The landscape is changing. Our demographics are changing. The number of baby boomers as of 2020 stood at 73 million. The number of baby boomers crossing the threshold of 65 years of age is increasing by 10,000/day and by 2030 all boomers will be over the age of 65. There will be a huge and pressing need for all types of new and creative means of personal mobility, access, sustainability, and durability. Both existing and new manufacturers are making great strides in these areas. New manufacturers are entering the arena every day. Competition is increasing and that is generally considered a good thing.

There are many companies that are making mobility scooters today. Pride Mobility, Golden Technologies and Drive Medical are the biggest and oldest three; but there are many others. The market for scooters, electric power chairs and other mobility aids is burgeoning as boomers get older and senior citizens want to be out and more social. Add to this the increasing need and awareness in helping those that are mobility challenged to stay active and have access to the same things that we all do. Even in the case of the latter, improved and equal access is still a growing area despite 50 years of effort.

What we wanted to do in our year end blog was to discuss some of the biggest and noteworthy advancements we have seen in 2023. The speed moving forward has continued unabated; despite a cool investing environment and not as many companies rolling out products as might be seen in a typical year. Supply chains, which have hampered product development and deployment for three years, have also come back to a level of ‘normalcy.’ So, 2023 has been an interesting year. Some of the noteworthy advances we have seen have been in several areas of mobility, true air loss technology mattresses, new recliner/lift chair technology, and even a significant improvement in the bathroom.

 

Golden Technologies GB-120 Carry-On enhancements

  

Affordable Medical Equipment has been a leader in the deployment of the Golden Buzzaround GB-120 Carry-On scooter. It has been our number one item for three years running now and with good reason. The GB-120 Carry-On is versatile, durable, and transportable. It is such a staple in our stores that we took to making our own improvements this year. These improvements were based on our own observations as well as feedback from hundreds of customers that both purchase and rent these wonderful travel scooters.

First and foremost is the kickstand addition, available only at Affordable Medical Equipment. This little add-on has proven to be much more than what we envisioned. Yes, it does allow the GB-120 to stand, which customers have come to love. It saves space. What we did not anticipate was the added ease of loading and off-loading the Carry On with the kickstand attached. The kickstand translates into not having to reach so far down to load and unload the scooter.

 
 

The second and third options were also added based on our own observations and customer feedback and are EXCLUSIVELY available from Affordable Medical Equipment only. We saw so many people struggling with the trigger release. It was short so you had to pull it at a perfect angle to get the release to work. The fact it was so short also meant applying more torque to get the trigger to release. A lot of our customers are older and had trouble with that. Our inside engineering team went to work and found a solution that you will discover in the following video. The new extended trigger release has been a huge hit. The third item EXLUSIVELY from Affordable Medical Equipment is the addition of a foot-release for the battery. We both saw and heard from customers that getting the battery to release from the scooter was troublesome. We added the foot-release (also seen in the video) to make getting the battery out of the GB-120 significantly easier and when you are 80 years old ‘easy’ is good!

 
  

Pride Mobility’s Jazzy Carbon

2023 started off with the launch of the Pride Mobility Jazzy Carbon – the first carbon fiber, lightweight, fold-down power wheelchair to market. And it has impressed. We originally reviewed the Jazzy Carbon in our February 2023 blog and our enthusiasm has not waned. This chair has conquered the mountain for those with mobility issues that needed a power wheelchair that they could actually use. It represents one of not only our best in 2023, but many of our customers as well.

 
 

Prius Healthcare USA Universal Therapy System (UTS)

Last month’s blog discussed the Prius mattress systems. Here we are going to share what we are really excited about with Prius Healthcare. We are constantly reviewing new technology, watching current trends, talking to customers, and researching companies and products that we believe would enhance the lives of our customers. Early in 2023 we discovered a little-known company called Prius Healthcare. They are very well known by college and university purchasing managers across the country for their dorm room mattresses. Medline knows them well also. Medline is a major manufacturer and supplier of medical equipment and Prius manufactures many of their hospital mattresses. But Prius is still relatively unknown for their True Air Loss Mattress system, also known as a UTS. And that is what caught our attention. We have always supplied mattress solutions from basic alternating pressure mattresses to some form of low air loss but have never been completely satisfied with our offerings. We wanted something ‘next level.’ We found it in the Prius Universal Therapy System.

  

The Prius UTS is so radically different than any low air loss mattress we have seen that it is hard to know where to start. In addition to the above, the integrated pump system is part of the bed and not hanging on the frame where it can be knocked to the ground and broken. Not only is it in the bed but it is also covered with a foam pad, protecting both it and the patient. The bladders are welded with viny bladder containment straps for additional durability. The top cover is 2-way stretch vinyl, has low friction, low shear, is fluid resistant and vapor permeable. The hand pendant is easily accessible for the patient. The Prius UTS features a CPR quick release system, deflating the bed within 20 seconds of release. The big benefit of the CPR system though is it must be engaged to activate. This is unlike many beds where the CPR can be accidentally activated simply by someone walking by and brushing against it. Finally, the air cells are hard-plummed to prevent air leaks.

The purpose of an air loss mattress is to prevent and treat pressure ulcers and bedsores. Most people do not understand the difference between low air loss and True air loss mattress systems. So, we are going to take a moment to decipher the two.

  

The following video wraps everything up in a neat and tidy way. Hopefully, you can see why we are so excited about the Prius Universal Therapy System; and it does not cost thousands to own. It is very reasonably priced when compared to how expensive other True Air Loss mattresses can cost.

 
 

Golden Technologies PR-515 Twilight Recliner

There are other products that really caught our eye in 2023. Three that we had intended to cover in this article; a new Viva recliner from Pride (PLR4955), a 4-n-1 mobility chair from Miracle Mobility (4N1) and the new Journey Power Lift Toilet (08472). Unfortunately, we are about out of time on this piece. Fortunately, you can check them all out on our website for further information or, better yet, come by the store and we will be more than happy to show you each.

We would be remiss if we did not take a moment and talk about our all-time favorite. The PR-515 Twilight recliner is still top of the heap. It is our best seller in the store and a popular favorite on-line. It has been a year since we talked about the Twilight here and we could not think of a better way to wrap up 2023 than to share new innovations and why this product still has us thrilled; five years after it’s unveiling!

 
 

For one, there are a ton of new fabrics available with the Golden Twilight. A year ago, we had around ten Brisa fabrics available. Today we have 15 and the new additions are both beautiful and unique. We can match any décor! New colors include Sterling Blue, Arctic, Ranchwood, Dill, and Celery. There is also a new fabric line called ‘Tucker.’ Tucker fabric has a smooth and silky feel to it. It is wonderful. Additionally, Tucker fabric has the exclusive Stain Guard protectant.

Stain Guard protects your chair from liquid spills like coffee and wine as well as non-liquid spills like ketchup and chocolate. Tucker fiber is 100% polyester and can be cleaned with water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Tucker fabric colors are Calypso, Camel, Hazelnut, Shiraz, and Sterling. As we have always said, “Once you recline in a Golden Twilight, no other chair will do!” And we still stand by that.

From all of us at Affordable Medical Equipment and Mobility Solutions, we hope you have a blessed, joyous, and safe holiday season. Merry Christmas to all. We love you all and look forward to assisting you in 2024. www.affordablemedicalusa.com