Life with Quantum

Kid Wheelchair Funding and Medicaid

As the largest program that is designed to give health-related and medical services, Medicaid assists many individuals with low incomes. If your kid has a mobility impairment due to a medical condition such as spinal muscular atrophy or struggles with health issues, they may qualify for a power wheelchair through your state’s Medicaid program! Get more information on what services Medicaid offers and how your child may qualify for a kid wheelchair.

What is Medicaid?

Although it is funded through cooperative efforts of the federal and state governments, your state administers its own Medicaid program, staying within broad national guidelines set by the federal government. Your state also establishes its own eligibility standards and determines the type of services it provides, the scope of services, the amount of services it offers, and how long the services are offered. Each state also sets the rate of payment for services received.

Kids Wheelchairs and Medicaid Requirements

To qualify for Medicaid, a child’s parents must meet income and resource limits. He or she must be medically needy or fall into a state-specified eligibility category. Any kid receiving Supplementary Security Income (SSI) automatically qualifies.

Medicaid will only cover a kids wheelchair if the child has a medical need for the specific wheelchair. A written doctor’s prescription is also required that specifies the type of kid wheelchair needed. Wheelchairs for children can be covered as Durable Medical Equipment (DME) under state Medicaid programs. Circumstances for coverage vary from one state to another. Some of the variations include:

Coverage for outdoor, vocational use
Coverage for skilled nursing homes
Kid wheelchair accessory coverage; some states have age limitations for coverage
Whether the wheelchair for disabled child can be purchased or rented
Some states require completion of special forms or physical therapy reports

If your son or daughter qualifies for both Medicare and Medicaid, sometimes Medicaid covers the portion of the cost of a wheelchair for disabled child that is not covered by Medicare.

Power Adjustable Seat Height on a Kid Wheelchair

Medicaid may also cover the cost of power adjustable seat height on wheelchairs for children. Medicaid considers funding power adjustable seat height on a case-by-case basis. It must be demonstrated that elevated seating is essential for transfers, reach, access, safety, communication and/or supports identified educational and vocational goals. iLevel® power adjustable seat height can improve daily functionality and quality of life for your kid by allowing operation of the power chair with the seat elevated up to 12 inches, while driving up to 3.5 mph. Click to learn more about iLevel technology on wheelchairs for children.

Wheelchair-Accessible Outdoors Guide

The world is your oyster. That is until you run into uneven terrain filled with gravel and inaccessible restrooms. The outdoors is meant for everyone to enjoy any time of the year. Some workers at national parks dedicate some of their time to making the parks accessible for all to experience. There are also organizations, such as the RVing Accessibility Group, and individuals who travel around to campsites to recommend changes that they can make, for those campsites that haven’t taken this step yet. While much of the world is catching up on accessibility, we have compiled some suggestions for where you can take your next outdoor trip.

National Parks

Some national parks’ websites have accessibility information on their website, such as the Grand Canyon. With a quick internet search, you can also find blog articles written by travel sites and others from the perspective of travelers in motorized wheelchairs. You may also consider joining a forum and asking your questions about accessibility ahead of time, to hear about real experiences from other travelers who have been there, done that and got the t-shirt. As always, when planning a trip, even if the website says that a place is accessible, we recommend calling ahead and discussing with someone your accessibility needs and expectations.

In addition to finding accessible national parks, you can even experience them for free on certain days known as Free Entrance Days. You can find more information on how to save money by planning your trip during Free Entrance Days on the National Park Service’s website.

Dark Sky Parks

Have you been wanting to go stargazing? Although it can be done from your home, there are parks around the world with low light pollution that are protected for a variety of reasons. This protection allows for quality stargazing. Dark Sky parks can be found all over the world, with several of those parks being found within the United States.

One of the most famous Dark Sky parks is Cherry Springs State Park, located in Pennsylvania. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Cherry Springs State Park is one of the best places on the eastern seaboard for stargazing and astronomy because of its exceptionally dark skies. The DCNR cites Cherry Springs as ADA accessible but suggests contacting the park ahead of time to talk about what accommodations you will need, as well as possible obstacles.

Trails

If you enjoy hiking, some trails are accessible for power wheelchair users. Sometimes trails have shared use paths that are designed for bicycles, pedestrians and wheelchairs. These paths are also known as multiuse trails.

To find an area with accessible trails near you before your next trip, you can check out the following websites:

Accessible RVs

Winnebago launched accessibility enhanced motorhomes that give wheelchair users comfort and privacy of having their own space, making their travels more enjoyable. If you aren’t one for flying, long TSA lines and worrying about delays, but don’t enjoy the potential discomfort that comes with a long car ride, an accessible RV might be an investment worth making. Another benefit of owning an accessible enhanced motorhome includes being able to bring your service animal with you during your travels. This means not having to worry about finding a place that is both accessible and accommodates service animals. There are several RV parks and campgrounds across the country that you can visit.

Amp Up Autumn with These Features

Autumn is a season that is loved by many for its colorful atmosphere and variety of activities and events. You’ve probably already seen some fall bucket list graphics circling around social media, as well as posts from friends and family who have been trying to cross off all the items on it. Many fall activities are wheelchair accessible and can be enjoyed by people of all abilities. However, we wanted to share some power wheelchair features that’ll take your autumn to the next level. These features will not only make things safer and more convenient, but they’ll have you falling for the Edge 3 with iLevel this season!

iLevel Elevation

With iLevel® technology, you can elevate 12” on your Edge 3, making it easier to see and be seen at football games. Edge 3 power wheelchair user, Christina Myers, shared how iLevel helped her to transfer onto a hayride.

iLevel is also perfect for the aspiring cooks and bakers who love making fall dishes. Christina also spoke with us about her experience baking muffins at iLevel. Because of the 12” of elevation on her seat, she was able to reach ingredients on shelves and in cabinets of her kitchen, as well as elevate up and down whenever she needed to reach her oven or her countertop.

SRS Suspension on Your Wheelchair

When it comes to outdoor activities like apple picking and going on a hike to see the fall foliage, the terrain can be bumpy. In addition to those fun festivities, some corn mazes have paths that are both wide and flat enough for a wheelchair to safely travel through, making them an accessible activity to add to your fall bucket list. We recommend that you call the farm ahead of time to ask if their corn maze is wheelchair accessible.

Having reliable suspension on your power chair is important. Experiencing high amounts of vibration in a power wheelchair has been linked to user fatigue and discomfort. With unprecedented comfort and ride quality, Smooth Ride Suspension (SRS) delivers exceptional driving performance over multiple terrains. Additionally, SRS adds stability to optional iLevel® Power Adjustable Seat Height.

LED Lights on Your Power Wheelchair

Looking for your fall to be lit? The LED lights that come standard on the Edge 3 power chair offers increased visibility. Whether you are wanting to see better when trick-or-treating, navigate easily through spooky attractions or even tell scary stories outside, you can easily operate your LED lights. It’s as simple as touching a switch!

The positioning of these lights increases pedestrian visibility from a wide range of angles. Christina shared that when she got back from her hayride, she was able to easily find her motorized wheelchair because of the light.

Seatbelt

One feature that comes standard on every power chair but gets overlooked is the seatbelt. To ensure your safety, it’s important to wear your seatbelt, especially when navigating uneven terrain in the dark.

When it comes to “accessibility”, everyone has a different interpretation of what it means for a place or event to be accessible. Trying new activities can be intimidating, but Christina said it best: “Just get out there and do what you want to do. Your chair’s going to help you.”

If you want to learn more about the features and benefits of iLevel and how they can not only enhance your fall activities, but also your daily life, click the link for more information!

How to Plan the Perfect Staycation

For some, the idea of staying in their hometown for a week with nothing to do is living the dream. For others, it can feel suffocating. Whether you’re planning a staycation because you want to know your area better, or don’t have the budget for going elsewhere, you may not know where to start. What even is a staycation anyway?

Staycations are all about you. Just because you’re staying in the area doesn’t mean that you have to be bored all week. Staycations are what you make of them, which means that the amount of planning equals the kind of experience you’ll have.

You may be staying in the same place, but it’s about gaining a different perspective. If you don’t feel like frequenting all your favorite places but don’t know what to do, look no further. We’ve compiled some tips to help you plan your ideal staycation.

Explore Your Hometown

Whether you live in a small town that doesn’t have much to do or you live in a big city, we can confidently say that there’s probably at least one restaurant that you haven’t been to or one place you haven’t explored…yet.

Edge 3 Wheelchair with iLevel technology

If you don’t already have a list of places or attractions in mind that you would like to visit, try using resources available to tourists. After all, if you want to be like a tourist, then you have to think like a tourist. Resources include websites created about your town or city for people who are visiting, brochures from your area’s welcome center or apps like Yelp to find restaurants that you haven’t been to. Even going on a walk or a drive can help you discover something you are interested in seeing or doing.

Check Events in Your Area

Do you live by any museums? Does your area have any landmarks? What about places that offer tours? Check local venues to see if there are any upcoming events such as concerts, festivals or workshops. If you really want to have the vacationer’s experience, you can even book a room at a resort or hotel, just to change the view.

If you feel that you have seen everything that your hometown has to offer, then you can even venture into the next town over.

Spend Time Outdoors

The best things in life are free. Going outdoors is not only beneficial for your wallet, but also for your health. Outdoor activities can be relaxing or stimulating, depending on your preference. From running and swimming to reading a book and tanning, there’s something for everyone.

Mix Recreation and Relaxation

Balance is key when planning any staycation. It’s good to include activities that will help you relax, like reading, napping and visits to the spa. For activities that will get you moving, try an exercise class or shopping.

Do It All with Friends

Bring your friends and loved ones into your staycation for added fun. Remember that friend that you’ve been meaning to see? Ask them to grab lunch and catch up.

To get around busy work schedules, you can host an inclusive gathering at your house such as a game night or barbecue.

Our final piece of advice is to not give into the temptation to do work. If you see housework that needs to be done or remember something that you need to do for your job, you have our permission to not do it. To get the most out of your staycation, unplug from email and social media. You’ll thank yourself for it later.

Finding a Compatible Lift for a Narrow Wheelchair

Purchasing a wheelchair lift could be a valuable investment for you and your loved ones as you travel. You can securely store your narrow wheelchair in the vehicle and bring it with you wherever you go. There are several kinds of vehicle lifts for your narrow wheelchair, including platform lifts and arm or boom lifts. Don’t be fooled! Although there are options out there for lifts, you won’t want to buy just any wheelchair vehicle lift.

There are different factors to take into consideration when choosing the most compatible lift. First and foremost, you want to know the make and model of the primary vehicle you travel in, and the specific model of your narrow wheelchair.

What to Measure

There are four dimensions that are important to know when assessing the compatibility of your wheelchair lift for a vehicle. You should know the weight, length, width and height of the narrow power wheelchair. This is an essential step that should be done carefully. If your wheelchair weighs more than the maximum weight capacity for the wheelchair lift, it can damage the vehicle lift and even make it unsafe to use. The wheelchair lift’s weight capacity should equal or be more than the weight of your narrow electric wheelchair.

Measuring Your Narrow Wheelchair

When measuring your power wheelchair, begin from the front and end at its longest point in the rear. This includes rear casters trailing, if applicable. When measuring the width, you want to go through a similar process. Measure your narrow wheelchair from side-to-side at its widest point. It’s critical that the mobility product’s measurements line up with the dimensions of the platform lift, even leaving room to spare.

To measure the height of the motorized wheelchair, measure from the ground to its tallest point, with the backrest folded, if applicable. This measurement is important because it determines whether the power wheelchair fits through the vehicle’s rear hatch or side door opening and then can fit inside the vehicle.

If you already own a Quantum® Power Chair, such as the Edge 3 Stretto™, we make measuring your product easy! Check out our Brochures page under the General Resources tab to find the specifications for your particular power wheelchair. These include the dimensions mentioned earlier, such as length, width, height and weight.

Consult a Professional

Although it’s good to be prepared for a consultation and do your research before investing in a new product, it’s also a good idea to speak with a professional. When you visit a provider that sell lifts, you can find sales representatives who are familiar with several types of lifts and power wheelchairs. They can discuss which vehicle lifts are compatible with both your narrow wheelchair and the vehicle you use. Speaking with a professional helps you make a confident decision when finding a compatible lift for your narrow wheelchair.

Quantum Announces Launch of Edge 3 Stretto®

DURYEA, PA – Quantum Rehab® is excited to announce the launch of the new Edge 3 Stretto®, the narrowest power base in America.

Quantum believes the Edge 3 Stretto will be a great fit for children, teenagers and smaller adults because of its narrow footprint. “Stretto” means narrow in Italian, and the Edge 3 Stretto base features a width of merely 20.47″ with 12.5″ drive wheels. The Edge 3 Stretto provides outstanding maneuverability in tight spaces and is equipped with independent SRS (Smooth Ride Suspension). Optional iLevel® delivers 12″ of power adjustable seat height at walking speed (up to 3.5 mph).

“Clinicians and providers have been asking Quantum for a narrow power base as there is a great need for one,” said Jay Brislin, Vice President, Quantum Rehab. “We spent a significant amount of time carefully developing the Edge 3 Stretto, which is designed to allow for all power positioning functions in a much narrower footprint than other Group 3 product offerings. We feel this power base will reach milestones never achieved before, especially among the pediatric power population.”

For more information on the Edge 3 Stretto, please go to https://www.quantumrehab.com/quantum-power-bases/edge-3-stretto.asp

Quantum Rehab® is a premier global innovator of consumer-inspired complex rehab products, including the Edge 3, Edge 3 Stretto®, 4Front®, and Quantum Series of power bases, iLevel® seat elevation technology, TRU-Balance® 3 Power Positioning Systems, Q-Logic 3 Advanced Drive Controls, and Stealth Products® cushions and positioning components. Please visit quantumrehab.com.

Quantum Announces Launch of Edge 3 Stretto™

Quantum Rehab® is excited to announce the launch of the new Edge 3 Stretto™, the narrowest power base in America.

Quantum believes the Edge 3 Stretto will be a great fit for children, teenagers and smaller adults because of its narrow footprint. “Stretto” means narrow in Italian, and the Edge 3 Stretto base features a width of merely 20.75″ with 12.5″ drive wheels. The Edge 3 Stretto provides outstanding maneuverability in tight spaces and is equipped with independent SRS (Smooth Ride Suspension). Optional iLevel® delivers 12″ of power adjustable seat height at walking speed (up to 3.5 mph).

For more information on the Edge 3 Stretto, please go to https://www.quantumrehab.com/quantum-power-bases/edge-3-stretto.asp

How to Interview a Home Health Aide

If you serve as a caregiver for your elderly or disabled loved one and can’t be with him or her all the time, it’s a good idea to employ a home health aide. Sometimes referred to as a personal care aide, having a home health aide (HHA) to assist with caregiving duties can help take some of the pressure off you and other caregivers in your family. Here is some helpful information on how to interview a home health aide, including what questions to ask and how to find the right person.

Home Health Aide Definition

It’s important to understand your loved one’s needs and the full extent of the home health aide definition. A home health aide is a trained and certified healthcare worker who assists a patient in the home. Also known as a personal care aide, the individual will assist your loved one with personal care and hygiene, like bathing and getting dressed. Caregivers may also do light housework, such as meal preparation, while other caregivers may do grocery shopping, laundry or take out the garbage.

A certified nursing aide (CNA) provides more advanced medical care than a home health aide. The CNA is required to work under a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse, to whom they report the patient’s condition and progress.

Questions to Ask a Home Health Aide

With beginning the interview process, start off with a friendly conversation to help put both you and the home health aide at ease. Start with some open-ended questions to get the conversation flowing. Then, begin asking questions based on your needs. For example, you could ask:

Sakina relies on a home health aide to help her with activities in the home

How long have you been working as a home health aide?
What hours do you prefer to work?
Are you comfortable with helping someone to use the bathroom, take a shower and get dressed?
Are you comfortable with helping someone eat or walk?

During the interview, you could also describe to the personal care aide certain scenarios and ask how he or she would handle each one. For example, if your loved one, such as mom or dad, has a stubborn streak and sometimes refuse to take medicine, it’s important to hear how a personal care aide handles that situation. If you have a loved one who is forgetful or likes to wander off, inquire how the home health aide would respond in these types of stressful scenarios. It’s important for the person you are interviewing to fully understand the needs and potential challenges that may come from caring for your elderly or disabled loved one.

Home Health Aide Duties Checklist

It may be helpful to come up with a home health aide duties checklist beforehand and show him or her the checklist during the interview. This helps the person you are interviewing to understand what is expected. A home health aide duties checklist is also a great tool to keep at home for other caregivers in your family, so everyone knows what tasks have been completed to ensure the safety and comfort of your loved one.

A Caregiver and Self Care

Once you are successful in finding a home health aide, take advantage of having help to care for your elderly or disabled loved one. Self-care for the caregiver is equally important as caring for the person you love. The Family Caregiver Alliance is an organization that offers support to friends and families who are taking care of loved ones at home. The organization stresses the importance of a caregiver allowing him or herself to feel, whether those feelings are positive or negative. Once you have employed a home health aide, be sure to make time for you. Consider joining a support group for caregivers. For more information on self-care for caregivers, click here.

Winter Activities for Wheelchair Users

Many people enjoy winter for the cooler weather and the beautiful snow-covered scenery. However, there are also plenty of people who dislike the winter for the same reasons. They believe that winter is limiting and that they cannot leave their house because of the weather. The truth is, how your winter turns out depends on your perspective. There are several fun activities that can only be done during this season. With a little bit of research, you too can take part in these activities and make the most of your winter.

See Light Displays

Looking for something to brighten up your night? Winter can be dull and affect your mood. If you have a case of the winter blues and are looking for a pick-me-up, we recommend checking out if there are any light displays near you. All around the world during the holiday season, people string up their holiday lights. Whether you are driving through your neighborhood or going to a well-known light display, you can enjoy the festive decorations that light up the area. If you do choose to go to a light display, there may also be other activities available, such as a walkthrough portion where you can get out of the car and look around at other areas that are decorated with lights. Several places also offer shops where you can browse, buy gifts, or even grab a seasonal snack.

Go to Holiday Markets and Events

Maybe you and your friends aren’t ones for hosting holiday parties. Throughout the holiday season, several towns and cities offer holiday markets and events where you can purchase goods from local vendors. Whether you plan on purchasing something or not, it’s still nice to get out and enjoy the fresh air while admiring the scenery. Before you go, we recommend calling the place you are going to ahead of time to make sure what you want to do accommodates wheelchair users. Even if they advertise their event or market to be wheelchair accessible, you will want to discuss possible barriers you may encounter while you’re there.

Cooking and Baking

Maybe you prefer staying inside, cozying up with a warm drink and having a holiday movie marathon. Whether you are watching your favorite movies alone or with friends and family, you can take your evening indoors to the next level with iLevel® power chairs by enjoying a relaxing evening with the best snacks. If you love cooking or baking, or would like to give either a try, iLevel technology allows you to be able to reach your ingredients on shelves and in cabinets in your kitchen by elevating your seat up to 12 inches. Take advantage of seasonal flavors this year as you cook that perfect dish.

Adaptive Winter Sports for Wheelchair Users

The first snowfall is exciting and beautiful, but once it gets into January and winter seems to linger, you may start to get tired of it. Post-holidays, there aren’t as many fun activities, events and parties going on and you are forced to make your own fun. Have you been wanting to get out or maybe exercise off all the holiday goodies? You can do both! Several winter sports have been adapted so that people of all abilities can participate, both indoor and outdoor. Whether you consider yourself to be athletic or simply want to try something new, we have several articles that talk about winter sports for wheelchair users and how you can get involved, including adaptive snowboarding, adaptive skiing and sled hockey.

Navigating Holidays in Your Wheelchair

The holidays bring up many feelings in people. For some, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For others, not so much. This time of the year can be stressful between trying to shop in crowded malls, attending parties and traveling. We have some tips for how you can maximize the holiday season with your power wheelchair while minimizing stress.

Decorating with iLevel®

You may be thinking of decorating to prepare your home for the holidays. While some of your decorations will go on tabletops and on lower surfaces, you may run into situations where you want to decorate the higher spaces, whether it’s putting ornaments and lights on the tree or decorating higher shelves and surfaces. Not only does iLevel® help with daily tasks, but it also helps with the tasks that come around once or twice a year. With 12-inch iLevel technology, you can get that extra boost of elevation you need to be able to reach otherwise hard-to-reach surfaces when decorating your home or office and be completely in control of how your space looks.

Parties at iLevel

Mug and cookie exchanges, ugly Christmas sweater parties and family gatherings… There’s likely to be some event or place you’ll need to attend this season. Whether there are several or few people, chances are that you’ll talk to someone at some point. When your power wheelchair is elevated at iLevel, you can enjoy face-to-face interaction with friends, family and other guests. If appetizers, food and drinks are placed on higher surfaces, no problem! If you or someone you know is hosting a get-together this holiday season, check out our article on making your holiday celebration wheelchair friendly for tips on making sure your gathering is inclusive.

Shopping at iLevel

Maybe Cyber Monday is more of your speed. Why go out and navigate crowded malls in your power wheelchair when you could stay in the comfort of your home and avoid any traffic? However, iLevel technology has changed the way motorized wheelchair users do their holiday shopping. See and be seen when riding through crowds with 12” of seat elevation whether during the Black Friday rush or grocery shopping right before that holiday party.

Baking at iLevel

There are so many delicious flavors during the holiday season. Whether it’s the flavors of fall, such as cinnamon, pumpkin, apples and cranberries, or the flavors of winter, such as peppermint, gingerbread and white chocolate, you may be wanting to do some cooking, baking or perfecting your barista skills! iLevel is also perfect for the aspiring cooks and bakers who love making winter dishes. If you are going to a cookie exchange or need to make that signature dish for a party, iLevel allows you to be able to reach your ingredients on shelves and in cabinets in your kitchen and operate the stovetop safely.

Traveling with Your Power Wheelchair

While decorating and shopping can be stressful and tiring, traveling is arguably the most stressful holiday activity. Traveling by land may not be the easiest option if the ground is covered in snow and ice. However, inclement weather also affects flights, causing delays and cancellations. In addition to those stresses, there are worries that come with flying with an electric wheelchair. Regardless of whether you are flying or driving, we recommend that you plan ahead and speak with your doctor before traveling with a power wheelchair. It is especially important to know your rights when traveling. We recommend our article on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization of 2018.