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An accessible bathroom is an important part of any home. It’s necessary for those with mobility issues, but it can also be a huge convenience for older adults. Making sure your bathroom can accommodate everyone is vital to making your home a comfortable place for anyone to spend their time. However, because of all the interconnected factors in these designs, you might find that creating one of these spaces is a bit of a challenge. Here is what you need to know about creating a handicap-accessible bathroom that is both safe and comfortable. The Basics of Handicap Accessibility Handicap accessibility is all about making sure that those with limited mobility can move around a space safely. This means that there are certain features and design elements you must include in an accessible bathroom design. Accessible features include spacious pathways from the door; grab bars near toilets, showers, and tubs; and wide enough doors for wheelchairs or walkers to fit through. When designing

  On September 6, 2022, Philips Respironics alerted customers worldwide of updated instructions and labeling of specific sleep therapy masks that contain magnetic headgear clips due to potential risk of serious injury. The FDA announced this recall related to certain Respironics nasal and face masks that contain a magnet.   Below are the official notifications: Philips Respironics Urgent Medical Device Correction   Philips Respironics Announcement FAQs   FDA Recall Announcement   The above letter from Respironics explains the safety risks with the magnet masks along with the masks affected by this recall. Magnets can create health risks with implanted metallic devices or metallic objects in the body of a patient or their bed partner.  Hart Medical Equipment recommends any patient with a metallic device or object in the body consults with their physician about the continued use of the mask with a magnet. Should your physician recommend

  Caring for the Elderly: What New Caregivers Should Know   Approximately 40.4 million adults in the United States are caregivers to seniors aged 65 and older, according to Pew Research. Among these 40.4 million, 61% are employed, with over half working their own full-time jobs. Additionally, one in five caregivers claims they administer care on a daily basis. Given this overload of obligations, new caregivers need to know how to juggle their responsibilities so that they can administer care effectively. To help, we’ve provided a few tips new caregivers can use. Know your responsibilities Though the unexpected is always bound to happen, you can reduce stress significantly by giving yourself a clear idea of what you need to do daily. Go into each day prepared by listing down any responsibilities you may have to oversee. Some responsibilities caregivers will likely have include meal preparation, housekeeping, and bathing. You may also have to

  The manufacturer, Philips Respironics, has issued a recall on some of their CPAP and Bi-Level devices and ventilator devices due to an issue with the internal sound abatement foam. As a Hart Medical Equipment customer, your health and safety are our top priority. We are working diligently with Philips Respironics on a repair or replace program and will be reaching out to you with further details. Additionally, we have escalated the issue with insurance companies, including Medicare, to advocate on your behalf. Click HERE to view Philips Respironics' Sleep and Respiratory Care Update regarding this recall and related details. Ventilators: Because ventilators offer life-sustaining support, please continue to use your ventilator as directed by your physician. To help protect you from having issues with the sound abatement foam, Philips Respironics advises that you change your inline bacterial filter. Hart will provide extra filters and encourages you to replace them

It’s natural to worry about your parents as they age. They spend your entire childhood looking after you and now you want to do your part to look after them! Daily Living Aids are a great way to give you peace of mind to support your parents’ safety and independence. Daily Living Aids are exactly what they sound like: equipment to assist with daily activities that people struggle with as they get older such as standing up and sitting down, reaching top shelves, etc. Keep reading to learn about different these recommended safety products for your aging parents to try!  Grab Bars are handles installed on the wall by a toilet seat or outside a shower. Grab bars add extra stability for a person to hold onto as they sit down and stand up from the toilet or get in and out of the shower. Weak core strength and wet bathroom surfaces can make the bathroom