Tips For Renting Mobility Equipment For Out-of-Town Guests During The Holidays
The holiday season is a wonderful time when families and loved ones gather to share meals and gifts and make lasting memories. For everyone to feel included, they must have equal access to all the events. Renting mobility equipment for family members with mobility challenges extends far beyond mere convenience, as having mobility limitations often prevents them from participating in holiday festivities.
By renting mobility equipment locally, you remove that barrier and allow them to safely enjoy outings and stay engaged. Holidays should be about family and togetherness, not stress. Renting mobility equipment enables everyone, from hosts to guests, to relax and enjoy their time together.
Who Would Benefit From Rented Mobility Equipment?
Mobility equipment is not only for seniors who have age-related mobility challenges, but a wide range of your holiday guests may benefit, including:
- Individuals recovering from surgery, especially major surgery like hip, knee, or back surgery.
- Individuals with chronic conditions like arthritis, heart disease, or neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
- Anyone with respiratory illnesses such as COPD, asthma, or other lung issues who needs to conserve energy.
- Active seniors who usually rely on mobility equipment at home, but are unable to bring it along when traveling.
Beyond convenience, there are other reasons that families choose to rent mobility equipment for guests who will be arriving for the holidays:
- Safety – renting mobility equipment for guests with mobility challenges will reduce the risks of falls in an unfamiliar environment.
- Independence – guests will be able to move around freely without needing to constantly ask for assistance.
- Inclusion – the equipment will allow those with strength/balance challenges to be included in daily holiday activities that they would not otherwise be able to participate in.
- Comfort – proper support will encourage guests who have chronic pain or injury to move around more freely, and rely less on loved ones and caregivers.
Mobility Equipment To Consider Renting For The Holidays
When deciding what mobility equipment to rent, you need to consider the guest’s health and level of mobility.
Common rental options may include:
- Wheelchairs
- Manual wheelchairs are ideal for guests who have good upper body strength or are accompanied by a caregiver who can assist them.
- Power wheelchairs are preferred by individuals with limited upper-body strength.
- Transport chairs are light and easy to maneuver, making them the ideal wheelchairs for short trips or quick outings.
- Power scooters – these are ideal for guests who want to be independent while shopping or sightseeing. These also come in various sizes, ranging from compact power scooters to the more heavy-duty models.
- Walkers and rollators
- Ideal for guests who have minor balance challenges. They do not have wheels or a seat.
- Rollators come with two wheels or four wheels, and with or without a seat. Walkers are ideal for those who plan to walk longer distances and for people who need rest breaks while walking.
- Lift chairs – ideal for individuals who struggle to sit down or stand up due to joint pain or muscle weakness. Lift chairs gently raise the user from a sitting to a standing position or vice versa, reducing the strain on their joints and minimizing the risk of falling.
Tips For Deciding What Mobility Equipment Your Guests Will Need.
Choosing the right equipment may feel like a daunting task if you are not sure what you want. Here are some questions to ask that will help you to decide.
1. What are your guests’ current mobility limitations?
Confirm with your guests whether they can walk independently or if they need equipment to support their mobility daily. Knowing what mobility equipment they use daily will be very helpful when considering what equipment you need to hire for their stay.
2. What holiday activities have they planned?
Confirm whether they will be planning sightseeing trips, shopping, participating in outdoor events, or if they plan to be spending most of their time relaxing with family at their accommodation. Knowing their itinerary and level of activity will guide you as to the equipment that they may need, and ensure they are not excluded from activities they want to partake in.
3. What is your home environment like?
You need to look at your home with a critical eye and decide whether the equipment you have in mind can be accommodated in the areas where your guests will be moving around. Do you have stairs? Are your hallways narrow? All these considerations must be weighed up before renting any mobility equipment.
Some ways that you can make your home safe and comfortable for guests with mobility challenges include:
- Removing loose rugs or carpets and decluttering walkways.
- Rearranging furniture so that the walkways are wider.
- Adding non-slip mats in dangerous areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
- Adding a temporary wheelchair ramp for entryways.
- Installing night lights in hallways, bathrooms, and the kitchen ensures that your guests are not at risk of falling due to poor lighting.
4. What are the delivery and set-up options?
Some mobility equipment is bulky, heavy, or difficult to assemble. You must choose a rental company that offers delivery and professional setup. Before renting any equipment, check that the mobility equipment rental company will:
- Deliver the equipment directly to your door, especially if it is heavy or bulky.
- Provide clear instructions, or have a technician set up the equipment correctly and safely.
- Have flexible pick-up or drop-off options once your guests have departed.
5. What are the insurance and Rental policies?
Before considering or finalizing a rental, it is very important to review policies and potential insurance coverage. The questions to consider are:
- Does insurance cover the rental or a portion of it
- What is the rental period? Is it daily, weekly, monthly, or long-term?
- Are there extra charges during the holiday?
- What is the policy if you need the equipment for a shorter or longer length of time?
- Are you protected if the equipment is damaged?
Why Planning Ahead Matters
During the holiday season, demand for wheelchairs, scooters, lift chairs, and other mobility equipment increases significantly as families prepare to host loved ones with mobility challenges. If you wait for the last minute, you may face limited availability, higher prices, delivery delays, or be unable to secure the equipment that you need.
Planning and booking the equipment early allows you to:
- Reserve the exact equipment that you need
- Schedule the delivery for the time that is convenient to you
- Ensure that all your guests feel welcomed and can join in all the festivities the minute they arrive.
Affordable Medical Supply: Keeping Your Guests Mobile This Holiday
Holidays are a time to relax and celebrate being with family and loved ones. If you are hosting out-of-town guests with mobility limitations this holiday season, let Affordable Medical Supply make it a stress-free period. With our wide selection of mobility rental equipment, we ensure everyone can join in the fun!
To ensure your guests enjoy the holidays in comfort and safety, reserve your mobility equipment early. Call us at 866-484-7599 today.
