls of your own money, or fight with doctors and insurance about getting a reimbursement, consider a free test ride.

You Don’t Need to Buy to Try

You don’t need to call a salesman or some toll free number from TV. You don’t even need to do a Google search or check the Yellow Pages. Nope. Instead, the next time you are in a big department, hardware or grocery store, try one of their courtesy scooters. These full size, heavy duty scooters are usually kept up front by the grocery carts.

Don’t Feel Guilty About Your First Time

If this is your first time trying a scooter, you might feel a little guilty. What if someone comes along who needs it more than you do? So, only take a scooter if there are two or more available. That’s one for you, and one for the next guy.

Try it. Go slow. Watch out you don’t bump into things with that giant basket up front. Then see how you feel when you are done shopping. If you feel rested, or at least not as exhausted as you usually would after roaming around one of those giant stores, a scooter might be right for you. Try it a few more times, then decide if you might like to own a scooter, or if using the store machines is all you need. Your answer will make a huge difference in your physical and financial health, and you can get your answer for FREE.

About the Author Rodney Robbins has a rare muscle disorder called Periodic Paralysis. He frequently uses a portable travel scooter to protect his muscles from damage. For great deals on scooters, power wheelchairs and other mobility aids, visit http://www.spinlife.com or read Rodney’s fiction blog at http://www.lulu.com/rodneyrobbins.

There has been much advancement in the field of wheelchairs, specifically mobility wheelchairs. But now there is something even more versatile, mobility electric scooters. When it comes to the elderly or handicapped mobility scooters may be the best thing since sliced bread.

In the past disabled persons would lose out on many uplifting activities. But with the innovations in mobility scooters, the elderly and handicapped are not feeling quite as old or as feeble as they once were. Why? When you can get around almost as well as active healthy people you can return to being a part of the family or community. Independence is once again your ally. The ability to get around the house or out in public once again can be a major boost in a persons self worth. No more dependence on others to perform common everyday tasks.

Motorized electric scooters for people with a handicap are fast becoming the way of the future. With technological advances being made with regard to electric mobility scooters it’s no wonder they have taken the disabled world by storm. It’s a thrill seeing a 90 year old man walking his dog with the help of a mobility electric scooter, something that he wouldn’t have been possible just a few short years ago. But now there is practically nowhere a person can’t go with the help of an electric motor scooter.

There are gas motor scooters and electric motorized scooters, but for the handicapped gas scooters are out and electric is in. No need for gas, just plug it in for a recharge and then off you go with full independence once again. These wonderful scooters are getting faster and lighter. Plus, the scooter batteries have drastically improved, allowing much longer periods of driving without the need for a recharge. Wouldn’t it be nice being able to scoot around all day without the need for a charge?

Another advantage of mobility electric motor scooters is the cost. They are not only becoming increasingly less expensive, but if a person is disabled or handicapped it may even be possible to have Medicare or other medical insurance pick up some or all of the tab.

When purchasing an electric scooter be sure to take it for a test drive before buying. The most important thing is making sure that your motorized scooter is comfortable. By purchasing a comfortable scooter it’ll be a pleasant drive anywhere you go. Another consideration is the cost. If at all possible have your health insurance company pay for part of the price. But even if you have no insurance it is well worth the price. No price can be put on being independent and mobile, especially if you’ve been laid up for awhile.

One of the many options available in mobile electric scooters is their number of wheels. There are models that have either 3 wheels or 4 wheels. The 3 wheel scooters are typically lighter in weight. The 4 wheel models are typically heavier, but may be a little better balanced when going quickly around a turn. Two wheels in the front make for a more stable vehicle around sharp corners. Once again, it is wise to test drive before buying.

There are many different options including colors, sizes, weights, number of wheels, battery capacity and the types of seats. If chosen carefully an electric scooter can become one of the best purchases ever made for the handicapped, disabled or elderly.

Sally Johnson writes about many topics. Spreading the word about the wonderful world of mobility electric scooters is one of her missions. For more information about mobility electric scooters please visit her site.

My husband’s mother is 85 years old and has never used a computer. She has no desire to learn and can see no reason a computer would ever be useful to her.

A few years ago, Mom felt the same way about the microwave. After a lifetime of managing without one, why start now? No amount of persuasion worked, but after one visit, we left a small microwave in her kitchen. She tried it out a few times and realized what a useful tool it could be. The same method did not work with a computer. Much more learning was involved, so the machine sat gathering dust until we took it back home. Every visit we talked about how much we could do with our computers, but she remained unconvinced.

"You can keep your mind active, learning about many different things" we said.

"I watch educational TV" was her answer.

"You can get photos of your family, so we don’t seem so far away."

"I’d rather see all of you in person" was the response.

"Keep up with what’s going on in the world."

"I like to read the newspaper for that."

"What about having an online chat with your children?"

"I prefer to hear their voices on the phone" said Mom.

After that, we rarely talked about Mom learning to use a computer. She spent her spare time gardening and we visited whenever we could.

Then one summer, we decided to stay over for a few days. We toured her city, went shopping together and ate out. In the evenings we talked, but eventually the conversation ran out and we didn’t want to waste our visit watching TV.

Out came the scrabble board and we soon realized Mom was quick, competitive and loved the game. She would play all day if that was possible.

"Too bad more of the family can’t be here" she remarked.

"You know" said my husband, "if you had a computer, we could have an online scrabble game with all of us, plus you could play against people from all over the world, whenever you wanted to."

"Could I really?" Mom asked, finally showing some interest.

The sparkle in her eyes told us there was now a reason to join the computer generation. Who knows, maybe this winter she’ll be paying bills online in her cozy kitchen instead of trudging through snow to the bank.

Carol Bremner (otherwise known as Granny Geek) is a computer loving member of the gray generation. Her websites promote computer literacy in the home for the over 50 crowd. Her goal is information without overload.

Power wheelchairs have greatly increased in popularity among elderly and disabled individuals. You may also hear power wheelchairs referred to as electric wheelchairs. Just like any other wheelchair style or brand, power wheelchairs have their advantages and disadvantages.

The most obvious advantage to owning a power wheelchair is that they are easy and convenient. Although power wheelchairs do have an electric motor, they are still controlled by the individual in the chair. Depending on the model, some power wheelchairs are controlled by the hands and others may even be controlled by the mouth or other workable body parts. This feature is very important for someone who may not have full use of their hands or arms.

The fact that there are so many varieties of power wheelchairs available is another big plus. There are thousands of wheelchair companies, online websites, and stores that sell power wheelchairs and other styles. Individuals of all ages, shapes, and sizes can end up needing a wheelchair at one point in their life. For this reason, wheelchair manufactures tend to customized chairs or provide a large variety of different styles for each power wheelchair model. Individuals of all weight and heights should be able to find a compatible power wheelchair.

Although power wheelchairs do have some disadvantages, many of them can be turned into advantages with extra money or additional features. Typically a power wheelchair will not fold up or come apart. Most individuals who need to travel may not have a van or larger vehicle to store the power wheelchair; therefore they will have to make other plans. You may have to purchase an additional manual wheelchair for trips. Another option would be to spend more money on a power wheelchair and purchase one that folds ups or will disassemble fairly easily. The fold up power wheelchairs are available in most stores; however, they can cost quite a bit more than traditional power wheelchairs.

Even since power wheelchairs have increased in popularity, there are still many disabled, injured, or elderly individuals who are unable to purchase a power wheelchair. The number one reason why an individual who would like to purchase a power wheelchair cannot is due to financial reasons. Before purchasing a power wheelchair or completely ruling one out, it is important to speak with insurance or Medicare representatives. Many individuals are not aware of the fact that if a wheelchair is advised by a doctor, it may be fully or partial covered by the two.

Power wheelchairs are not only handy but comfortable too. Many power wheelchairs somewhat resemble comfortable computer chairs. Whether a power wheelchair is the best option will depend upon the needs of the individual in question. Although they do not always come cheap, power wheelchairs are comfortable, easy, and safe for everyone to use.

If you would like to learn more about Wheelchairs and wheelchair types, feel free to visit our free wheelchair website located at: Power Wheelchairs

Chair lifts can really enhance mobility for people with handicaps. If you have trouble getting around, there are likely chair lifts on the market that could help you. There are several types of chair lifts, ranging from those that raise a chair to another level for stairs or vehicles to lifts that raise a person to a level that will allow them to stand.

Chair lifts that many people have found to be a tremendous help are those that help people in wheelchairs get up the stairs. There are many different brands and models of chair lifts that can help perform this function. When you are deciding which one to purchase, there are several things that you should look at as buying criteria.

You should always examine the weight capacity of chair lifts before picking them. Don’t cut it close to the limit, either. Also, you should look at any extra equipment, if any, that you would need to purchase to make it functional in your home. Also, you should look at any extra installation costs to make the chair lift functional. Some of these chair lifts require the person to be able to move from seat to seat on their own. Others do not. This should also be a factor. If you are having trouble deciding, talk to a professional. These people know all the possible problems and they can help you to see down the road. These chair lifts can sometimes seem pretty expensive. However, it much less expensive than adding ramps in your house would be. The cost of that kind of construction can run pretty high.

Many people, while not confined to a wheelchair, often have trouble sitting down and then standing up from their chairs. There are now chair lifts to assist in this. These lifts attach to your favorite living room type chairs. When you are getting out of them, you elevate them so that they do part of the work of standing you up for you. Then, when you go to sit, there is much less of a distance to sit. This can enable you to relax wherever you want much more easily.

You can also find chair lifts to help you get into and out of your vehicle. And chair lifts have even been used to allow handicapped people to go hunting in their tree stands. Whatever you have trouble doing, there is some avenue to help you. Chair lifts just might be the right avenue. And even if they don’t always agree with your pocket book, who can put a price on mobility and living your life to the fullest?

To get more information and any questions you have about Lift Chairs answered visit http://www.bestchairlift.info

How do you choose the right lift chair for an elderly relative? I, like many of us, have relatives that are beginning to get up in age. For them, getting up from a sitting position in a traditional chair can be really difficult. For people in that situation, lift chairs offer an opportunity for more freedom and a certain amount of normalcy in their lives. The ability to get up and down out of a chair may seem simple, but it can go a long way in making someone who is elderly maintain their independence.

A lift chair can make a big difference in the ways mentioned above. They are generally made the same as any upholstered chair in terms of the main part of the chair. However, the main difference is that a lift chair is built with a motor. The motor helps to lift the chair up to aid the user in standing up out of the chair. A good one will almost put the user in a standing position. A lift chair can also prevent a user from flopping down by coming up to meet him or her. They are a fantastic tool in keeping people independent even as they struggle to sit and stand.

Selecting the right lift chair for you relative can be difficult. You will probably wnt to start with style. Many of the lift chairs look like any other recliner, sofa, accent chair, or love seat. There are a few that are even beds. If you are in the market for a lift chair, make sure you get something the user is going to enjoy in terms of looks and comfort as well as the obvious functionality. Talk with the person, or if he or she cannot help in the process, consult caregivers who can give input on style, look, and functions needed.

Another factor to consider in the purchase of the lift chair is the size and height. The size of the chair needs to match the needs of the user to whom you are giving it. If the chair is too small, the user may not feel comfortable in it. On the other hand, a chair that is too large will be uncomfortable in another way. Again, if the eventual user can go with you to try them out, which will just make things easier. Otherwise, measure heights and sizes of existing furniture and even perhaps the patient.

Two other things you may consider are the weight of the user and the power source. Different lift chairs have varying weight capacities. Just make sure you are getting enough chair to accommodate the user. As for power, some lift chairs plug into traditional outlets, while others use a battery pack. Some have both so that they will still work in a power outage. Just make sure you get what will best fit the needs of the eventual user.

Nobody likes to lose their independence. As people grow older, in fact, independence becomes even more important. If you find yourself responsible for someone who is beginning to age to the point where getting up and down out of a chair is difficult, you may want to look into a lift chair. A lift chair will offer the user independence in furniture, while looking like regular furniture.

If you would like to find more of my personal articles on chair lifts please check out my furniture website!