Retailers’ Choice Mobility accessories and power add-ons

Mobility accessories and power add-ons

Wondering which mobility accessories and power add-ons are grabbing mobility companies’ attention? Each month, retailers in the mobility industry highlight one product that has stood out for them and why…

Retailer’s Choice: Empulse R20 Powerpack by Sunrise Medical

“The standard wheelchair powerpack has been around for many years, and is a popular choice for our clients. However the Empulse R20 Powerpack overcomes the obstacle of folding a wheelchair with the powerpack attached.

“It has a lithium battery making it extremely lightweight, at less than 5kg.

“With a maximum load of 190kg and covering seat widths of 320mm-600mm it is compatible with a wide variety of manual wheelchairs, including tilt-in-space. It’s really simple to use and has a handy display showing the speed and battery gauge.

“The R20 can even remain in situ if the user wants to self-propel.

“We’ve been really impressed by this model of powerpack and hopefully it will be a good product for the upcoming summer season.”

www.classicmobility.co.uk Lauren Bromfield Director of Classic Mobility

Retailers’ Choice: Buckingham Walking Frame Caddy by NRS Healthcare

“At Ableworld we understand the importance of living independently within your own home, and so we aim to provide convenient products that customers need in order to overcome any difficulty.

“The Buckingham walking frame caddy is a handy plastic household caddy which helps with moving items around the home for any users who require a walking frame to walk with.

“The caddy simply clips onto a regular walking frame, allowing the user to carry items around the home with ease, and most importantly, allowing the user to concentrate on walking.

“It has a divided space that can separate items, and a removable plastic tray that is large enough to hold a standard sized dinner plate and a mug holder. The tray can also be used to support food on the users lap too, aiding easy transfer from standing up to sitting down. The caddy is dishwasher safe, ensuring that it can easily be kept clean between uses.

“The functions for the Buckingham caddy are endless – it is handy for all household items, including bottles, plates, books and telephone.

“In our stores we receive great feedback about this product from users and their family members too, stating that it helps hugely with various kinds of independence around the home- which we feel is the most important benefit a product can give.”

www.ableworld.co.uk Ellie Emerton Senior Marketing Manager at Ableworld

Retailers’ Choice: Deluxe Lined Scooter Bag from Homecraft

“There are many bags specifically designed for mobility scooters but the Homecraft Deluxe Lined Scooter Bag has to be one of the best, and one of our most popular.

“This bag is stylish and efficient and has a lot of room for plenty of shopping and essentials, such as a mobile phone, purse or wallet.

“There are many features that you would normally only find on premium bags, such as the two large, zipped pockets on the outside of the bag, and a long elasticated pocket where a walking stick, or collapsible umbrella, can be safely stored, ensuring that it is always close at hand when on the move.

“There are also two interior pockets – a small one which is ideal for storing valuables like wallets and purses and a larger one for other essential items.

“The bag has a strong zip to the main compartment, ensuring that items inside remain secure, dry and safe.

“The Homecraft Deluxe Lined Scooter Bag is waterproof and made from durable polyester, which can be simply wiped clean.

“The bag itself is easily fixed to the back of a seat on a scooter using the adjustable straps. There are also rubber feet on the bottom, allowing the bag to be put onto wet surfaces, without the actual material of the bag getting wet.

“This bag is one of our most popular items and the bag we always recommend to customers enquiring for a strong, sensibly priced bag for their mobility scooter.”

abilitysuperstore.co.uk Julia Phipps Owner of The Ability Superstore

Retailers’ Choice: SmartDrive MX2+ with Apple Watch from Permobil

“The Smartdrive has been around for so many years now. It has undergone a few changes but like all great Permobil products they are never complacent in standing still. Some would ask, why re-develop a product when sales haven’t dropped off?

“The real reason is because Permobil products are always customer focused, with such a huge online presence in forums and social media groups.

Darren Macey Business Development Manager at Lifestyle and Mobility

“It’s so important that they continue to redevelop this product and offer new and exciting reasons to upgrade. We are so pleased that the SmartDrive is now fully compatible with the Apple Watch. This is a huge advantage compared to the E2 and E3 smartwatch due to the fantastic battery in the Apple Watch.

“This also means that the user no longer needs to chose between wearing their Apple Watch or the Push Tracker watch, they simply have one watch that does it all.

“Manual wheelchair users push their chairs thousands of times per day, which can lead to serious repetitive shoulder strain injuries. The SmartDrive MX2+ with AppleWatch is literally one tap and off you go!

“The reason we love the SmartDrive so much is because it empowers an active lifestyle. It supplements the energy that would have normally been used and allows the user to live more independently and have more energy for other daily activities.”

www.lifestyleandmobility.co.uk

Retailers’ Choice: Wheelchair Powerpack Plus from TGA Mobility

“From fashion to function and performance to preference, there are a great many add-ons and accessories for mobility products around Alastair Gibbs now. Managing

“Our regular Director of TPG enhancement DisableAids when the carer is struggling to push their loved one in a manual wheelchair is the Wheelchair Powerpack Plus from TGA Mobility.

“It is available in a number of versions depending on the user’s weight and the terrain to be covered, but all are easily detached to allow transport in a standard car boot and at a weight that is manageable for most.

“It has often been emulated but is rarely beaten in terms of adaptability, durability and quality. It is certainly a viable alternative to going for a Class 2 powerchair that becomes a more difficult transport problem.”

tpg-disableaids.co.uk

Retailers’ Choice: Mobility scooter canopies from Vinyl Value

“Although we are now heading towards the summer there will still be rainy days and a good way for mobility users to still use their scooter is to have a canopy fitted. The range from Vinyl Value includes Standard, Deluxe, All Window and Polycarbonate. There are several colours to choose from.

“The Standard canopies are manufactured in 600 PVC- backed fabric with large, zippered roll up doors on both sides of the canopy for easy access either side. These doors have attachments at the top for keeping the door up if desired. With full windows at the back and the front, and window panels either side, visibility is not impaired, and scooter lights are still visible for use at night.

“Deluxe style canopies are manufactured in 840 PVC backed nylon, have the doors at the side but have the added advantage of a roll up back window too, allowing for access to batteries or bags at the rear of the scooter.

“All Window canopies are the same as the Deluxe style but manufactured with clear vinyl all round apart from the roof which can be made in any of the Deluxe fabric colours.

“Polycarbonate-style canopies are the top-of-the-range canopy. Manufactured with a rigid 2mm polycarbonate front screen, which is delivered riveted onto the framework, this canopy offers all the same benefits as the other styles, but with increased protection from the outside elements.

“The screen also comes with UV protection. Made from 840 PVC backed nylon, with doors at the side and back.” www.peoplefirstmobility.co.uk Karen Sheppard Managing Director of People First Mobility

Retailers’ Choice: Waterproof clothing range from Kozee Komforts

“As we approach the summer, in our country we aren’t always guaranteed the sunshine especially in our neck of the woods in Scotland. For wheelchair and scooter users this can become a challenge to stay dry if they are out in the rain.

“At Thistle Help we supply a wide range of protective waterproof clothing to keep customers warm and dry in all weathers. There is a wide range on the market but we stock the waterproof range from Kozee Komforts as it comes in different colours and sizes. The quality of the products is good and priced reasonably.

“The range for wheelchair users includes ponchos, full head-to-toe covers, cosy toes, sleeves and arm protectors.

“The scooter range includes a variety of protective clothing whilst still allowing the end user to freely move around to operate the scooter. Also available are scooter covers to protect the scooter from the elements if left outside for a short period of time.

“This range of waterproof clothing is very popular and they make ideal gifts for people who have everything.

“We hope to have a nice summer with lots of sunshine but at least our customers are prepared if we get four seasons in one day.”

www.thistlehelp.co.uk

Laura Hays Director of Thistle Help