Posted May 21, 2013
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, more than 50 million Americans are believed to be coping with health issues that impact their ability to independently carry out activities of daily living. Perhaps you or a loved one falls within that category. If you do, you may want to consider installing a dumbwaiter. It may be able to alleviate some accessibility issues for you.
Just in case you are not familiar with them, dumbwaiters are designed to transport small to modest size items from one floor of a building to another. Thus, they are ideal for people that have difficulty carrying moderately heavy items or negotiating stairs. Items typically transported by dumbwaiters include, but are not limited to food service trays, medicines and bed linens.
The dumbwaiter’s shaft, car and mechanisms are frequently installed inside of a hollow wall that is located near an electrical outlet. However, not all dumbwaiters require electricity. Some may be operated manually. The manual units tend to be suitable for those that have sufficient upper body strength to manipulate the dumbwaiter’s pulley system. It is also important to note that the dumbwaiter’s cars can be configured in a variety of ways. Thus, they are suitable for most homes’ layouts.
Providing that it is medically necessary, the costs of obtaining a dumbwaiter may be tax deductible or paid for through home based and community services’ waiver programs. You may also be able to receive installation assistance through non-profit and volunteer organizations like Home Free Home, Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together.
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