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It seems that lately, there are always changes to our Social Security. It can be hard to keep up with what is new, and when you have a question, it can be difficult to reach anyone by phone. Most of the time, when you need to speak to someone at the Social Security office, you need to make an appointment to meet in person. Many people understand that before they go to the Social Security office, they should plan to be there for some time. That is why we have researched some of the most frequently asked questions and answers pertaining to Social Security and aging adults. We hope this will be more convenient for you. 

What is the maximum Social Security retirement benefit payable? 

Depending on the age you choose to retire will determine the amount of money you receive from Social Security. If people do not have other income coming in to support themselves, they may choose to work as long as possible. So, let’s say you decide to retire at your full retirement age of 70 in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $4,194. However, if you retire early at 62, your maximum benefit is significantly less at $2364. When ready to retire, you can go to the Social Security website and fill out the online retirement application. The application will let you know how much you put into your social security accounts over the years and calculate your payment based on when you choose to retire. It will give you a good idea on whether you should continue working or if you can afford to retire early. The retirement application is considered the easiest and most efficient way to apply for your retirement benefits. 

How do I earn Social Security credits, and how many are needed to qualify for benefits? 

The Social Security Administration uses your total yearly earnings to determine your Social Security credits. In 2022, the amount needed for credit is $1,510. You are allowed four credits for any year. As average wages increase, the amount needed will also increase, so you might want to check this figure every few years. You must earn a certain number of credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. The number of credits needed depends on the type of benefit you apply for and your age. No one needs more than 40 credits to receive their Social Security benefit. 

What earning types have special rules? 

Usually, Social Security earnings are calculated the same way for most Americans that worked throughout their life. However, there are some types of earnings that have additional rules. The earning types with special rules include the following: 

  • Farm Work 
  • Federal Government Housing 
  • Household Employment 
  • Military Service 
  • Nonprofit or Religious Organizations 
  • Railroad Earnings 
  • Self-Employment 
  • State and Local Government Employment Wages 
  • Work Outside the United States 

How important is it to monitor your earnings? 

If you want to be sure you receive all the money entitled to you when you are due to receive your Social Security benefits, you should be keeping up with exactly how much you are paid each paycheck and recording it. If your employer did not correctly report just one year of your work earnings to Social Security, your future payment could be almost $100 per month less than what it is supposed to be. 

We hope providing some Social Security answers helps clarify specific issues you may have been concerned about in your retirement. At Next Day Access, we care about our customers. Our goal is for each of our customers to live safely and independently at home as they age. While we do not work as benefit analysts, we offer many products like wheelchair ramps, scooters, vehicle lifts, and more to keep you safe and remain in your home as you age. Please do not hesitate to contact your nearest Next Day Access if you have questions or would like to schedule an in-home consultation. 

Scams targeting aging adults are getting more creative. According to Amy Nofziger, AARP’s director of fraud victim support, “Scammers stay on top of whatever is new, such as the popularity of Zoom, Covid-19 vaccines, and online shopping. They then move fast to create ploys that best fit the moment.”

No one wants to see an aging loved one become the victim of fraud. It is essential that you are aware of potential scams and make sure the aging adult in your life does not fall victim to one. Here are a few of the top scams currently targeting aging adults: 

Fake Online Shopping Websites 

These online shops look more accurate today than ever since they use photos from real online shops. The scammers copy the original site’s look to trick your loved one into believing they are buying things from their favorite site. They are left without any items being delivered or a lower quality item being delivered. If your loved one has a website, they enjoy shopping from, advise them to check the online reviews or the Better Business Bureau’s online directory to ensure the site is legitimate. 

Scam Text Messages 

In this scam scenario, the fraudsters are texting aging adults urgent messages claiming something is wrong with their bank account, credit card, or phone service. They are then asking for personal information such as account numbers, social security numbers, pin codes, or more so they can steal your loved one’s identity. Many aging adults do not expect scams to come from text messages, but it has become one of the most popular ways for scammers to target these communities. 

Fake Prescription Drugs 

Aging adults consume about one-third of all prescription drugs in the United States. Your aging loved one could receive an email claiming that a company can offer them their medicine at a lower price. The people sending these emails often try to get your loved one’s insurance information and credit card number. They then will send placebo pills. Also, many pharmacies now offer drop-off services. Your loved one needs to be sure they trust their pharmacy, many pharmacies will not replace your loved one’s medicine if it is not delivered, yet this primarily pertains to medicine that is a controlled substance. Regardless, make sure your aging loved one is vigilant about going through their doctors for their medicine, and if they cannot pick up their medicine on their own, they need to send someone they trust. 

These are just a few of the scams out there today. It is highly beneficial if you keep watch over aging adults to ensure they avoid being taken advantage of. 

In Memphis, Tennessee, beside the Mississippi River sits a bluff that has always been difficult for people with limited mobility to navigate. The bluff has a set of stairs that leads down to Riverside Drive and Tom Lee Park. This park is a great place to see beautiful sunrises and sunsets across the river. The park most recently received an excellent upgrade with many new features.  

According to the Memphis Flyer, The Carlisle Corporation is bringing ADA access from the bluff in downtown Memphis to the riverfront at Tom Lee Park. The Carlisle Corporation has made a $1.5 million investment into the first Americans-with-Disabilities – accessible walkway from a bluff to a riverfront. 

The new path will be named Carlisle Cutbank Bluff to memorialize the late Gene Carlisle. The Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) says this is the first time in Memphis history that commercial development has been connected to the riverfront. Tyree Daniels, board chair at MRPP, says, “The Carlisle Cutbank Bluff represents the partnership’s commitment to easy, equitable access to the new park.” He continues by saying, “This beautiful new feature makes it so much easier and more fun to move between Downtown and the riverfront. It means that visitors will find it much easier to get from upstairs on Main Street down to the river in a more equitable way, and we couldn’t be more excited about this achievement, but also making this available for our community.” 

Chance Carlisle, CEO of Carlisle LLC, said, “Two things really hit home for us, the ability to provide the first of its kind ADA accessibility to the park, and for the last 40 or 50 years, with the exception of maybe a month or so in May (during the Beale Street Music Festival) Tom Lee Park was sort of an afterthought, rather than a signature riverfront. It’s hard to be a great riverfront city without an excellent front door, and what Memphis River Parks has done, along with all of the donors is really give Memphians a park that we can be proud of, for all of Memphis.” 

At Next Day Access, we are always thrilled when we see communities come together to help people with limited mobility interact with their communities better. Our mission at Next Day Access is very similar. Our goal is to provide anyone with limited mobility with the products they need to live a safer and more independent lifestyle. We offer several products to assist, including wheelchair ramps, vehicle lifts, wheelchairs, scooters, grab bars, in-home elevators, and more. If we can help improve your quality of life, we urge you to contact your nearest Next Day Access. We are happy to answer any questions and even schedule an in-home consultation.  

If you have limited mobility and your home has a porch only accessible by stairs, you might consider investing in a porch lift. If your porch goes directly into your home, you could find a porch lift much more accessible to maneuver than a wheelchair ramp. There are many reasons people with limited mobility prefer a porch lift.  

What is a wheelchair porch lift? 

A porch lift is similar to a vertical platform lift. A porch lift is a machine used to elevate a wheelchair from one level to another. The difference between a porch lift and a vertical platform lift is that a porch lift is usually found outside and gives users access to a deck or porch.

The lift can travel a short distance vertically, and then it may travel a few feet horizontally. You can find them battery-operated or with a motor that powers the platform up and down. If it is battery operated, it has a lever, and if it is motorized, you can go up and down with the push of a button. 

So why do many people opt for a porch lift? Here are a few reasons: 

3 Reasons to Invest in a Wheelchair Porch Lift

Porch lifts are space efficient

Porch lifts generally require a 5’ by 5’ area regardless of how high it rises. The Americans with Disabilities Act has guidelines set in place for wheelchair ramps. The guidelines help builders determine a good reference point from ramp slope and length. The guidelines specify that every inch of a rise requires a foot of ramp length. So, most people save ample space by installing a porch lift versus a wheelchair ramp.  

With a wheelchair ramp, there is also more maintenance and cleaning. Every structure requires maintenance, even the porch lift, yet with a wheelchair ramp, you will need to factor in the weather and its elements more.  

Porch lifts are a great safety solution

When you use a qualified installation team, such as Next Day Access, we ensure the ramp is made code specific. Every region has a code specific to its area that governs the use and construction of lifts.

The codes might include ensuring there is a solid flush gate at the top of the landing, a cement pad that anchors the lift, a dedicated 20-amp power supply nearby, and a smooth pathway to the lift. Our installation team handles each step to ensure your lift is as safe as possible. 

Also, most lifts come with sensors or a safety pin that keep the lift from lowering if there is anything below the platform. The lift will also not function if it has slippery debris, such as leaves or branches, on the lift.  

The porch lift gives its user more independence

With a porch lift, people with limited mobility can use the lift independently. If they can press a button, the user does not have to depend on a caretaker to get them to ground level. The user can come and go with a porch lift as they please. 

If you think a porch lift is right for you, please do not hesitate to contact your nearest Next Day Access. We have an assortment of porch lifts and will be sure to set up an in-home consultation where we can help you determine the right make and model for your home.  

Next Day Access Expands into the Greater Oklahoma City Area to Bring Accessibility and Mobility Solutions to Local Communities.

Next Day Access is pleased to announce the opening of Next Day Access Oklahoma City. The franchise location, provider of residential and commercial accessibility and mobility solutions, is owned by husband and wife David and Angelia Goss.

David and Angelia Goss are managing partners of Next Day Access Oklahoma City. Before becoming a business owner, David started his professional career as a mechanical engineer working as a government civilian in the United States Air Force, managing the plant and equipment at the Tinker Air Force base. He also furthered his education with a Master’s in Business Administration; David retired from the Air Force with 34 years of service. Angelia has been a nurse for 30 years. She retired as a full-time nurse three years ago and is currently an adjunct skills/clinical instructor. Once they open, Angelia will be fully immersed in her new role as a managing partner and will be focusing on the business development side. 

The idea of opening an accessibility business sparked when he and his wife became caretakers for Angelia’s father, which resulted in modifying their home. David renovated their bathroom himself to create a safer space for his father-in-law and a more efficient, accessible space for themselves as caretakers. With his mechanical engineering and managerial background, David felt opening a Next Day Access franchise was the right fit.

“Everyone we’ve met at Next Day Access has been great to work with and has made us feel comfortable during this process,” said David. “We’re excited to open and begin helping people by providing mobility solutions.”

The Next Day Access Oklahoma City location will provide a wide range of accessibility and mobility solutions for residential and commercial customers. From aluminum wheelchair ramps to bathroom modifications, the Oklahoma City team has the knowledge and skills to help create a safer and more accessible environment. 

To learn more about Next Day Access Oklahoma City, click here.

It is that time of year when many pool companies are overwhelmed with business as people begin closing their pools for the season. If you have a residential or commercial pool lift, it’ll need to be closed for the season so that the weather elements do not cause any damage to the lift.  

What is a pool lift? 

A pool lift is mobility equipment. There are portable, stationary, battery-powered, and more types of lifts. The lifts are designed to lower a person with limited mobility into a pool. The user sits in a chair that acts as a transfer bench. Using a motor, the chair swivels to a position that puts the user in the pool and then later lifts the person from the pool. 

The pool lift requires routine maintenance and care. Having a maintenance and cleaning routine for your pool lift ensures that the equipment remains in good working condition. 

During the summer, when the lift is being used often, it should be inspected for missing or loose hardware. The battery should be functioning properly with an adequate charge, and it would be best if it was also rinsed daily with fresh water. 

You should wash all the components with mild soap and fresh water each week. You may also need to use a soft brush to remove rust or staining. The pool lift comes with an actuator tube. We recommend that you put the tube in its fully extended position so that you can clean the entire tube. Remember, most of these components are coming into proximity, and some pieces fully emerged into harsh chemicals, like chlorine. 

To maintain the lift’s structural integrity, do a monthly corrosion inspection. If you notice any components show excessive corrosion, contact Next Day Access so we can get you replacement parts. 

Once you close the pool and the lift, you should keep the lift’s battery charged. If you allow the battery to deplete fully, you could damage the battery. We also recommend that you have a spare battery so that one can be charged if the other one is in use. Keep in mind that temperature extremes can also affect battery performance and lifespan. The batteries should be kept in a temperature-controlled environment. It is also critical that the controller terminals and battery are kept clean to ensure they are making electrical contact. 

At Next Day Access, we provide several types of pool lifts and are happy to answer any questions you have about pool lift maintenance. The lifts are a significant investment, so you will want to be sure they are looked after properly. If you are looking for a pool lift, we encourage you to contact us for an in-home consultation. We can help you determine the perfect lift for your pool. 

On July 26, 2022, people with limited mobility celebrated the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The anniversary is still a source of pride and hope, but it does bring up the question, why are there still inaccessible businesses? Business accessibility is as relevant today as it was years ago. 

A recent article in Forbes magazine written by Andrew Pulrang has this excerpt, “Accessibility is still treated like some kind of premium feature rather than a civic responsibility for businesses or a civil right for customers.” 

Here are some tips on how you can improve your business’s accessibility. 

Make sure parking and entering your building is convenient. 

People with limited mobility who drive are far more likely to shop or eat somewhere when there is handicap parking available. Ensure the designated parking spaces are clearly labeled and at least 8 feet wide. You should also invest in a commercial wheelchair ramp. Seeing a ramp shows customers that you want them there, and that accessibility is a priority to you. At Next Day Access, we offer a variety of commercial ramps.  

Make sure inside the business you have wide pathways. 

People with limited mobility need more space to move. They will need enough room to walk, wheel, stop, and turn around without hitting tables or display shelves. Having an area that is cluttered and tight makes the business feel uncomfortable, even for patrons not using a wheelchair. Your layout matters as much as your décor. 

Make sure restrooms are accessible for wheelchairs. 

If you are hoping your customers stay for more than 30 minutes, you need to have an accessible restroom. Even if the restroom only holds one person at a time, ensure it is wide enough for a wheelchair to make turns. You should also have grab bars installed and a sink where a wheelchair can easily slide underneath so the user can reach the faucets. You can find durable and contemporary grab bars at Next Day Access.  

When you make your business more accessible, your reputation and the number of customers increase. People with limited mobility remember the places in town where they can get around more easily and feel welcome. Next Day Access can help you find the best commercial ramps, grab bars, railings, and more.

Next Day Access offers custom curved and straight stairlifts to meet the needs of our customers. Our stairlifts help you comfortably and confidently move safely from ground level to the next level, all while aging in place.

How do stairlifts work?

A stairlift helps people with limited mobility get safely from the ground floor to the second floor. It is basically a chair that travels along a track or rail that has been mounted to a staircase. The stairlift requires connection to a 13-amp socket.

If there is not one in the vicinity of the staircase you can hire an electrician to install one. Since they are mounted to the rail or track, they are compatible with most staircases. It does not matter if the staircase has walls or banisters on either side.Stair Lifts In

What if I lose power?

Since our stairlifts are also battery-powered, there is a battery at either the top or bottom of the stairs. The stairlift will be charging anytime it is not in use. When you experience a power outage, your fully charged stairlift will continue to run several trips before needing to be charged again.

What is the weight capacity of a stairlift?

You can purchase heavy-duty lifts with a weight capacity of up to 600 pounds. These lifts will also have a comfortable chair to suit the user. The standard stairlift weight capacity is generally 300 to 350 pounds. The seats on the standard lift are also designed to be comfortable.

My staircase is curved, and complicated-will a stairlift still fit?

For a large majority of homes, yes, the stairlift will fit. Now, if you have narrow or rounded stairs, they may not fit a stairlift, but we can try to find a solution that works for your home. If you have stairs with curved on the end, we can provide you with a curved stairlift.

We determine how to design your stairlift by coming to your home and taking a photo survey with a 3-D camera. The images are then sent to the manufacturer to construct your custom railing.

If I only need a stairlift for a short time, can I rent one from Next Day Access?

We understand that there are many reasons you could need a stairlift for a short time. Maybe you have a temporary injury, or a relative or friend visiting that will need to use a stairlift. Unfortunately, curved stairlifts are unavailable since they are custom-made, but you can rent a straight stairlift.

Stairlifts from Next Day Access are available in various models and styles, so you can easily find one that matches your style and budget. Our stairlifts are elegantly crafted and can meet the needs of all sizes. Contact your nearest Next Day Access if you have more questions about stairlifts or if you would like to schedule an in-home consultation

Next Day Access is pleased to announce the opening of its Next Day Access Kansas City. The franchise location, provider of residential and commercial accessibility and mobility products, is owned by April Springer, Chris Bakalars, and Carl Loge.

Bakalars, a veteran of the US Army, and Loge, a multi-faceted business owner, bring nine years of experience together in the Next Day Access business. Along with their newest location in Kansas City, they have locations in Minneapolis and Pittsburgh. Springer joined Next Day Access Minneapolis in 2020 as their Operations Manager and has been substantial in the business’ growth. 

Springer now joins Bakalars and Loge as a partner in Next Day Access Kansas City. The three are excited to expand their business to reach and help more people in need of accessibility products in the Kansas City area.

“Joining Next Day Access was a new industry and career for me. I have always wanted to own a business and provide a service that helps others,” said Springer. “Starting in an operational role in the company really helped me understand the infrastructure needed to succeed in this enterprise. My business partners know and have experienced much of it already themselves. I wouldn’t be where I am without them or the other owners and partners in this industry I’ve met along the way.”

Learn more about Kansas City Next Day Access.

About Kansas City Next Day Access

Next Day Access is a leading provider for accessibility and mobility solutions for homes and commercial businesses. With franchise locations across the United States and Canada, their goal is to help aging loved ones and people with limited mobility and disabilities live safely, comfortably, and independently in their homes. Learn more by visiting www.nextdayaccess.com.

Next Day Access is pleased to announce the opening of its 27th location, Next Day Access Fairfax, Virginia located at 45681 Oakbrook Court, Unit 110, Sterling, Virginia, 20166. The franchise location, provider of residential and commercial accessibility and mobility products, is owned by Ray Patel, Joseph Yu, and Justin Nunes.

Business partners Patel and Yu are multifaceted business owners. With over 20 years in the restaurant hospitality industry, the two are looking for a new challenge by entering the mobility equipment industry. Now, Nunes joins Patel and Yu as their third partner, bringing in knowledge and years of experience in the construction and automotive industry. 

“We’re excited to join a new but strong and upcoming market,” said Patel. “With the tremendous amount of support from the Next Day Access team, we feel confident in being able to help people in our community with mobility solutions.” 

The Next Day Access Fairfax location will provide a wide range of accessibility and mobility solutions for residential and commercial customers. From aluminum wheelchair ramps to stairlifts, the Fairfax team has the knowledge and skills to help create a safer environment.

“Ray, Joseph, and Justin align with what we look for in Next Day Access owners:  a passion for helping others, great customer service skills, and taking the extra step,” said Dave Clark, President of Next Day Access. “With their existing experience of owning and operating a franchise, Joseph and Ray have a wealth of knowledge that will apply to this new venture. Justin’s hands-on experience and ability to quickly and proficiently learn new skills.”

To learn more about Next Day Access Fairfax, click here.

About Next Day Access

Next Day Access is a leading provider for accessibility and mobility solutions for homes and commercial businesses. With franchise locations across the United States and Canada, their goal is to help aging loved ones and people with limited mobility and disabilities live safely, comfortably, and independently in their homes. Learn more by visiting www.nextdayaccess.com.

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