Environmental Considerations | Elderly Independence
As a consumer, sometimes we forget about what we need to do on our side to make a product work. Products rarely fit all consumers’ environments. Think about it for a moment. There are billions of people and millions of manufactured products. But we can dramatically improve our decisions by looking at a few considerations to start the process of considering our end as consumers. This page will be constantly expanded.
Considerations About Suction Devices
Even the best suction cups won’t adhere to some surfaces because it’s impossible to get a good bond that’s free from air pockets. Choose a surface that’s clean, flat, and completely smooth. Slight curves and textured finishes make it difficult to achieve lasting suction power. Porous surfaces don’t work well.
In many cases, suction-cup failure occurs when either the suction cup or the surface it’s grabbing isn’t as clean as it could be. Wipe the inside of the suction cup with a clean lint-free cloth, then do the same with the targeted surface. A light dusting may be all they need. Wipe the surface down with rubbing alcohol, then do the same with the inside of the suction cup. This removes any greasy film that may prevent good suction. Only apply the alcohol to a surface that won’t be damaged by it, such as a shower stall.
Sometimes, a little water adds a lot of suction power. Rinse the entire suction cup under warm, almost hot, tap water. This helps soften the cup, which makes it more pliable. Shake off excess water, then press the cup onto the desired surface. Water droplets on the inside of the cup help prevent air pockets that could cause suction-cup failure.
A small amount of cooking oil or even petroleum jelly around the lip of the suction cup also helps the cup adhere to a surface. Apply the chosen substance to the perimeter of the cup on the side of the lip that sticks to another surface. Use as little as possible, otherwise, the cup may lose its suction power.
Press down on the suction cup from time to time to remove air pockets. Temperature and humidity changes can affect the cup’s pliability, which could also cause air pockets to develop or for the cup to fall off the surface. For best results, apply the suction cup in temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise, it may be too stiff to adhere properly.
Considerations About Surface Conditions
Make sure the surface is level. You can use a level to assure it is. If it is, then you have to check the weight capacity. Here is an example; A shower chair is rated to hold 400 lbs. If the 400 pound force is in the middle of the chair and the legs are level. Each leg supports 100 pounds. If there is any unevenness then those legs who need to support more than 100lbs, which could be out of the manufactures specification. If this is the case, you would need to look at a seat that can support more weight.
If the person’s weight leans to one side, then you may need to look for a bench that can support more weight. Similar to the comments above.