Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I tell if the device can help me?
- The easiest way is to Contact Us. We’ll evaluate what
you tell us and get back to you with a preliminary opinion. You may also consider the following:The Up n’ Free is intended to assist users who have impaired ability to stand/walk because of a disability or
illness. Your impairment could involve lower extremity weakness or control (balance).Lower Extremity Weakness
In order to stand, you must have sufficient leg strength to carry your entire body weight. With the Up n’ Free,
a part of your weight is supported and so it may be possible for you to stand and walk even though
you may not be able to do so on your own… and even if you have not been able to do so for some time.
The key is that you and the Up n’ Free working together must have enough strength to lift your entire body weight.
If you have no strength at all in your legs or very limited strength, the Up n’ Free cannot help you. But if
you have moderate lower extremity strength remaining… even if you cannot stand on your own at this time…
the Up n’ Free may give you an important alternative to life in a wheelchair.Balance
If you have adequate lower extremity strength but cannot stand safely because of balance issues, the Up n’ Free
also may help you. The device supports you inside the rolling frame and substantially improves your ability to
stand with stability.Note that arm strength and coordination are not required to successfully use the device. The Up n’ Free can be
used hands free. - Can I use the device on my own?
- The Up n’ Free is designed so that many people will be able to use the device on their own, and hopefully you can too. In order to use the device without assistance, you need to accomplish all of the following:
- Position the mobility unit around the wheelchair, chair, or bed on which you are sitting.
- Hold the Up n’ Free firmly and slide yourself forward onto the seating system
- Use the activation lever as needed to change between dynamic and static modes
In summary, while not every user will be able to use the Up n’ Free, a wide variety of cognitive users with moderate upper body strength and some lower leg function will be able to use the device without assistance. However, building and adjusting the Up n’ Free may be significantly harder for most users, so we recommend a caregiver is available at least for the first use.
- What does it cost?
- The Up n’ Free standard adult and pediatric units both sell for $3400 plus shipping (about $75 depending on
location). There are several accessories available (please see the Models section), but most users can
use the standard or pediatric unit as is. - Can I use the device in my home?
-
Flooring
To effectively use the Up n’ Free the wheels must be able to roll easily on the floor surface. Wood and tile
floors are ideal surfaces. Some carpets are also acceptable surfaces but the depth of the carpet pile can affect
usability. Deep pile (soft) carpets and carpets with significant surface texture are not recommended. Door
sills can also represent significant obstacles for the Up n’ Free. Metal strip sills are usually no problem, but
wooden door sills can be impossible to cross.Doors
The standard width units will pass through a door opening of 29″ (74 cm) (typically called a 30″ door). Many but not all interior doors are 30″ doors. In particular, bathroom doors are often narrower and sometimes have openings as narrow as 23″ (58 cm). A 23″ door is too narrow for the standard unit.
An additional consideration regarding doors is whether or not the door has a wooden sill.) The Up ‘n Go will not roll over most wooden door sills.
Stairs
The Up n’ Free cannot be used on stairs. Using the Up n’ Free near a down staircase can present a serious risk to
the user. If a wheel of the device slips over the edge of the staircase the device will become extremely
unstable and falling is likely. The Up n’ Free should never be used in a room where there is access
to a down staircase.Furniture
The Up n’ Free is designed to slide under most beds and many chairs and sofas. This enables the user to back into
the desired furniture and use the device to help them sit on the furniture. The same is true when using the
device to get up from the furniture. In order for the Up n’ Free to slide under the furniture there must be a
gap between the floor and the bottom of the furniture of 6 inches (15 cm). The Up n’ Free will also fit around
many typical kitchen or dining room chairs so that the user may sit/ stand with the support of the device.Kitchen
The Up n’ Free is small enough to be used successfully in most kitchens. Tasks such as using the sink or stove
and even loading/ unloading a dishwasher can be accomplished. The “hands free” capability of the Up n’ Free
allows the user to carry items while walking.Bathroom
The Up n’ Free is small enough to pass through some but not all bathroom doors. (Please see the discussion on
doors). Once inside the bathroom, the device can usually turn around and back around the commode. Thus the
Up n’ Free has the capability to assist the user in sitting/ standing when using the commode in many home
situations. Removing the support harness from the rolling
Suspension Unit and then removing the
Suspension Unit can be accomplished alone by some users but
often requires the assistance of a care giver (Please see
Can I use the device on my own?)Outdoor Use
The key question is the roughness of the path that will be used. The Up n’ Free wheels must be able to roll
easily on the surface to be traveled. If the path is smooth and relatively flat there will be no problem.
Most paved paths, driveways and sidewalks are acceptable. Moving over gravel or grass would be extremely
difficult or impossible. A typical sidewalk curb would also be an impossible barrier. Handicapped sidewalk
ramps may or not be passable; it depends on the height of the edge of the ramp.Will it fit in my car?
The standard device fits easily into minivans and SUV’s. It will not fit into most standard cars. As with other uses, the device must have a clear, relatively smooth path to roll up to the vehicle. A portable Up n’ Free that will be able to fit in most car trunks will be available in the near future. It will partially fold to a size of 39″ × 35″ × 12″ (99 cm × 89 cm × 30 cm).
- Where can I see and/or try it?
- Dealers in most major US cities have demonstration units which you can try at their location.
See our list of locations to try the Up n’ Free. If you are a
professional health care provider and would like a demonstration at your facility, or for the location
of a dealer nearest you, please Contact Us. - I live outside the US, what choices do I have?
- Unfortunately we have dealers in only a few countries outside the United States, so seeing a demonstration might
be difficult. We are happy to ship units which are purchased anywhere in the world. Instructions for the
device are only available in English. - Do I have to adjust the device?
- The Up n’ Free has three different types of adjustments as follows:
- Desired support force
- Suspension Unit comfort
- Stop height
Adjusting for the amount of support involves removing/installing pins in holes in the
Mobility Unit. The pins are removed and installed without tools.
And, of course, unless the unit is to be used with multiple users, this is usually a one-time adjustment.
The Seating System fit is adjustable by turning two knobs attached to the front pad and removing/installing a pin for the padded seat. These adjustments can be made by the user (see
Can I use the device on my own?), but it is significantly easier for a
caregiver to do so.