Fathers and sons can have such a special relationship, but what happens when dad gets older and the son needs to play a role in his father's care? Beyond care, what does a son do to help his father regain some of the physical freedom and quality of life that came so easily with youth?

Arthur Beale was like many men of his generation -- wanting to provide for his family and build a life around the American dream of owning a business. Mr. Beale owned and operated a service station and garage for nearly 50 years.

Decades of hard, physical work caught up with Mr. Beale, now age 83, challenging him with chronic arthritis like 58% of adults over the age of 70. So much so, that the arthritis severely limited his ability to walk, bathe as well as get from one seated position to another. Mr. Beale's children, Chuck, Patty and Judy saw that they needed to step in and help with their father's day-to-day care - but - there was one major hurdle. How could Chuck and his sisters physically move their father safely and maintain his dignity?

Just like Mr. Beale's experience with arthritis, 21% of the 35 million adults over 65 experience impaired mobility and loss of independence. Lessened mobility is typically due to conditions like hip or knee replacements, back injuries, obesity, Parkinson's, stroke, degenerative joint disorders, advanced diabetes and general weakness from chronic illnesses like heart failure and cancer. Mobility is one of the most critical factors to senior health says experts on the issue, reinforcing industry research that maintaining a level of physical freedom and activity results in faster recovery and an increased sense of independence.

Mobility was Chuck's challenge and sent him on a search for a mobility aid that could help him and his sisters move their father from one seated position to another without increasing their father's pain. Additionally, they wanted a tool to help ease the strain of physically moving their father countless times each day. His search ended nearly two years ago when Chuck discovered the Williamson Turn Stand after reading about it in a local newspaper. He shared, "I was amazed at how well built the device was."

The Williamson Turn Stand is a transfer device that works by way of a rotating platform assisting a caregiver in transferring a loved one from one sitting position to another - from wheelchair to bed, from chair to wheelchair, from wheelchair to toilet. Holding on to the handlebars for balance, the loved one is helped to stand up, then the platform is turned to the desired position and the person is helped to a sitting position safely and comfortably. The device is made of aluminum, is durable as well as light and easy to move.

"My own job is physically challenging. It was important for me to find a way to ease my dad's pain and help him feel confident that he wouldn't fall when we help move him. The Turn Stand is a lot faster and safer than us moving him ourselves," comments Chuck.

Counted among the more than seven million informal caregivers providing help to older persons in the United States, Chuck and his sisters also had concerns for their father's mental outlook. "He's a vibrant and proud man and we find that the Turn Stand helps by allowing him to participate in his own care. It's been a great tool for us to pivot and move him but also a wonderful way to keep his morale up," says young Mr. Beale.

Since purchasing their Williamson Turn Stand, Chuck has seen his father's pain from pivoting decrease and his fear of being moved lessen as well. Chuck adds, "The Turn Stand allows us to continue caring for him. It means that he can be home with family and avoid a costly stay in a nursing home. That kind of freedom means all the world to my dad."

For more information on the Williamson Turn Stand, contact Marsha, Williamson Medical Devices, at 888-239-7884 or visit www.williamsonmedical.com.