“Consumers' body types are constantly changing and require
bath safety equipment that is stable, comfortable, accommodating
and [that] fits in their tubs.”
— Michael DiFranco, associate product manager,
Invacare
“Products like bath chairs seem to be so simple, you would
think there's a limited amount of things to do to them to make them
easier to use. The product has four legs and a seat; how much
innovation can be integrated into that? But people are thinking of
innovative ways to make the product easier to use and put
together.”
— Brent Yamamoto, assistant marketing manager, Eagle
Health Supplies
“Products that are lightweight and easy to assemble have
become very important to the growing elderly population. If the
product is pre-assembled, it's going to be very large. Shelf space
is very precious. If a provider only puts two products on display,
then sells them both, the restocking time can equate to lost sales.
The challenge for the marketer is to efficiently use the shelf
space while at the same time have a user-friendly
product.”
— Eric Chen, national sales manager, LifeCare
“In the future, I think we'll see a slide transfer device
that also lowers patients into the water, then picks them back up
again, all in one unit without any lift transfers. The goal is to
get away from lift transfers — and relieve caregivers'
backs.”
— Ray Norton, national sales manager, Columbia Medical
