Product SPOTlight: EasyStand

EasyStand has been on our radar for a while now and we've found the rehabilitation product so interesting that we wanted to highlight it a bit more. Rather than covering it ourselves this time we went straight to the source asking EasyStand to share in their own words why you, as a rehab therapist, should know about about EasyStand. Note we are not affiliated or compensated by EasyStand in any way... we just think they're awesome. The following is their response direct from Jackie Kaufenberg at EasyStand.
Photo caption: Even though Hamza has a high level of disability, he is able to stand using the EasyStand Bantam.  Learn more about Hamza’s story here.

The EasyStand was designed over twenty years ago by a C6-7 quadriplegic.  It is a is a sit-to-stand standing frame (aka stander) for people who have a mobility related disability.  A stander is used to get relief from sitting in a wheelchair, for the medical benefits, but for kids, there are many psychological benefits to standing as well.  Most of our customers have a diagnosis of spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, or a traumatic brain injury, but anyone who uses a wheelchair can benefit from a standing program.  Our products fit kids from 28” tall up to adults 6’5” and 350 lbs.  The EasyStand is different from other types of standing frames, because a seat gradually brings the user to a standing position, so it is a very natural transition. Although funding sources rarely recognize the psychological benefits of standing, they can be some of the most important reasons to stand, especially for kids. Customers have told us that standing for kids has stimulated play, increased self-esteem, kept them focused on their school work, and better participate in activities that were meant to do standing up.

Standing frames are often prescribed by medical professionals for people to use at home on an ongoing basis.  Rehab centers, schools, and nursing homes also purchase standers to be used by many different people at their facility.  Many people have told us that they stand while doing activities that able-bodied people may sit down to do, such as read the paper, watch a movie, or eat breakfast.  Funding for standing frames is available through Medicaid and private insurance, depending on the state and the provider.  A detailed letter of medical necessity citing medical benefits specific to why your patient needs a stander is required for the greatest chance of success. The most widely accepted medical benefits of standing include:

1. Prevention of contractures (ankles, knees, and hips)
2. Improvement of range of motion (spine, hips, knees and ankles)
3. Reduction in spasticity
4. Prevention or reversal of osteoporosis and resultant hypercalciuria
5. Improvement of renal function, drainage of the urinary tract, and reduction in urinary calculi
6. Prevention of pressure ulcers through changing positions
7. Improvement in circulation as it related to orthostatic hypotension
8. Improvement in bowel function
9. Normalization of respiratory function
10. Improve Hip Integrity
11. Develop or improve motor skills
12. Maintain or re-gain bone density

If you have a client who would benefit from standing, go to our website at http://www.easystand.com to get a plethora of information on standing, including videos, funding guide, health benefits and more. You can also connect with us on our blog, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. Our EasyStand rep in the Chicago area is Mike Kotlar of Provision & Asc (Phone 800-776-1779) who has demonstration units if you would like to try the EasyStand with a client. The best way to understand how the EasyStand works is to try one!

Kudos to Jackie and the team for supporting such a great concept. We're looking forward to hearing more about what they do next.