Don't Panic If You Need a Wheelchair: Renting Outdoor Ramps with Long-Term Care Insurance

The other day, I spent two weeks talking about lifts.

Since I had discussed step-eliminators and portable stair climbers, I felt I had to write about this as well. Just as I was thinking that, I happened to see this at the entrance of the location I wrote about in my previous article (the former Asaka Imperial Residence).

Looking at past introductory articles written by others, it seems that previously, a straight ramp was placed over the step in the front, leaving the smaller step in the back. However, this one spans the entire step like a drum bridge. Excellent.

So, it's time for my usual routine: if I don't know what a product is or where it's from, I look it up immediately.

Dannai-su Roll Type [ Shikoku Co., Ltd. ]

I can't believe this product has been around since 2013. It's my own fault for not knowing about it for 10 years. I thought I was keeping an eye on new products in this field at the International Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition, but I clearly missed this one.

What's characteristic about it is that the length can be adjusted in 10cm increments.

And it can be rolled up for storage.

And what impressed me about its application is this.

The secret technique, Kintaikyo Bridge Strategy, right? A series of drum bridges. While some ingenuity is required for the middle pier section (like burying concrete blocks), the ability to adjust the length in 10cm increments really shines here. It's a useful method for when you need to flatten an area quickly in preparation for a sudden hospital discharge. I see, it's very well made.

Since I'm at it, let me introduce one more product from the same company.

L-Slope FK Hohoemi no Kakitsubata [ Shikoku Co., Ltd. ]

It is apparently read as "Hohoemi no Kakitsubata." Choosing a difficult reading is also a stroke of naming genius. After all, the goal is to be remembered.
This is a ramp with a curved section. You can choose the direction of the curve at 30°, 60°, or 90°.
Also, as a sister device, there is the Hohoemi no Asagao as well. That one has a fixed 90° curve and does not allow for adjustable installation angles.

I have an example of this. This is what it looks like when installed.

Furthermore, these portable ramps can be rented for a monthly fee as welfare equipment rental under long-term care insurance. In particular, unlike wheelchairs, there are no restrictions on ramps based on the level of care required. In other words, you can rent them even if you are at Support Level 1.
Therefore, those who are not certified as needing Care Level 2 but use wheelchairs purchased at their own expense, or those who use four-wheeled walkers, can also be accommodated (without having to go through the procedures for exceptional benefits).

Also, their lengths range from small ones around 60cm often seen at train stations, to ones up to about 2.8m. Although it requires the ability of a caregiver, they can sometimes handle height differences of up to about 70cm. However, you may need a large site area.

I have posted the application conditions in the article below, but I will post them again.

But there are cases where this won't reach the height, which is a shame, right?

It's not time to give up yet. There is a secret weapon.

Care Slope J [Caremedics Co., Ltd.]

With this landing joint, you can connect and use two ramps. Let's look at a case study.

Although there is the problem that the gate cannot be closed, the pedestrian path is secured at the stairs, so the problem of the family's movement line is also solved. This is a case that might be just right for a flag-shaped lot.

Also, at this site, another step became a problem. It is the porch in front of the entrance. Since it was one step, it was possible for the caregiver to clear the step by tipping the wheelchair to lift the front wheels, but there was a similar step under the entrance door as well. Since the upper step is not very wide, safe tipping is difficult on that side, so it becomes necessary to widen the porch.

So, we decided that we should just eliminate the step on the near side, and we decided to resolve the step through home renovation. Actually, this rental ramp also played an unexpected role during that construction.

I was wondering how to handle the so-called protective covering, and the solution was right in front of me. By the way, here is the finished result. With this, it is now possible to assist someone in a wheelchair up to the inside of the entrance.
This is how we improved the living environment by combining welfare equipment rental with home modifications.

While a step lift reduces the burden on the caregiver since it requires less physical assistance, when it comes to going out, you can often leave the assistance to the entrance to the day service transport staff.
This was just an introduction to how you can use welfare equipment for outing support, taking into account the site conditions and the status of service usage.

That earlier museum visit took an unexpected turn. It's important to try going to various places and trying new things.

Reference
Even with the same welfare equipment rental, there is also a method of using a lift instead of a ramp.