When one is healthy and active, it’s natural to forget that time and the aging process inevitably redefine a person’s lifestyle. And, as with every stage of life, the golden years pose their own unique challenges.
Prudence suggests planning for a future in which the current level of physical activity is curtailed. One might ask: What products can help me to remain safely in my own home?
It’s a question that a local business answers on a daily basis.
“We are blessed with technology that allows us to enhance our lives and not have to succumb to the limitations that come with aging,” said Steve Horner, CEO of the Home Ability Store in Jacksonville.
Horner said the store strives to empower its customers and serve the community by offering solutions for mobility, accessibility and comfort in and out of the home.
“It’s about giving people independence,” he added, “giving people the ability to live their lives to the fullest despite limitations that come up.”
The business offers a range of solutions to meet a variety of needs, but at the heart of these is the need to prevent falls.
“Falls are the single most significant threat to individuals who are aging in their home,” Horner said.
Home Ability Store specializes in six areas, including stair lifts, which help residents get up and down stairs, and lift chairs — medical-grade recliners that help lift people into a standing position. The latter is especially beneficial to people who no longer have the strength to rise from a regular recliner.
The business also carries ramps for both the interior and exterior of the home.
“For somebody who is wheelchair-bound, a 3-inch threshold can be insurmountable,” Horner said.
There are scooters and electric wheelchairs and auto lifts, which allow people to store those scooters and wheelchairs inside or mount them on the outside of their vehicle.
“It’s remarkable when you see someone who’s been mobility-impaired and the freedom that they feel when they get their first mobility aid,” Horner said.
Of course, the business carries a number of walking aids, as well as products that will help ensure that the bathroom remains safe. According to Horner, 81% of all falls happen in the bathroom.
Horner said he has seen more older people deciding to remain in their homes following the onset of COVID-19. It’s a decision that necessitates consideration of safety issues and how best to address them.
In addition to selling products that enhance mobility and accessibility, Home Ability Store also rents. This is particularly beneficial to those who might have a short-term need. It’s also helpful for younger people who would like to set up a ramp or other product in anticipation of a visit by an older relative.
Horner is enthusiastic about the mission of Home Ability Store.
“There’s no better feeling of satisfaction than helping people solve their issues,” he said.
Home Ability Store is located at 7660 Philips Highway, Suite 4, Jacksonville. The website can be found at https://www.loc8nearme.com/florida/jacksonville/home-ability-store/5934208/
