Input to Consider re
PALACE QUAY POOL
LIFT PROPOSAL
To All of you Palace Quay Members;
A number of weeks ago, my (middle-aged) friend Grace (who plans on moving into my condo with me in early 2008) and I presented an initial pool lift proposal idea to the Palace Quay Strata Council in order to see what steps we would need to take to present our proposal officially to all of you.
We were very encouraged by the council's very warm and open consideration of the initial ideas and so are in the process of taking the steps they suggested to us, the next of which was to present the proposal to you in early 2008.
The following info contains some specific info for those of you who would like to have that, but has been categorized into shorter sections so you can access the information you want. We hope this helps.
As mentioned, I have recently asked Grace to consider moving in with me.
Grace is severely disabled with rheumatoid arthritis & related matters and so we are checking out whether her disabilities will be able to be adequately managed here.
Grace's ability to walk is almost gone. She can only walk very short distances at a time (even walking to her car in her driveway is a big chore for her and she is often not able to do so). She is increasingly needing her motorized Scooter and wheelchair almost every time she goes anywhere, and she is no longer able to climb stairs - even climbing one half-stair is difficult for her and sometimes not possible.
One of the things we feel would be very helpful for her if she moves in here with me would be the benefit of potentially using the pool as therapy to help to strengthen her body and enable her to have some exercise.
The other major reason for the proposal is in the following section.
With that in mind, and considering the fact that there
are already quite a number of seniors in the buildings, the proposal we submitted
to the strata council and wish to submit for your thoughtful consideration
as members is for you to consider the possibility of:
+ installing a remote-controlled
hydraulic lift (possibly a portable lift) to hoist people into and out of
the pool (as used in some physio facilities). We will include some possibilities
to consider, below;
+ a portable ramp to allow for wheelchair access to the pool over the stair in the corridor.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS FOR OTHER DISABLED OR SENIOR MEMBERS OR GUESTS, PEOPLE RECOVERING FROM SURGERIES, OR OTHER INJURIES, ETC.
We feel that this type of addition to the pool would do far more to benefit many of the Palace Quay's community than just benefitting Grace, and that the cost would be minimal compared to its potential benefits.
For example, we believe it could
be an additional marketing point for condos in the future, especially since:
+ there are already numerous seniors
in the building who may benefit from this
+ the population is increasingly senior
all around us and many more may become members of the Palace Quay community
in the future - see a few stats on Canada's Aging Population
here.
+ many of the members of Palace Quay
may have friends or family that come to visit / swim that may also benefit
+ if there are other disabled people
in the building, or their families or friends, they could also benefit
+ if there are people recovering from surgeries or other injuries, some of them may be able to benefit from such a lift/ramp, as well
Grace and I have been doing internet research on the various possibilities which we are proposing as considerations below.
CANADA'S AGING POPULATION - a few stats from some excerpts
Info
from : Canada's Aging Popluation
and from : Canada's
Aging Population
Introduction
"...The Second World Assembly on Aging (April 2002)
provides an
opportunity for all the countries of the world to come together to
reflect on the impact of aging not only on individual nations but also
globally. It is an opportunity to celebrate the enormous
gains in longevity witnessed in the twentieth century and to anticipate the
challenges of the new millennium. Canada is positioned well to respond
to these challenges
and its federal government remains committed to building a strong
society for all ages.
At the start of this new century,
Canada faces significant aging of
its population as the proportion of seniors increases more rapidly
than all other age groups.
In 2001, one Canadian in eight was aged 65 years or over.
By 2026, one
Canadian in five will have reached age 65.
Population aging is a complex issue that concerns not only
the
well-being of today's older Canadians but also broader areas and
sectors affecting the total population, such as health, labour markets
and public finances. It affects and engages communities, all levels of government
and all sectors of society.
The challenges of an aging Canadian society will require continued efforts to:
+ improve health, well-being and
independence in later life;
+ facilitate the participation of older
Canadians in economic and social life;
+ strengthen the supportive environments
within communities; and,
+ sustain government programs benefiting
Canadians of all ages.
Canada's seniors are a diverse population. Issues related to their
overall health and well-being may vary depending on their place of
residence (urban, rural, or northern areas), their gender, their
ethnocultural background as well as if they are among Canada's
Aboriginal peoples.
The federal response to population aging recognizes and
responds to
this diversity through a wide range of policy and program initiatives.
Canada's Aging Population
This document is intended to provide an overview of population
aging
in Canada and of the major issues that must be addressed as both the
number and the proportion of seniors increase in Canadian society. It
also provides information on how the federal government is responding to these
issues.
The first section of the document presents statistical
information on
seniors in Canada, outlining the characteristics and diversity of
Canada's older population, while the second section describes a number of
the key steps being taken by the Canadian federal government in collaboration
with partners to address important aging issues.
2 Seniors in Canada - At a Glance
Who are Canada's seniors?
Demographic profile of Canada's aging
population
Seniors* constitute the fastest growing
population group in Canada. In
2001, it was estimated that 3.92 million Canadians were 65 years of
age or older, a figure that is two thirds more than in 1981. During
the same period, the overall Canadian population increased by only one quarter.
The proportion of seniors in the overall population has gone from one in twenty
in 1921, to one in eight in 2001. As the "baby boomers" (born between
1946 and 1965) age, the seniors population is expected to reach 6.7 million
in 2021 and 9.2 million in 2041 (nearly one in four Canadians). In fact, the
growth of the seniors population will account for close to half of the growth
of the overall Canadian population in the next four decades.
The fastest growth in the seniors population is occurring
among the
oldest Canadians. In 2001, over 430,000 Canadians were 85 years of age
or older -more than twice as many as in 1981, and more than twenty
times as many as in 1921. The proportion of Canadians aged 85 or more is expected
to grow to 1.6 million in 2041 - 4% of the overall population. (See Chart..."
on web site)...
"...One of the main causes of the aging of the Canadian
population is the
change in fertility rates since 1945. The fertility rate was three
children or more per woman from the mid-1940s to the mid-1960s. It then fell
rapidly, and has remained below the rate for natural replacement of the population
for the last thirty years.
The current fertility rate of 1.5 child per woman is expected
to
remain relatively constant for coming decades. This phenomenon
accounts for a notable "bulge" in the population of baby boomers,
who by virtue of their numbers, will influence Canadian society for many years
to come. (See Chart..." on web site.)...
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF RAMP & LIFTS
There is a small ramp needed for wheelchair or Scooter access just over the one stair in the corridor to the pool area.
In order to seek to keep things looking as they normally do and while seeking to prevent as many changes as possible in order to make this feasible, it is our feeling that likely the best way for us to consider going with the ramp is to consider a PORTABLE suitcase-type of ramp which can be easily moved to and from the location as needed. This type of ramp is easy to move and store out of sight when not in use...
Here are a couple options we'd like to ask you to consider:
EZ-ACCESS
SUITCASE WHEELCHAIR RAMP - Designed for scooters and wheelchairs
Optional Top Lip Extension (TLE) allows for rear door access on utility vehicles,
SUVs, and vans
EZ-Access Suitcase Wheelchair Ramp $159.00 (regularly
$199.99) - Ships 1-2 days
Ramp Length
2 ft. accommodates 3"-7" rise
3 ft. Accommodates 3"-10" rise + $30.00
4 ft. accommodates 3"-14" rise + $60.00
5 ft. accommodates 3"-18" rise + $90.00
6 ft. accommodates 3"-21" rise + $140.00
Ramp Extension
Optional Top Lip Extension + $50.00
* * *
Drive Single Fold Suitcase Ramp
$149.00 (regularly $200.00)
Ships 1-2 days
600 lbs. weight capacity - this is good because most motorized wheelchairs
or Scooters can hold a person up to about 300 lbs, plus most Scooters and
motorized wheelchairs weight about 250-300 lbs. or so, as well.
Durable, lightweight construction
Size
2' x 30"
3' x 30" + $10.00
4' x 30" + $60.00
5' x 30" + $90.00
6' x 30" + $120.00
A note which we got from one of the web sites re ramps:
"...Please be aware that inferior Chinese made ramps
are flooding the market.
Chinese ramps are made of low quality aluminum and are prone to cracked welds.
ALL ramps on this website are built in the USA to high professional standards."
There are various types of pool lifts available. They come with various types of chairs or harnesses in order for care-givers to be able to assist the person with entry into and exit from the pool. (see Is there a difference in the types of seat and how they rotate to facilitate transfer?)
+ Manual or remote-control operated - see more info on this HERE: Different Types of Pool Lifts - some use simple hydraulics, water pool lifts or re-chargeable batteries
+ Installed onto the pool deck or into the pool itself, or portable so it can be moved when not in use.
Depending on the type of lift you select, there will be several mounting options for each lift.
Lifts that are designed for in-ground pools and spas are typically mounted into a recessed socket in the pool deck. Some brands of pool lifts offer a design that is totally above the deck design where no part of the lift enters the water (except for the chair when it descends). These lifts are ideal for pools that have pool covers.
If you live in an area where the pool lift will not be used on a year round basis, some in-ground socket designs allow the lift to be removed from the socket and towed away for storage.
Installations for above ground pools may be mounted to a wood post that is recessed in to the ground or mounted to the floor or deck via a steel plate or mounted to the edge of the pool.
Other types of installation:
ie., screwed onto pool deck, or into the pool; portable battery-operated - more expensive than some but won't mark up the deck.
Most lifts have a 300 lb. capacity to lift, though some have the added heavy duty ability to hold a person up to 400 lbs.
We would recommend to go with the one for 400 lbs. as Grace is almost at the 300 mark at this point so is thinking it would be best to have a 400 lb one. That could also provide options for some other larger folks as well, and people are continuing to weigh more in this era than previously, so it would be good to be prepared.
Range of lift
costs:
Lift costs seem to range from approx. $1500 - $6,000 (or
top end, about $23,500?? - but that model is not included as a consideration
in this proposal as we do not think it is necessary when these other lifts
look like they could do the job well.)
Are
there different types of pool lifts?
There are several different types of pool lifts on the market. They are often referred to as aquatic lifts, handicapped pool lifts and water pool lifts.
Manual Pool Lifts are operated using simple hydraulics. To operate a manual aquatic lift, the patient is secured in the transfer harness. The caregiver simply uses a handle that lifts the patient into or out of the pool or spa. The mechanism for most hydraulic handicapped pool lifts is very similar to using a car jack. Another technology used for manual pool lifts is the water pool lift, which uses a garden hose to provide hydraulic pressure. The care giver would simply open the water valve to lift the patient into or out of the pool or spa.
An automatic pool lift operates using a battery powered motor. These systems will provide sufficient lifting power for up to 30 lifts and let the caregiver gently lift the swimmer into and out of the pool or therapy spa. While these systems are typically more expensive than a manual system, they are much easier to use and provide smooth transitions both in and out of the pool.
Is there a difference in the types of seat and how they rotate to facilitate transfer?
Most pool lifts offer seats that can rotate anywhere from 90 to 360 degrees. Lifts with chairs that rotate 360 degrees will allow caregivers to transfer from anywhere on the pool deck. Lifts that have chairs that only rotate 90-degrees are only suitable for those who are capable of a stand-pivot transfer.
Our Recommendation of a Pool Lift
1st choice: The Portable Pro Pool Lift
With this enabling technology, NO anchors are needed! Simply wheel the lift to the poolside where you want it, tilt it forward onto the base and start using it. 400 lb lifting capacity, this is the only Portable Lift in the industry with a full 400 lb. lifting capacity. Has all of the features and benefits of our standard Pro Pool Lift™ plus the portability feature. Lift Kit can also be retrofit onto an existing Pro Pool Lift™ to convert it to a portable unit. A perfect solution to meet handicap accessible construction demands with limited space availability!
For us:
Costs include
a 10% discount: $10,500 down to $9,450
plus Shipping, Duty, Delivery and Set-Up - $1,200
Total: $10,650
Warranty: 5 years
2nd choice: The Splash Aquatic Pool Lift -
If you need a easy and safe means of getting your patients
in and out of the pool, then we've got the perfect solution for you. The
Splash Aquatic Pool Lift - see photos
and specs - heavy duty version holds up to 400 lbs. instead of the usual
300 lbs. of most lifts. (new
in 2006 - Splash now comes with 400 lb capacity as a standard feature!!!).
A removable deck mounted aquatic pool lift. Can be used with existing deck
anchors or easily installed with any standard anchor. Provides 359° a
turning radius for safe transfers away from pool edge. Rechargeable battery.
Easy to use: The Splash! can be operated by either the user or an attendant.
Its hand control is completely waterproof. The control box and battery are
water resistant and should be protected from long exposure to the water.
Increased lifting capacity to 400lb (heavy duty model). Mounted to deck using square anchor (included with lift).
Lift is designed for individuals with disabilities in residential,
commercial, recreational, and hospitality settings.
Cost for lift: $3,500
Installation: checking into costs
Batteries: - how many batteries needed? - still
checking into
Battery charger: still checking into
Accessories:
Maintenance:
Warranty Info: Lifetime
warranty on frame, excluding the powder coated paint finish, which may become
scratched with normal use. All electronic and motor components have a full
two-year warranty.
The following looks like a wonderful portable option....HOWEVER, the weight capacity is not high enough. The lift above has that heavy duty feature available.
The EZ Pool Lift is a manual pool lift designed for use by individuals with spinal cord injury, lower extremity disabilities, or severe physical disabilities. It is portable for storage and/or relocation to another pool area. Stainless steel construction and a UV resistant powder coat finish ensure corrosion resistance. OPTIONS: Additional anchors and slings. CAPACITY: 400 pounds. WEIGHT: 48 pounds.
WARRANTY: Limited 5 year warranty.
Cost: $1199.00
or Elkhorn Lift - very similar, 400 lbs. capacity, 2 year limited warranty - $1,450
Swim-Lift Avalanche Battery-Powered Lift - (very similar to above but battery powered) 400 lbs., battery powered. 1-800-776-5309 for current pricing.
Similar pool lift here - lifts 400 lbs. - $1,900
PAL 1000 Portable Pool Lift - Aquatic Therapy - see photo and specs down the page a ways. Holds weight of up to 300 lbs. Portable: Requires no mounting to the pool deck. Rechargeable battery. Virtually maintenance free and made with corrosion proof materials. Offers a lifetime warranty on frame.
Cost for lift: $5,100
Installation: N/A since it's portable
Batteries: - how many batteries needed? - still
checking into
Battery charger: checking into
Accessories if needed: http://www.activeforever.com/p-699-pal-1000-portable-aquatic-lift-pool-lift.aspx
Maintenance: virtually maintenance free
Warranty Info: Lifetime warranty on frame, excluding
the powder coated paint finish, which may become scratched with normal use.
All electronic and motor components have a full two-year warranty.
The Pro Pool Lift™ includes a submergible remote control handset, dual flip up arms, flip-up footrest, an adjustable lap belt and optional headrest. If you are looking to keep your deck clear and anchor free, then incorporating our Portable Kit will allow you to place the Pro Pool Lift™ almost anywhere on the deck without anchors!
The 24v battery unit lifts up to 400 lbs. Limited 5-Year Warranty. Anchor, battery, and charger included. Ships truck freight fully assembled and ready for installation. Weight 115 lbs. Shipping weight is 200 lbs.
Pro Pool Lift - $3,799.00
Pro Pool Lift Portable Kit - $1,280.00
Pro Pool Lift with Portable Kit - $4,895.00
Accessories - ie. anchor, safety cover, etc.
Aquatic Access Model IGAT 180 - portable - 400 lbs - $3,500 - water operated
Swim Lift Lolo - 400 lbs. $3,500 - water operated
Swim Lift Traveler - 400 lbs., electrically operated, $6,000
Swim Lift Greyclif - top of the line? - 500 lbs., Manual - $16,000 - automatic - $23,500
---
Rechargeable Batteries - can hoist about 30 times per charge
http://www.1800wheelchair.com/asp/view-category-subcats.asp?category_id=370
Costs for batteries: still checking into
Cost for charger: still checking into
What kinds of batteries? - still checking into
Warranty: still checking into
How often need replacing?
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME & KIND CONSIDERATIONS!
We are very grateful for your time in reading and considering this proposal and will look forward to hopefully being able to serve the Palace Quay community, as well, as we deliberate over these matters together.
With much appreciation,
Palace Quay Member/Homeowner - Nancy Duminy
Some Parameters to Consider for Those Using the Lift / Ramp Equipment
+ ONLY injured or disabled people to use the lift - since it is not a toy and should be used for those who really need it
+ recommend that anyone wishing to use the lift must go through the prescribed training first - by those qualified to train - perhaps by some in-house members that have taken the initial training by the pool lift company once the lift is installed, etc. They in turn could train others as needed. So perhaps interested parties could meet together with someone from the pool lift company once or twice to learn how to use it and then train others as needed.
+ some kind of note or contract could be signed by anyone wishing to use the lift, stating that they have taken the training or are with someone who has, and whatever else would need to be covered in a signed/dated note like that which could be kept on record for the council.
+ injured or disabled children need to be supervised by an adult
+ those who use the lift should leave it as they found it
+ those using the lift should have someone with them
+ are there certain PARAMETERS that the council and members
would want to have put in place to help
protect against any potential lawsuits? such as:
- does it depend on on-site instructions of how to use
the lift -
placed in plain view?
- do folks requiring the lift, or their supervisors, need
to have
signed a form beforehand saying that they have been properly trained
in how to use the lift, before they can use it?
- might they also have to sign some kind of form stating
that in using
the lift, they have been made aware of the parameters, are
acknowledging that they understand the risk of using the lift
(probably almost nil if they use it correctly), and that they are
acknowledging the fact that they will not hold the strata
council/members responsible for any accidents directly related to the
use of the lift.
- perhaps the parameters should include the minimum height
of people
that could safely use the lift – as the person being hoisted into/out
of the pool
+ Other?
Maintenance / Clean-up / Recharging
+ Have sign made which outlines what needs to be done
+ Storage for portable ramp and possible portable lift / accessories
+ if portable lift is purchased, and portable suitcase ramp as suggested, they could probably be easily stored away and out of sight when not in use
Other?
In attempting to get answers to our questions for the Palace Quay Council and members about liability issues, as per the questions that were given to us at the members meeting, we did some checking with some pool lift companies to find out whether this kind of thing happens with other buildings such as the Palace Quay... and to find out more about how others hand it. They couldn't give us much input on that and recommended that we check into this with lawyers or insurance agents.
However, as we thought further about this, we realized that since the Palace Quay already HAS insurance for the pool, the existing insurance probably has this covered under the same umbrella. So in order to find out, perhaps the Council can check out what the existing pool insurance covers, and that is likely all you would need.
However, we would recommend that parameters for users be put in place, as well, such as the ones mentioned above.
Some of the questions
we asked were:
--------------------------
+ If there were accidents, would each owner be sued, or
how would that work?
+ are there other similar situations – such as with a strata
council/members, that you know of, who have done this? If so, what
kinds of things did they need to know?
+ who would we contact to find out this kind of
information?
+ what type of insurance would we need to get? Are there various
options to consider and if so, what might they be?
+ does liability ins. or amount of liability ins. depend on what type
of supervision is required with use of the pool lift (we're hoping for
a portable lift which can be easily removed from the pool when not in
immediate use - http://www.aquacreek.com/portable-pro-pool-lift.htm)?
+ IS supervision required, and if so, to what degree?
+ who assesses the potential liability and how is it determined?
+ how do they determine the eventual cost (type of lift? Amount of
members in the building, etc,?) and duration of the insurance?
+ where would we get this kind of insurance?
The Response we Received to our Questions From Aqua Creek's head office in the US - from which the pool lift we are recommending from this region is through them....
Response from Aqua Creek
-------------------------
"...Thank you for your inquiry about the handicapped pool access lifts.
The questions and issues you raise are really more suited
to legal
advice and insurance advice. As mere manufacturers of the products, we
are not suited to offer you advice on legal or liability issues, or on
insurance issues. I would suggest that you contact an insurance expert
and/or a lawyer.
As far as supervision goes, we recommend
that the lift be supervised
at all times when it is being used. This may not be necessary in all
cases, and to meet ADA codes, the ADA compliant lifts must be designed
to be self operated. Continuous supervision while the lift is being
used should help reduce the potential for injuries.
As far as the degree of supervision required, that would
depend upon
the nature and severity of the disabilities of the person using the
devices.
I can also tell you that your condo
association is probably considered
a public pool by definition, and as such is probably REQUIRED to have
a method of handicapped access to the pool based on the NEW ADA
Standards. (this is in the US - not sure of Canada's laws about this)...
Thank you,
Brian Goettlich
Owner
Aqua Creek Products
888-687-3552