Our Story
LifeSolutionsPlus - Home Medical Equipment & Supplies Opens In Willow Street
Ed and Ruth Dunning have opened LifeSolutionsPlus, a local connection for home medical equipment and supplies, in the rear of the former Dombach Hardware store at 2850 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street. The store features a large showroom where customers can see a variety of quality products for independent living.
LifeSolutionsPlus began as an Internet-based business from the Dunnings’ home over 10 years ago.
“As a caregiver to my parents, I couldn’t find products locally to help them live independently in their own home. It soon became my mission to find quality products that actually worked,” Ruth explained. “Then, after finding products that worked for them, I wanted to find a way to share them with others who may also be in need.
” Thus, the home-based business was born. In addition to computer skills, Ed brings 27 years of corporate financial experience to the enterprise. He helped Ruth develop the business website, and the company has been adding products to the site ever since.
“Our focus for the business has always been to find those products that not only address people’s needs, but also help keep people active and doing things that are important to them. Our Internet business has grown to where we ship to all 50 states and Canada,” Ed remarked. “However, as product inventory grew, we knew we’d need to move the business out of our basement and into a store location. The perfect spot for our business became available last fall in Willow Street, so we decided to make the move.”
If a customer sees a product in the store and wants it shipped to a friend or family member, the business can do that, as LifeSolutionsPlus continues to ship Internet orders through its brick-and-mortar location.
The company’s largest product line is a collection of aids for daily living that help people perform everyday tasks like bathing, eating, and dressing. For the bathroom, the business carries Carex bath safety products, which include raised toilet seats, shower chairs, portable commodes, and grab bars. For the kitchen, large-handled utensils and scoop dishes are offered. Edema footwear, which includes socks and shoes, and dressing aids such as Sock Aids, long shoehorns, dressing sticks, elastic shoelaces, and the popular buttonhook, are available. Also stocked is an extensive line of support pillows and back support cushions.
LifeSolutionsPlus carries a unique line of home mobility devices from Stander, including the BedCane, CouchCane, and several styles of upscale bedrails, which provide style as well as function. The “Jitterbug,” an easy-to-use and affordable cell phone for seniors, is available at the store. The company also features products that make caregivers’ roles easier, such as NoRinse products like shampoo caps and bathing wipes, in addition to hospital gowns, mattress pads, and incontinence products.
Therapy products like hand and pedal exercisers, exercise pulleys, and putty help people recover from surgery, while splints, braces, and supports from FLA Orthopedics help manage and heal injuries from sports or accidents. Also, hot and cold packs are available, and the business carries the complete line of Bed Buddy packs, including herbal and plush-covered styles.
In response to another need of people in southern Lancaster County, LifeSolutionsPlus expanded its product line to include medical equipment and supplies. These include Jobst compression socks and mobility aids such as lift chairs, walkers, wheelchairs, ramps, and scooters. The company also has access to products from the largest medical suppliers in the country, such as Golden Industries, Invacare, Medline, Pride, and Drive.
LifeSolutionsPlus is accredited to meet home care needs by the Joint Commission. The business is also Medicare-certified, which adds another level to the services the Dunnings can offer. Future plans include providing educational programs for physicians and other health care facilities in the area and demonstrating the use of products.
“These programs are just another way in which we feel that we provide a valuable service to the local communities,” Ruth said. For more information, readers may visit the store Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., call (717) 464-7110, or visit www.lifesolutionsplus.com.
