Thursday, 9 January 2014

What You Should Know Before Going To A Medical Supply Store For Home-Use Equipment

By Eugenia Dickerson


Medical equipment and supplies used in homes are able to help people with physical limitations and other conditions retain their living standards at home. However, purchasing such equipment from a medical supply store requires some knowledge. Knowing a few tips about how such supplies should be purchased may make your home a safe place for someone requiring with such special needs.

First, you should decide what you will be in need of for short-term and long-term use. Then it is easier to purchase such stuff because equipment needed for long-term use can be purchased at a lower price compared to equipment purchased for short-term use. Mostly, equipment required for patients with walking inabilities are needed for shorter periods of time and are identified as pricy.

All equipment like scooters, wheelchairs, ramps, and bed lifts have specific weight and height capacities unique to them. This weight is what the equipment is able to safely support in correspondence to the height of the patient. It is important to take the measurements of the individual who will be using the equipment with you at the time you purchase home-use medical supplies.

Have a specialist come for a visit. Work with an in-home care or rehabilitation specialist to determine what you will need when purchasing such supplies for home-use. Such specialists are able to help you understand what you require and what will be suitable for your home.

Contact your insurance provider. Discuss with them regarding your insurance coverage and whether they cover your purchases. The insurance company may cover some or, sometimes, the entire amount you spend on the equipment, based on the fact that you purchase a specific brand or from certain vendors.

Comfort is another thing to consider. Most of the time, the equipment, when used daily, may become uncomfortable to use after some time; and adding a few improvements such as an extra cushion on the seat of a wheelchair or crutch, or using a smaller sized needle with your glucose monitoring device will help a lot in easing the discomfort. Therefore, take comfort into consideration in addition to cost when choosing what types of equipment you are about to buy.

Maintaining a list is quite handy most of the time. It ca be quite helpful to you to make a list of every item needed if you are outfitting your entire home or a whole room with medical equipment for home-use. Work with someone qualified to compile a list of required items ahead of time so that you do not get overwhelmed by the options and products in the market today.

Having a professional install your equipment is a must. Most of the time, installations are quite difficult to do yourself and letting a professional do it will ensure the safety and longevity of the equipment. Therefore, it is important to go to a medical supply store that is able to refer you to a professional who can guarantee the work he does.




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