Written by Mike Price, OT
What if there was a durable medical goods manufacturer as committed to innovating mobility and accessibility as you are? What about a company that understands the real empowerment that comes from simple solutions for people living with functional disabilities.
Enter Drive Medical: a new kind of medical equipment company. Drive is dedicated to “driving” the quality of life for its end users with state-of-the-art technology and industry-leading professionals.
Drive is second-to-none when it comes to mobility equipment like walkers, wheelchairs, and even power scooters. If you or the people you care for have a special mobility requirement, Drive has a solution for you. Additionally, Drive provides a complete line of general medical equipment, ranging from respirators to electrotherapy devices.
Getting a full 8-10 hours of beauty rest should be achievable (and safe) for everyone. Does keeping the person you’re caring for safe while they’re getting into and out of bed worry you? Are there considerations about incontinence care and bathing care? If yes, it might be time to consider looking at Drive’s catalog of adjustable hospital beds.
Having an adjustable hospital bed can greatly improve the quality of life for people with functional or cognitive impairment. Depending on individual needs (specific positional requirements, for example) having a hospital bed in the home can even assist with recovery from trauma.
 | Full Electric Hospital Bed with Portable and Lightweight Design - Delta Ultra-Light 1000 by Drive Medical View Product |
Ideal for lighter-duty use in the home, hospital, or long-term care facility, Drive’s Delta Ultra-Light 1000 model is a durable and easy-to-use option. It comes with a pre-installed electric motor and a backup battery source in case of power failure. The Delta also scores points for simple assembly and its crack-resistant headboard and footboard. For people who are bed-bound, a quiet and power-adjustable bed can greatly enhance autonomy and comfort.
.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "Drive Medical Lightweight Bariatric Hospital Bed") | Drive Medical Lightweight Bariatric Hospital Bed View Product |
Larger individuals can benefit from having increased space and support in a home hospital bed. With weight capacity options rated up to 1000lbs, Drive truly has a hospital bed that can fit any need. A reinforced steel frame absolutely ensures safety for the user, and quiet electric controls provide safety and comfort for the caregiver. Even for people who are not bariatric patients, having extra space and top-of-the-line durability can be beneficial.
 | Drive Medical Therapeutic 5 Zone Support Mattress View Product |
You might wonder if you truly need a specialty mattress to go along with a home hospital bed, but when you consider the special needs of individuals with mobility limitations, there are areas where a traditional mattress simply falls flat. Pressure prevention is extremely important for people who may be bedridden or severely restricted in the ways that they can move. This specific mattress offering from Drive provides superior protection from bed-sores or pressure ulcers and easy-to-clean materials. It is worth noting that it is designed extra long to accommodate larger people, so traditional sheets may not be a fit.
Moving from the bedroom, Drive Medical is also an industry leader in adaptive equipment for the bathroom. Bathing and Toileting are among the most difficult activities of daily living (ADLs) for special needs populations. The benefits of more autonomous and enjoyable hygiene activity are indisputable-- Drive has all of the products you need to set up for success.
Bathing safety and stability equipment doesn’t necessarily need to be bulky or expensive. The basic support offered by a durable, easy-to-clean shower chair can be a game-changer without breaking the bank.
Essentially, a shower chair is just a waterproof chair that can be placed into the shower or bath (shower chair is somewhat of an umbrella term for shower and bath support products). These chairs generally come specially designed with suction cups or grips to prevent slipping, and sometimes armrests or other posture supports.
Difficulty with using the bathroom is strongly correlated with severe negative impacts on health and wellbeing. Fortunately, Drive has offerings for this need as well. From adaptive toilet seats, to transfer benches and shower commodes, Drive has a full range of solutions. Some users may just need help with the knee and hip strain involved with traditional height toileting, while an easy to clean medical commode might be more appropriate for someone with more functional limitations.
 | Drive Medical All Purpose Stool with Adjustable Arms View Product |
For anyone who needs support beyond a handrail for active showering, a seat is an optimal solution. A shower chair will be non-slip and provide options depending on the level of support needed. This could be as simple as a waterproof stool. For people who can’t stand, a shower chair could allow them to bathe much more independently. This type of equipment is best suited for individuals who have some mobility and don’t need to be fully prone for bathing.
 | Drive Medical Adjustable Tub Transfer Bench with Commode - Combination Padded View Product |
A medical commode chair is a portable toilet that does not need to hook up to plumbing. Some types of commode chairs fit over an existing toilet to adjust for height. Another common design is a supportive chair with a built-in toilet seat. Usually, the opening in the seat leads to a removable container below for easy cleaning.
Because using a conventional toilet requires complex, compound movements of the lower body, many people with mobility restrictions find it to be one of the most difficult activities of daily living. A commode chair can sometimes be built into a bathtub transfer bench. For people who also need extra support with bathing activities, this eliminates the need for multiple special-purpose seats.
 | Drive Medical Splash Defense Transfer Bench with Curtain Guard Protection for Tub and Shower Transfers View Product |
One of the more troublesome aspects of bathing and bathroom activities is that hard surfaces can be dangerous, especially when slippery or wet. The most common area for falls in the house is in the bathroom, which is why, especially for complex activities like transfer, extra support is essential.
Medical transfer benches are fairly simple: half of the bench is outside of the tub, and half of it sits inside. The idea is that a person who is on the end of the bench outside of the tub can slide to the opposite end to avoid stepping over the edge. This type of product is best for patients who have some mobility on their own and would not need the full support of a patient lift.
Falls are known to be the leading cause of unintentional injury for people older than 65. Without some sort of bath mat, slipping in the shower on wet tile is almost inevitable. For people who are still able to perform most bathing activities independently, a durable, non-slip bath mat could provide some peace of mind. Add in advanced features like pressure-relieving massage zones, and you have a bath mat that people will want to use.
 | Drive Medical Bellavita Dive Lightweight Automatic Reclining Bath Lift View Product |
For people who have difficulty standing or lack the core support to sit upright for showering tasks, a bath lift is an ideal option. Essentially a bath lift is a chair designed to raise and lower out of the tub. Most lifts are remote-controlled and can be operated by the person taking a bath. This can be a huge benefit, as wellbeing is associated with increased autonomy. Check out the full range of options Drive has to offer.
Studies have shown that individuals facing mobility challenges can greatly benefit from the use of some type of mobility device(Pettersson et al., 2014). As one of the most popular providers of mobility aid equipment, Drive Medical has a solution for all users regardless of their individual level of need. Some of the different types of aids that Drive offers will be detailed below, but it's worth mentioning the Drive Medical Nitro Euro Style Rollator, which is one of their best-selling products available.
 | Drive Medical Blue Streak Wheelchair with Flip Back Desk Arms View Product |
One of the most basic and well-known mobility aids available is also one of the most versatile; Drive has a wheelchair to suit just about any need or occasion. Whether you are looking for something manual, self-propelled, foldable for storage needs, with an advanced weight-rating, or fully powered, Drive has you covered.
One option we love is the Blue Streak -- if you need a Manual style wheelchair that is sturdy and easy-to-clean, this is a great choice. It is well suited for clinical usage and folds easily for storage.
For users who lack the upper body strength for a manual self-propelled chair but would still like to have the freedom to move, a power wheelchair is a must-have. Power chairs are easy to maneuver for all types of users. With advanced features like Bluetooth electronics and controls, some of these chairs are pretty advanced-- perfect for any tech lover in your life!
It is worth considering that in some clinical settings a power chair could be cumbersome -- they tend to take up more space than the mostly collapsable manual chairs. Again, these chairs are best for people with limited arm strength or special mobility challenges that prevent them from using a traditional manual chair.
 | Sentra Bariatric Heavy-Duty Wheelchair by Drive Medical 500-Pound Weight Capacity View Product |
Bariatric Rollators are available with much higher weight-ratings than standard wheeled walkers. With extremely strong frames rated to 500lbs and up, these chairs and rollators are long-lasting and durable. Many come with heavy-duty upholstery and finish guaranteeing a long-lasting and reliable ride.
Not only will larger individuals and bariatric patients clearly benefit from a mobility product designed to support their unique challenges, but these chairs are a huge boon to caretakers as well. Patient transfer for larger individuals can be a source of strain for caretakers, nurses, and therapists. Having a reliable rollator for support is a key piece of the solution for ensuring patient and care team safety.
 | Drive Nitro Rollator - Drive Medical Euro Style Rollator Walker View Product |
Simply put, a rollator is a type of wheeled, upright walking support device. Many models have the basic frame of a traditional walker, but are equipped with wheels to alleviate the need for lifting.
Euro-Style rollators have larger front wheels for navigation over rugged terrain and a more comfortable contoured back support. Add in other great features like increased ease of storage with foldable frames, a seat for when the user is not in motion, and a removable zippered storage bag, and you have quite a versatile mobility device.
 | Drive Medical Deluxe 3-Wheel Aluminum Rollator View Product |
For individuals living in smaller spaces, a three-wheeled walker or rollator might actually be preferable. For once, the three-wheeled walkers have a tighter turning radius by design. This can be good for older houses with narrow doorways or halls. Three-wheeled units are also lighter, which can be a benefit as well.
 | Drive Medical Bariatric Aluminum Transport Chair View Product |
Transport chairs are designed specifically for a caretaker to push. These chairs do not have a self-propel mechanism, and are for patients who don’t need that functionality.
Drive makes an extremely durable and high-quality transport chair. By using the strongest materials and utilitarian design, Drive can provide a transport wheelchair that will be sufficient for any patient or need. Securely locking wheels and padded supports make transport safe and comfortable for caretakers and patients alike.
When you find a manufacturer whose values line up with yours, it’s a good feeling. Drive is as committed as you are to being a driving force for good-- in the lives of individuals with mobility challenges and all sorts of special needs. To see all of Drive’s products including Oxygen Concentrators, Crutches, Canes, Nebulizers, and tons more check out all of RehabMart’s Drive Medical Products).
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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