IDEAS & HELPFUL PRODUCTS
I signed up to help a 90-yr old friend manage her land line calls - so many missed messages, as she did not know how to retrieve them. With access to her pin number, I can help her get phone numbers and messages. Also extended the number of rings before going to voice mail. Recently, I was able to help her retrieve her hairdresser's number.
Pets can provide solace at every stage of life! Next Avenue article: www.nextavenue.org/dog-makes-difference-end-life/
Video showing a way to use hand contact to help direct a person with dementia: https://youtu.be/IxwJgDg3bYU
A spoon that never spills! If your loved one has coordination challenges: www.amazon.com/Liftware-Level-Starter-limited-mobility/dp/B01N7B1KNW
An inflatable waist bag for frequent falls would have been perfect for my Mom, especially when no one else was in the house. Here is a short video: senior.helite.com/en/
The Raizer chair lets you lift a person safely and easily from the floor, after a fall. I could have used one of these with my Mom! Here is an informational link: youtu.be/ptlg0wIQ3ck
Non-emergency medical transportation may be getting easier. Patients or hospital caseworkers can book rides through companies such as Circulation and Roundtrip. In many cases, Medicare and Medicare Advantage pay the charge, and some insurance companies are joining in - particularly in geographic areas termed "transportation deserts." With over 3 million patients missing medical appointments due to transportation problems, this is a hopeful development. Here is a link to an informative article: www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171205005862/en/Circulation-Lyft-Partner-Non-Emergency-Medical-Transportation
Home Safety Checklist: Things to look for to reduce falls and hazards.
Click here: ouragingparents.net/home-safety-checklist/ Via Mike Gamble, CEO of 'Our Aging Parents' - thanks to "Adult Children Overwhelmed With Aging Parents" Facebook post.
Adaptive razor coming soon - The Gilette TREO is designed for caregivers, to provide maximum control, safety and ease of use. It is in the testing stage - very promising, as razors can be hard to use on someone else.
Hope for Dementia Patients: The future may offer brain "pacemakers" to boost memory function. As deaths from Alzheimer's have soared in the last few decades, this research at the U of Penn is vital.
Regarding scam phone calls:
~ Review your elder's caller ID list as often as possible, and make return calls. Some numbers will be bogus, but a few do have a "take me off your list" feature.
~ It would be great if only certain calls could get through, similar to the "Spam" feature on email. Maybe this phone technology already exists, outside of apps that may be beyond the senior's capacity?
Recipe for a Daily Dose of Laughter:
~ Get a large screen DVD player; add small speakers - play segments from old TV comedy shows, such as Ed Sullivan, Carol Burnett, Red Skeleton, Jackie Gleason. My mom, who worked for 35 years, totally relates to The Lucy Show, where 'Lucy Carmichael' uses her wit to undo her stuffy bank boss, 'Mr. Mooney'. "Mr Ed" is her new interest - We are a horse-family. Episodes are also available on You Tube.
Music on TV - A channel such as Music Choice can be left on at night as background music. We tune into Swing music - can also be left on for viewing, as artist facts & photos pop up.
Check out B-12 Patches
~ If you believe in vitamins, there are several versions of B-12 patches that you may want to try. My mom wears them -- and my thought is, it can't hurt. Patches avoid yet another pill to swallow, and they do not irritate her sensitive skin. Available on Amazon or The Vermont Country Store.
For the Car
~ A Swivel Seat can help the elder swing forward after sitting on the seat, or help with exiting. Some are around $20, from vendors such as Walter Drake. Also, there is a handle that can be wedged into the car door frame to give the elder an extra place to grab on to when getting in or out of the car. I found one at Walgreens.
Door locks with external key pads can help you or EMTs enter the home. My Mom had herself locked in, accidently set off her Lifeline necklace, and could not get to a phone in time to cancel the alert -- Fire Dept responders used an enormous hatchet, like you see in kid's books, and chopped through a cellar door. Now we have the door code registered with Lifeline, which has worked.
I signed up to help a 90-yr old friend manage her land line calls - so many missed messages, as she did not know how to retrieve them. With access to her pin number, I can help her get phone numbers and messages. Also extended the number of rings before going to voice mail. Recently, I was able to help her retrieve her hairdresser's number.
Pets can provide solace at every stage of life! Next Avenue article: www.nextavenue.org/dog-makes-difference-end-life/
Video showing a way to use hand contact to help direct a person with dementia: https://youtu.be/IxwJgDg3bYU
A spoon that never spills! If your loved one has coordination challenges: www.amazon.com/Liftware-Level-Starter-limited-mobility/dp/B01N7B1KNW
An inflatable waist bag for frequent falls would have been perfect for my Mom, especially when no one else was in the house. Here is a short video: senior.helite.com/en/
The Raizer chair lets you lift a person safely and easily from the floor, after a fall. I could have used one of these with my Mom! Here is an informational link: youtu.be/ptlg0wIQ3ck
Non-emergency medical transportation may be getting easier. Patients or hospital caseworkers can book rides through companies such as Circulation and Roundtrip. In many cases, Medicare and Medicare Advantage pay the charge, and some insurance companies are joining in - particularly in geographic areas termed "transportation deserts." With over 3 million patients missing medical appointments due to transportation problems, this is a hopeful development. Here is a link to an informative article: www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171205005862/en/Circulation-Lyft-Partner-Non-Emergency-Medical-Transportation
Home Safety Checklist: Things to look for to reduce falls and hazards.
Click here: ouragingparents.net/home-safety-checklist/ Via Mike Gamble, CEO of 'Our Aging Parents' - thanks to "Adult Children Overwhelmed With Aging Parents" Facebook post.
Adaptive razor coming soon - The Gilette TREO is designed for caregivers, to provide maximum control, safety and ease of use. It is in the testing stage - very promising, as razors can be hard to use on someone else.
Hope for Dementia Patients: The future may offer brain "pacemakers" to boost memory function. As deaths from Alzheimer's have soared in the last few decades, this research at the U of Penn is vital.
Regarding scam phone calls:
~ Review your elder's caller ID list as often as possible, and make return calls. Some numbers will be bogus, but a few do have a "take me off your list" feature.
~ It would be great if only certain calls could get through, similar to the "Spam" feature on email. Maybe this phone technology already exists, outside of apps that may be beyond the senior's capacity?
Recipe for a Daily Dose of Laughter:
~ Get a large screen DVD player; add small speakers - play segments from old TV comedy shows, such as Ed Sullivan, Carol Burnett, Red Skeleton, Jackie Gleason. My mom, who worked for 35 years, totally relates to The Lucy Show, where 'Lucy Carmichael' uses her wit to undo her stuffy bank boss, 'Mr. Mooney'. "Mr Ed" is her new interest - We are a horse-family. Episodes are also available on You Tube.
Music on TV - A channel such as Music Choice can be left on at night as background music. We tune into Swing music - can also be left on for viewing, as artist facts & photos pop up.
Check out B-12 Patches
~ If you believe in vitamins, there are several versions of B-12 patches that you may want to try. My mom wears them -- and my thought is, it can't hurt. Patches avoid yet another pill to swallow, and they do not irritate her sensitive skin. Available on Amazon or The Vermont Country Store.
For the Car
~ A Swivel Seat can help the elder swing forward after sitting on the seat, or help with exiting. Some are around $20, from vendors such as Walter Drake. Also, there is a handle that can be wedged into the car door frame to give the elder an extra place to grab on to when getting in or out of the car. I found one at Walgreens.
Door locks with external key pads can help you or EMTs enter the home. My Mom had herself locked in, accidently set off her Lifeline necklace, and could not get to a phone in time to cancel the alert -- Fire Dept responders used an enormous hatchet, like you see in kid's books, and chopped through a cellar door. Now we have the door code registered with Lifeline, which has worked.
Aging At Home - Things to Try
SLEEP WEDGE - We chose a wedge that goes from 1 - 5", which aids in helping the elder get in and out of bed more easily -- also helps with acid reflux, and breathing in general. Hudson Industries is an American company, and their one piece, solid construction seems lasting. www.hudsonindustries.com
BED GRAB BAR - The model we bought is horseshoe-shaped and is attached under the mattress with sturdy elastic ties. The elder grabs onto it, at the side of the bed, to give extra 'oomph' in getting up.
FROZEN LEMON WEDGES - Cut and freeze lemon pieces and use to keep drinks cold longer, and get the benefits of Vitamin C! Try drizzling honey on the lemons before freezing - less tart tasting!
TALKING CLOCK- I bought a small unit online that is intended to remind about taking meds, up to four times a day. But we use it for a green button that greets you, gives the day, time and month -- and states am or pm. Helps with staying oriented for elders that live on their own. The alarm system goes off without reset, and a prominent red button announces when it has been acknowledged.
EMERGEN - C powder comes in packets and can be added to water or any drink to deliver some essential vitamins and help avoid dehydration. Available at Walgreens and similar stores. Combine with lemon wedges!
NO-SLIP FLOOR STRIPS have a sandpapery surface and sticky backs - you wipe the floor with alcohol, then apply the strips in the bathroom or in front of a bed. Can be removed later, as I saw at a nursing facility. Can be purchased at a home goods store - buy more than you think you need - we ended up using 4 rolls in a small bathroom.
Check out these catalogs for a range of products, including housewares, clothing & footware, personal care, lighting, health supplements, wheelchairs and other adaptive aids: Dr. Leonards; www.drleonards.com. Gold Violin; www.goldviolin.com. first Street; www.FirstStreetOnline.com.
SLEEP WEDGE - We chose a wedge that goes from 1 - 5", which aids in helping the elder get in and out of bed more easily -- also helps with acid reflux, and breathing in general. Hudson Industries is an American company, and their one piece, solid construction seems lasting. www.hudsonindustries.com
BED GRAB BAR - The model we bought is horseshoe-shaped and is attached under the mattress with sturdy elastic ties. The elder grabs onto it, at the side of the bed, to give extra 'oomph' in getting up.
FROZEN LEMON WEDGES - Cut and freeze lemon pieces and use to keep drinks cold longer, and get the benefits of Vitamin C! Try drizzling honey on the lemons before freezing - less tart tasting!
TALKING CLOCK- I bought a small unit online that is intended to remind about taking meds, up to four times a day. But we use it for a green button that greets you, gives the day, time and month -- and states am or pm. Helps with staying oriented for elders that live on their own. The alarm system goes off without reset, and a prominent red button announces when it has been acknowledged.
EMERGEN - C powder comes in packets and can be added to water or any drink to deliver some essential vitamins and help avoid dehydration. Available at Walgreens and similar stores. Combine with lemon wedges!
NO-SLIP FLOOR STRIPS have a sandpapery surface and sticky backs - you wipe the floor with alcohol, then apply the strips in the bathroom or in front of a bed. Can be removed later, as I saw at a nursing facility. Can be purchased at a home goods store - buy more than you think you need - we ended up using 4 rolls in a small bathroom.
Check out these catalogs for a range of products, including housewares, clothing & footware, personal care, lighting, health supplements, wheelchairs and other adaptive aids: Dr. Leonards; www.drleonards.com. Gold Violin; www.goldviolin.com. first Street; www.FirstStreetOnline.com.
SERIOUS SOFA RAIL - Necessity is the Mother of Invention!
After a couple of slips getting on or off her sofa, my husband constructed & installed a railing around my Mom's favorite perch -- her sofa. The image below shows the cast-iron railing, which is bolted to the floor and the wall. I then draped a colorful throw on the side. The section in the front gives a good area to grip, without blocking her ability to leave a walker nearby. This approach leaves her able to lay down on the couch, rather than use a reclining chair, which she had trouble operating. One of Mom's caregivers thought the light blue color, while stark, would provide a much-needed visual point of reference.
After a couple of slips getting on or off her sofa, my husband constructed & installed a railing around my Mom's favorite perch -- her sofa. The image below shows the cast-iron railing, which is bolted to the floor and the wall. I then draped a colorful throw on the side. The section in the front gives a good area to grip, without blocking her ability to leave a walker nearby. This approach leaves her able to lay down on the couch, rather than use a reclining chair, which she had trouble operating. One of Mom's caregivers thought the light blue color, while stark, would provide a much-needed visual point of reference.
Below is the sofa rail, followed by photos of a table that my husband made with a metal grab bar running along on all sides. It is an L shape for stability and for flexibility with changing needs. I did add some heavy objects on the bottom shelf to ensure Mom could not pull it over. The goal is to have her pull up her wheelchair, put her left hand on the blue grab bar and her right hand on the black grab bar on the table, and turn to sit on the sofa. So far, so good. The table is the right height to allow her reach snacks, a drink, her TV remote, phone, etc. Like a command center!
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HANDICAP SHOWER
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A Call Button - Basic Necessity
My Mom's worn a call button around her neck for years - she has used it when she needed a simple assist to get up, or in a more serious situation, after a bad fall. There are many products on the market to choose from. A main factor is the elder's willingness to keep it on them at all times. However, if the phone lines go down, so does the call button. So consider a simple cell phone and keep it charged.
My Mom's worn a call button around her neck for years - she has used it when she needed a simple assist to get up, or in a more serious situation, after a bad fall. There are many products on the market to choose from. A main factor is the elder's willingness to keep it on them at all times. However, if the phone lines go down, so does the call button. So consider a simple cell phone and keep it charged.
A Great Way to Donate Household Items: Vietnam Veterans of America. www.pickupplease.org 800-775-8387. Our parents accumulate a lot of "stuff"!
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