Comfort Discovered The Assistive Technology Specialists

18/09/2023

This is a season of freshness, new life, and hope! As we welcome spring, let us examine what we can do with a renewed dedication that will have a positive impact on our health and wellbeing. Spring is a great season to be out and about, taking advantage of the pleasant weather and embracing mobility.

Walking for Better Health: Walking is an excellent way to enhance overall health. It benefits our muscles, bones, joints, circulation, heart, lungs, digestion, bowels, and mind. However, it's important to consider the risk of falls, which is the number one mobility problem that older people experience.

Walking Aids: There are plenty of solutions that can help us enjoy walking this season. Walking sticks, for example, are a valuable tool for individuals with painful joints. They come in a variety of models and types, including folding ones, quad sticks, ultra-light carbon fiber walking sticks, and even ones with umbrellas or glowing gel handles. There are walking frames (Zimmer frames), which provide greater support than walking sticks. Another option is seat walkers or rollators, which generally come with a seat and four wheels, providing a versatile and convenient walking aid.

Finding the Right Walking Aid: It's important to select the right walking aid that suits your needs and budget. There are different types of walkers, to suit different bodies with different seat height, handle height, seat width, wheel size, brake types, baskets, designs, and more. It's crucial to find a walking aid that not only supports your mobility but also reflects your personality and taste. An experienced AT Specialist or an Occupational Therapist can assist you in finding the most suitable walking aid that will motivate you to walk more and enhance your overall wellbeing.

So what is holding you back this spring? Take advantage of the season, explore our range of walking aids, and let's prioritize your mobility and wellbeing!

09/08/2023

18/07/2023

A pedal exerciser can offer several benefits to seniors during the winter season. Here are some advantages:
Physical activity: Winter often brings colder temperatures and unfavorable weather conditions that can make it challenging for older adults to engage in outdoor physical activities. A pedal exerciser provides a convenient and accessible way to maintain physical activity levels despite the weather. It allows older individuals to exercise from the comfort of their own home, ensuring they can stay active and improve their cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility.
Joint mobility: Regular use of a pedal exerciser can help improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness by promoting gentle movement and circulation in the legs and lower body.
Muscle strength: Maintaining muscle strength is crucial for older adults to perform daily tasks, prevent falls, and maintain overall independence. Pedal exercisers provide resistance that allows individuals to strengthen their leg muscles without putting excessive strain on their joints.
Blood circulation: Using a pedal exerciser promotes blood flow throughout the lower body, helping to warm up the muscles and increase circulation.
Mental well-being: Engaging in regular exercise with a pedal exerciser can help combat feeling of isolation by boosting mood, reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting a sense of accomplishment. The endorphins released during exercise can have a positive impact on mental well-being, helping to combat winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
A pedal exerciser is quite convenient and safe. However, it’s important to note that older individuals should consult with their healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine, including the use of a pedal exerciser, to ensure it is safe and appropriate for their specific health condition and fitness level.

01/05/2023

Make this Mother’s Day celebration memorable, appreciating and rewarding the independence, dignity and mobility of your loved ones. Here are some recommendations.
Jar Opener: Starting from $9.95, this will fit most budget and is certain to enhance the convenience of the recipient.
Hany Bar: The Handy Bar offers support and protects from falls by allowing the user to stand safely from their vehicle
Rise Recliner: is ideal to sit down and relax comfortably while providing the most important task of assistance in getting out of the chair gently by the push of a button. The chair can recline and become as flat as a bed with a feather touch. Depending on the model, you can have independent lift, recline, lumbar support, head rest etc. in a wide range of sizes, colours, styles and materials. Its highly recommended to select one that has genuine warranty, back up battery supply and local support.
If you like to consider a state-of-the-art solution, Sofi Hub is the choice. It is a digital concierge, with time-based spoken reminders that do not require any computer literacy and without any compromise of the data. If you are after the most practical, helpful and life style gift, an electric bed with a suitable mattress is the way to go. A motorised mobility, such as a scooter or power chair are always the all-time favourite.

05/04/2023

We wish that you get a good break during this Easter Holidays!
We are closed on Public Holidays! Welcome to our Showroom on Saturday 8th April!

29/03/2023

Share with your loved ones my article on "Falls Prevention" that was published in the latest issue of Sydney Observer. This one-minute- read can prevent a fall.

Falls can happen to anyone. But it is a common problem to older people. Healthy ageing must involve a fall prevention strategy. This will entail paying attention to and dealing with poor eyesight and hearing, bad balance, weak limbs and much more. Attend to any of the existing medical or mobility issues. Address your personal worries about a potential fall or just being fearful about falling even if you did not have a fall in the past.
The next step is to ensure that your surroundings are as safe as possible. This would mean that your home, garden and immediate surroundings should be free of any potential hazards and any structural hazards. Sufficient lighting is very important. It is vital to remove any cause for tripping and slipping and to wear appropriate footwear. I am amazed to see how easily people neglect this and end up in a hospital.
Mayo Clinic presents the following 6 steps falls-prevention strategy:
1. Making an appointment with your doctor
2. Keep moving
3. Wear sensible shoes
4. Remove home hazards
5. Light up your living space
6. Use assistive devices
Your doctor might recommend using a cane or walker to keep you steady. Other assistive devices, for example, grab rails in your shower or a raised toilet seat will help. If you're concerned about the cost, remember that an investment in falls prevention is an investment in your independence.

02/03/2023

Read my current article in "The Post" March 2023 issue:

I asked ChatGPT, (a large language model developed by OpenAI, to provide useful and accurate information to users in a conversational format online) to help me select a wheelchair for one of my elderly family members. It directed me to a list of useful points such as user’s needs, comfort, maneuverability, portability, cost, etc. As an equipment Specialist, I am going to enumerate a few more important areas to consider.
If the user has complex needs, it is essential to consult your local Occupational Therapist or a Physio Therapist who is trained to prescribe the right equipment. If that is not the case, give these points some thought:
1. Self-propelled or Attendant propelled? Is the user able enough to self-propel?
2. Weight of the user: It is vital that the chosen device is capable of meeting the safe working weight.
3. Seat width is critical while considering comfort and convenience.
4. Then check seat height, seat depth, and height of the back support
5. Brakes for the user as well as the attendant
6. Weight of the wheelchair. Is it light enough to lift and put in the boot of the car?
7. Pressure care. Does the user require pressure care in terms of special cushions, or the functionality of Tilt in Space, to provide extra pressure management?
Wheelchairs with various styles and colors are available. Electric wheelchairs are becoming more common and affordable, and their stunning traits offer independence and freedom for even the most challenged. I am sure next time you check with ChapGPT it would have updated its knowledge base. After checking with your GP, ChatGPT or Google do come and have a chat with your local AT Specialists at www.comfortdiscovered who will help you select the appropriate equipment.

18/02/2023

7 questions to ask before you buy a mobility scooter! Read my article in The Post's latest issue
1. Is it a Power Chair or Mobility Scooter? This will depend on several factors and mostly on the physical ability of the user and where it is intended to be used. A power chair would be ideal for indoor use.
2. Size and Portability: Do you require the scooter to be a portable one?
3. Three or four wheels? Four wheels ensure more stability whereas three wheel has shorter turning circle.
4. Compliance with Australian Standards: Its important that you buy one from your local supplier who ensures that the unit complies with the strict Australian Standards for quality.
5. Warranty and Back Up Service: Like your car, a scooter has to be backed up with a strong warranty and technical support. Battery is another important element in the selection.
6. Features: Do you want a Luggage carrier, a canopy, a USB Charger etc?
7. Test Drive: You must test drive the scooter before you buy.

18/02/2023

Its time to act on some of your new year resolutions. Explore new opportunities. We are hiring to expand our team. While you enjoy doing what you like, you will be helping wonderful people to live their life with mobility, dignity and independence.
Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Students, Marketing Executive, Communication Executive, Retails Sales Team..

Get in touch rejimon@comfortdiscovered.com.au. Mob 0421 430746. Find detailed listed on seek https://lnkd.in/ggXNPD5g

28/11/2022

Comfort Discovered The Assistive Technology Specialists held the popular AT Education and Training Session for Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists on "How to customize and script a Rise Recliner".
Michelle Grech from Oscar Furniture visited our Hornsby showroom to meet with local OTs and Physios. It was an informative session on the features available with this Rise Recliner which would fit into a lounge room or living room with the benefits of making it easier to get out of the chair, as well as, sizing, comfort and ease of use.
Visit the Comfort Discovered showroom at Hornsby to see the Oscar furniture range and more.
Look out for these AT Education and Training sessions in the new year.

14/11/2022

For OTs and Physios, there is an AT Seminar on "How to customise & script Rise Recliners".

Rise Recliners make such a difference for people who find it difficult to get out of a chair or who sit for a long time. The range of recliners being showcased at Comfort Discovered have the new technology plus are comfortable and look like a piece of furniture.

You will earn 2 CPD points for attending.

These sessions are run at the training room at Comfort Discovered, book in and meet the friendly team.

AT Education and Training - this session is discussing Rise Recliners. The features and benefits of these specially designed Recliners.

10/11/2022

Was that too big, too small, too short? How often you longed that you could adjust a rise recliner to suit your client? Here’s an opportunity to learn how. Learn from the expert Michelle Grech, of Oscar Furniture. We are running a short hands-on training on how to script a rise recliner and to adjust the Oscar Modular rise recliner. Very limited seats. Find details and secure your seat now! https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/at-education-seminar-how-to-customise-script-rise-recliners-tickets-428978475167