Additional items to add to book

*****

Figure 45

Call Button

As I was preparing to leave the rehab center after 2-1/2 months, I knew I needed a call button for my home environment.  I needed a simple way to reach the caregiver.  We found an item on Amazon that was perfect.  It allows me to wear the call button around my neck.  It is very light-weight and comfortable.  I can press the button and reach the caregiver in various parts of the house.  It has 2 receivers, one which she placed in the kitchen, and the other which was placed upstairs where she sleeps. 

When I press the call button, the bell rings in both locations.

I feel totally secure in getting help any time of the day or night. 

 

Amazon price:  $40

Click here to see on amazon.com:  call button

*****

Figure 46

Medical Alert System

If you live alone, a medical alert system allows you to get emergency help when needed, even though no one else is in the house with you.  Just press a button on a pendant around your neck or wrist and a monitoring company is alerted to send help for you. (There is a monthly fee for this service)

There are many medical alert systems.  Here is one which worked well for a neighbor:  medical alert system

*****

Figure  47

Mattress Pad

Hospital beds are sometimes very uncomfortable.  One of the physical therapists recommended to me a new mattress pad with straps at the 4 corners.    We found one through Amazon that is like a feather bed.  It is reasonably priced and turned out to be very comfortable.

Amazon price:  $50 - $71

Click here to see on amazon.com:  mattress pad

*****

Figure 48

Hospital Bed

Hospital beds can be purchased or rented from medical supply companies.  For one that is fully motorized and adjustable, we found the purchase price to be approximately $1000.  The rental price per month was $200.  Usually you can get quick service to have the bed setup.  

Also you can purchase a better mattress for the hospital bed, but it has to be a special mattress that can adjust with the bed.   

*****

Figure 49

Upgrade mattress for hospital bed

If you need a better mattress for hospital bed, consider the following:   

Amazon price:  $220

Click here to see on amazon.com:  Invacare Solace Prevention Foam Mattress

 *****

Figure 50

Accessibility Ramp

When I moved to Pam's home I found a serious problem.  I couldn’t get into the house.  The step getting me into the house at the garage area was approximately 8 inches tall.  The step at the front door was approximately 7 inches tall.  I could not negotiate either with a walker.  When I tried I was terrified!  

We found the best solution for me was to install a metal ramp in the garage. 

We found a company that handles all types of mobility aids … Accessible Systems. 

Prices of ramps vary.  

Mine cost  $2100

Other possible solutions discussed with the consultant from Accessible Systems were to install a lift platform which is motorized to negotiate the step, or re-building the steps so there would be more, but less-steep steps that would be deep enough for a walker to fit on each step. 

For one customer this company even designed a lift to take an old, blind dog up and down stairs!

We found it very helpful to have one of the consultants come look at our home and suggest solutions that would work for my needs.  

 

*****

Figure 51

Stair lift

My 87-year old neighbor lived in a two-story house, with all bedrooms on the second level.  He needed help getting up and down the stairs, and found a stair lift worked well for him. 

Prices vary by brand, features, and whether stairs are straight.
My neighbor's lift for straight stairs cost  $3000

Click here to see on accessiblemed.com:  stair lift

*****

Figure 52

Toilet safety rails

Toilet safety rails are a great help in getting up from the commode.  The rails we installed are hardly noticeable when installed.  When the physical therapist first looked at the bathroom, she didn't notice the rails on the toilet and had to take a second look to see them.

Amazon price:  $24

Click here to see on amazon.com: toilet safety rails

*****

Figure  53

 
Dulcolax stool softener

After my surgery, I had to take prescription pain medicine.  Apparently, the pain medicine caused great constipation.  Fortunately, one of the nurses told me to get an over-the-counter medicine called Dulcolax Stool Softener and to take it every time I took one of the pain pills.  I began doing that and it worked.  The constipation never came back as a result of the pain medicine.  Sometimes I wouldn’t even know I had a bowel movement it was so easy.

This item might be of help to you.  You can check with your physician or nurse practitioner. 

Amazon price:  $11

Click here to see on amazon.com:  stool softener

*****

Figure 54

Stamina In-Motion Elliptical Trainer

I hate exercise.  I have always hated exercise.  

Surprisingly, in January, 2019, I bought an exercise machine.  

I discovered this in the therapy room at the rehab facility.  They have all types of exercise machines, and every time I entered the room, my eye would drift from machine to machine wondering what horror they had for me.  

One day Cody, my therapist, said “Let’s try this one with you."  and he pulled this little machine over.  I realized I could sit down while using it which met my minimum requirement for exercise machines.  But I was still suspicious.  

Cody put my feet on the little pedals and started the machine moving by moving my feet. 

Much to my amazement, I found I loved it.  For some reason it reminded me of a carnival ride.  These exercise machines are elliptical, and I assume this makes you have this sensation.  Every time I went to therapy I wanted to use this machine.  

So I told Cody I wanted to buy one.  I looked it up on Amazon and found it and had it sent to my new home at Pam Padgett’s house. 

When I arrived there in February, 2019, the physical therapist from home care came to the house.  Pam had assembled the machine.  The therapist advised us concerning the height of the chair I should sit in.  She liked the machine.  I liked using  the machine.  Pam tried it and liked the machine.  I am very glad we bought it.  

We bought it from Amazon.  You can order it if this appeals to you. 

Amazon price:  $150

Click here to see on amazon.com:  exercise machine

*****

Figure 55

 
Rack holder for remote controls

We found this small rack which helps keep my remote controls, tablets, eye glasses, and other items where I can easily reach them. 

This rack can also be plugged in so that tablets and phones can be charged while in the rack.

Amazon price:  $26

Click here to see on amazon.com:  charging station and organizer

*****

Figure 56

 
Portable Charger

We had a severe blizzard about two weeks after I moved to Colorado.  During the blizzard, we lost electrical power for about 3 hours.  During that time we had no way to use any electrical devices, so were not able to use the small electric heater to help stay warm.

A few days later a neighbor told us about this small portable electrical charger.  The unit needs to be kept charged when electricity is available.  Then, when electricity is not available, it can be used to power various electrical  units ... cell phones, tablets, laptops, and small electrical units, such as heaters, as long as they need no more than 65watts of power.  It can also be used to charge a car battery, and includes a very bright flashlight.  This is an all-round valuable unit when electrical power is needed. 

Amazon price:  $110

Click here to see on amazon.com:  Halo portable charger

 *****

Handicap Helps (You want me to do what?)

Available at amazon.com

e-Book:  $1.99

Paperback:  $17.99

(USA prices)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. DISCOVERIES UPON RETURNING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM!
  - HOW AM I GOING TO GET FROM CHAIR TO PORTA-POTTY?
  - THE CHAIR REMOTE CORD IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE ? but I can't use my right hand or right arm ...
  - PROBLEM WITH CHAIR LIFT CATCHING BLANKET UNDER BASE
  - THE NEXT PROBLEM WITH THE CHAIR ... had to do with the upholstery
  - THE CUSHION THAT WORKED BEST
  - FOR TWO WEEKS WE DEALT WITH THE TABLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CHAIR.
  - TOP OF BEDSIDE TABLE
  - TABLE AT RIGHT SIDE OF CHAIR
  - TABLE FOR MAKING COFFEE
  - MICROWAVE AREA
  - SPONGE BATH AREA
  - DENTAL TABLE
  - CREATING A HOSPITAL GOWN FROM OLD HOUSE DRESS


2. CONTINUED PROBLEMS
  - SOLUTION:


3. HELPFUL ITEMS


4.   911 ... WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY ?
  - THE MEDICAL MAZE
   

5. WEARING OUT YOUR CHURCH FRIEND ... OR TIME TO GET PROFESSIONAL HOME CARE
  - HOME CARE
  - PREPARING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOME CARE GIVER
  - WORK SHEET FOR HOME CARE GIVER
  - WHERE ON EARTH IS SHE? AND WHAT IS SHE DOING?


6. OVERCOMING IN THE WILDERNESS OF THIS WORLD
  - INTERNET
  - THE INSTALLER COMES TO CHANGE THE INTERNET AND PHONE SERVICE
  - MY FRONT DOOR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN


7. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

*****

Cover

Yellow Text

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. DISCOVERIES UPON RETURNING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM!
  - HOW AM I GOING TO GET FROM CHAIR TO PORTA-POTTY?
  - THE CHAIR REMOTE CORD IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE ? but I can't use my right hand or right arm ...
  - PROBLEM WITH CHAIR LIFT CATCHING BLANKET UNDER BASE
  - THE NEXT PROBLEM WITH THE CHAIR ... had to do with the upholstery
  - THE CUSHION THAT WORKED BEST
  - FOR TWO WEEKS WE DEALT WITH THE TABLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CHAIR.
  - TOP OF BEDSIDE TABLE
  - TABLE AT RIGHT SIDE OF CHAIR
  - TABLE FOR MAKING COFFEE
  - MICROWAVE AREA
  - SPONGE BATH AREA
  - DENTAL TABLE
  - CREATING A HOSPITAL GOWN FROM OLD HOUSE DRESS

2. CONTINUED PROBLEMS
  - SOLUTION:

3. HELPFUL ITEMS

4. 911 ... WHAT IS YOUR EMERGENCY ?
  - THE MEDICAL MAZE

5. WEARING OUT YOUR CHURCH FRIEND ... OR TIME TO GET PROFESSIONAL HOME CARE
  - HOME CARE
  - PREPARING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOME CARE GIVER
  - WORK SHEET FOR HOME CARE GIVER
  - WHERE ON EARTH IS SHE? AND WHAT IS SHE DOING?

6. OVERCOMING IN THE WILDERNESS OF THIS WORLD
  - INTERNET
  - THE INSTALLER COMES TO CHANGE THE INTERNET AND PHONE SERVICE
  - MY FRONT DOOR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN

7. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

.

1.

1.  DISCOVERIES UPON RETURNING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM! 

Comments by Joan Boney

I am 81 years old at the time I am writing this chapter.

On October 29, 2018, I became entangled in my long robe and fell on the floor, breaking several bones in my right shoulder.

Due to this experience, I had an opportunity to make several inventions and discoveries, which would help handicapped people.

I am sharing this with you in the following chapters.

*****

HOW AM I GOING TO GET FROM CHAIR TO PORTA-POTTY?   
  

I was in the emergency room of the hospital from 1:30 AM to 7:30 AM.

The doctor said there were several breaks in my shoulder but there was no need for surgery at this place of injury.

ER doctor put an ace bandage around my arm to hold my right arm next to my body and he put a sling around my neck to stabilize my right hand, and he sent me home without any pain medicine at all! 

Doctor dismissed me from the emergency room and sent me home in a car operated by my church friend.

The first moment of discovery came when I got to my bedroom and sat down in my recliner.  

The pain was excruciating.  It was a level I have never experienced before in my life.  I was praying for God to let me die.

*****

We placed a porta-potty about 8 inches to the right of my chair ... but how am I going to get out of the chair to get to the porta potty?  

I could not stand.  If I tried to use my left arm to push to help me up, the pain was incredible.  I could not tolerate the pain.

The only chance I had was to get a chairlift recliner which would lift me into a semi-upright position.  

Figure 1 ... Photo of chairlift in upright position 

***

The regular furniture stores could not deliver a chair lift until the next day.  How am I going to go to the bathroom for the next 24 hours?  Therefore, it was impossible to buy chairlift from a regular furniture store.  

My church friend got on the phone and called medical supply stores.  She found they do not rent chairlifts, but they sell them.  

Fortunately I could afford to buy a chairlift.  It cost approximately $1000.  They could deliver it that same day and it arrived at 2 PM.  

Here is a picture of the chairlift as it turned out to be, with various needed adjustments made by us.  

Figure 2 ... Photo of chairlift in full upright position and porta-potty

*****

    

  





THE CHAIR REMOTE CORD IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE ?   but I can't use my right hand or right arm ...

The first problem encountered with the chair dealt with the remote control position.

The remote control cord came out from the base of the chair on the right side and came over the arm of the chair.

But it kept falling back over the arm onto the floor beside the chair on the right side.   There was no way I could reach it.   My church friend had to get it and hand it to me.

After many experiments, here is the way we dealt with it and this worked.

We used duct tape.  We fastened the cord securely by wrapping the duct tape around the entire arm.  The duct tape in the following picture is white.

On top of the arm over the remote cord we secured the center position of the arm by using electrical tape.  (see figure 3)

Figure 3 ... Holding the remote cord in the center position of the chair's right arm.

Figure 4 (pictured below) ... Shows the duct tape going all the way around the arm of the chair to secure the chair remote cord

PROBLEM WITH CHAIR LIFT CATCHING BLANKET UNDER BASE 

When you lower the chairlift while having a blanket over your body the chairlift will very often catch the blanket and stick it under the chair and trap it with the frame of the chair.  It pulls the blanket off your body.  It is very hard to get it loose.  

Two times in the night I had to call my church friend to come over and get this blanket untangled from my body.  

There is a very simple solution to this problem.  

As you are lowering the chair raise your foot, raising the blanket which keeps the chair from trapping the blanket.  

This is illustrated in the following pictures.   


Figure 5 ... Raised foot while lowering chair keeps blanket from catching under the chair

Figure 6

*****

THE NEXT PROBLEM WITH THE CHAIR ... had to do with the upholstery.

I had to sit in this chair 24 hours a day.

The basket weave of the upholstery began to dig into my skin and red irritations came on my back.

We finally resolved this problem by using a silk sheet which I had on my bed.  It is an old sheet.  The silk luster has worn off completely through use, but it is very soft and non-irritating.

This temporarily solved the problem with skin irritation from the upholstery.  (see figure 7)

Figure 7 ... Silk sheet over chairlift

In the fourth week of sitting in the chair I began to have additional problems with skin irritation.

I tried folding a blanket and sitting on the blanket to give me thicker protection from the basket weave upholstery.

This was only moderately successful.

Figure 8 ... Velour fabric

Next I tried using the underside of the blanket, which was more like a fleece lining.  This was a little better. 

Figure 9 ... Fleece fabric

We tried cutting an egg crate mattress pad to the exact size of the chair.  This did not work at all because of the thickness of the egg crate.  If you use a very thin egg crate it might work. 


Figure 10 ... Egg crate

THE CUSHION THAT WORKED BEST


Figure 11

Before the accident, I had used this cushion from time to time to alleviate pressure on my tailbone when I was doing extensive hours of writing other books.

When I received this cushion it didn't look like anything much.  It is a thin rubber on one side and material on the other.

I thought I had just thrown away the money.

But from the beginning, this cushion helped while none of the other cushions I've ever ordered were satisfactory.

You would think the thicker cushions would be much better, but I never found that to be the case.  It seems the thicker cushions just sort of roll you higher in the chair and make the whole chair unworkable.

This is the best cushion I've ever ordered. 

Amazon price:  $39.99

Click here to see on amazon.com:  Seat cushion

***

We put that cushion on the seat of the chairlift.  We also put one of those cushions where my back would lie against the cushion.

Then we put the silk sheet (or you can use any other sheet) over the entire front of the chairlift, extending slightly over the back of the chair. 

*****

FOR TWO WEEKS WE DEALT WITH THE TABLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CHAIR.  

I am right handed.  

Now I have only access to that which I can reach with my left hand.  

I could not lean over without excruciating pain in my injured right shoulder.  

The tabletop is the following size:  28" x 15"

***

The following items ended up on top of the table:  

Figure 12

 

Figure 13

Figure 14 ... Cranberry juice in water bottles

We take empty water bottles and fill them with cranberry juice. 

This works very well.  

I try to drink one bottle of cranberry juice daily.  In the hospital the nurses told me cranberry juice helps with urinary tract.  

Having this juice in the water bottles helps me to know that I have drunk one bottle per day, for I take one bottle out of my storage cabinet every day and put it on my bedside table with four bottles of water.    

*****

Figure 15 ... TOP OF BEDSIDE TABLE
 

Items on top of table:

- table lamp

- phone (or cell phone)

- Kindle tablets

- prescription eye drops ... three bottles

- stack of business cards for needed workers

- pill cutter

- crackers

- over-the-counter pain medicine

- 2 bottles prescription Ambien

- bottle of roll-on over-the-counter pain reliever ... Freeze It (also called Max It, Max-Arnice, and several other brand names, but all are the same)

- bottle of constipation relief medicine ... non-prescription granules which you mix in water ... can be purchased over-the-counter by the name of MiraLax

- eyeglass holder and cleaning cloth for eyeglasses

- small rack to hold Kindle tablet device

- package of baby wipes for self-cleaning and hand washing

- hair comb pick

- Chap Stick for parched lips

- long handled back scratcher
- nail clippers 
- dental floss

- bottle of Coca-Cola

- bottle of Premier Protein drink

- bottle of cranberry juice poured into small water bottle container

- 4 8-oz bottles of water

Even with all of these items on the top of the table I still found room for my morning coffee cup, for my piece of toast on a napkin, and for a cup of applesauce or two boiled eggs.

 

***

The nurse practitioner said my injury usually has an eight-week recovery time.  I think I will have to be sleeping in the chairlift for at least eight weeks because I normally sleep on my side and could injure my arm by rolling over in bed on my side.  

The chairlift keeps me from turning onto my injured side.  I have to sleep on my back when in that chair.  

Therefore I feel very safe.   

*****

TABLE AT RIGHT SIDE OF CHAIR 

Figure 16

First, notice the coffee cup which can be used to hold a checkbook, red felt-tip pen, green felt-tip pen,  pencil, and scissors.

Although I am unable to reach the right table with my right hand, I am able to stand and reach the right table with my left hand at this point in time, five weeks after the accident.  

Also it is very helpful to have these materials close by for caregivers.  

You will notice an eyeglass case on the table.  This is critical for placement of a second pair of eyeglasses.  

I keep my first pair of eyeglasses on the left-hand table.  But a few days ago I dropped the eyeglasses on the floor and could not get them.  It was wonderful to have spare eyeglasses on the right-hand table!  Although I was not able to reach them with my right hand, I could stand and reach them with my left hand.  

Details such as this are so helpful for things happen, often at night, when no caregiver is present.  It gives the injured person an independence from the caregiver in taking care of simple problems.  

There is a spare telephone on the right side table.  This, too, came in very handy a few days ago.  

The telephone that I use all the time is on the left table because I can't do anything but use my left hand at this point in time.  

I dropped that telephone receiver and could not get it.  But I could get the phone on the right table by standing and using my left hand.

*****

TABLE FOR MAKING COFFEE 

Figure 17 

In the fourth week of my recovery I began to feel there were things I could do.  

If we setup a coffee making area in my bedroom, then I would be able to make the coffee.  This would spare my church friend from having to come here at 9 AM to make coffee. 

So I experimented with this and found I was well able to make the coffee after she moved the tables into my bedroom and I got them setup so I could use them.

I also had her put a breakfast muffin, in a sealed plastic bag, beside the coffee maker for my breakfast.  This freed my church friend.  

If you will notice in the picture, on the top of the tall cabinet there is water.  Then on second shelf, cranberry juice and coffee filters.  Protein drinks are on the third shelf.

We also added a table to the left of the coffee making table to use for sponge bath items.  

***

On the first table to the left you will see the setup for the sponge bath.

 

On the coffee making table to the right you will see the coffee, coffee maker, drinking cup, Sweet 'N Low container, and muffin in a Ziplock bag for freshness.

Beside that table you will see a blue trash can.

On the right of that you will see the arm of the porta-potty. 

And behind all of this there is yet another table where I have a toothbrush and water, for dental work.  

All of this has freed me considerably and has freed caregivers from having to attend to these things.  

Keep in mind that I can only use my left hand at this point in time.  If you can imagine what it is like to do these things with your non-dominant hand, you will see the arrangement is set up for this purpose.  

If you are dealing with a person who can only use one hand, it is so important for you and the person to imagine exactly what is going to work with that one hand.  

This entire book shows you the focus on the left hand because of my injury.

*****

MICROWAVE AREA

In the fifth week of my recovery, we set up a kitchen area in my bedroom.  

I have some bookcases, approximately 5 feet from the position of my lift chair. 

Caregiver removed books from three shelves.

The shelves are adjustable, so one shelf was lowered in order to hold the microwave.  

On one shelf we placed the microwave.   

On another shelf we placed cans of soup, an electric can opener, and my microwave soup cup container.  

This left the third shelf for the mixing of soup, or stirring of soup, or placing the items.

This gave me freedom to stay by myself over the weekends.  

It worked very well.

Figure 18

 

*****

SPONGE BATH AREA

Figure 19

On top of the table, you will see an electric tea kettle.  This allows me to pour bottled water into the tea kettle and heat water for bathing.

On the second shelf of the table is a red plastic mixing bowl.  When I am ready to bathe, I can move the red bowl to the top of the table for easy pouring from the electric tea kettle.

I can put some bottled water into the bowl and add some hot water from the electric tea kettle.

This will allow me to continually have hot water for sponge bathing, and it will permit me to do most of the bathing myself.

Caregiver will need to sponge only my back.

Bath towels are on the bottom shelf of the table.

In the cabinet behind the table are washcloths.

***

I have tested the system, and it does work well. 

If you have only one arm available, as I do at the time of this writing, you put the washcloth into the red plastic bowl which contains hot water, and set the bowl in your lap.  That allows you to wring out the washcloth to get rid of excess water.

Since the bowl is plastic and lightweight, I found I could do this easily. 

Take a bath towel and cover the back side of the chair.  You might want to put another bath towel on the seat of the chair. 

Now you are ready for your sponge bath. 

While bathing, I found it helpful to move the plastic bowl to my lap when wringing excess water from the washcloth. 

*****

DENTAL TABLE 

Figure 20

Notice the table behind the coffee maker, for it is the dental table.  

I can sit on the bed and brush my teeth and even use the water pick.  

Tooth brushing ... I have a bottle of water sitting there so I can rinse my mouth after brushing my teeth.

I use an electric toothbrush on which I put a small amount of toothpaste.  

The red plastic cup is used for the rinse water.  

I can pour the rinse water into the porta-potty which is approximately 4 feet from this table on the other side of the bedroom. 

Figure 21 

The red plastic mixing bowl can be used in place of a sink basin when using the water pick.  

 

 *****

CREATING A HOSPITAL GOWN FROM OLD HOUSE DRESS 

Figure 22 ... Front side of house dress

A hospital gown is typically cut down the back and tied in the back with a tie.  

I have an injury where my right arm is taped to my body.  It cannot go through a sleeve.  

In order to have at least some clothing on my body, we took this house dress and made it into a hospital gown suitable for use of only one arm.  

The front side looks completely intact.  However, we have cut from the hem up to the right armpit.  This allows me to move the portion of my right hand out from the garment to use as needed, and yet it continues to restrain my right arm to my body. 

Figure 23 ... Back side of house dress
 

In this photo you will see how we have cut off a portion of the back of the right side of this dress.

This allows me to sit on the porta-potty, grasping the left side of the dress without grasping the right side, which I cannot do with my injury.

If we did not have this opening, I feel certain the bottom portion of the dress would cover the hole on the porta-potty and I would not be able to use this toilet.

The way we have cut this allows complete use of the porta-potty with only one hand available to keep the garment away from the hole.

Obviously, if your injury was on your left side, you would cut the left side of the dress.

For a source for dresses of this type, click on the following link:  National

*****

At the time I am writing this, I am starting the fifth week of being in my chair lift recliner 24 hours a day.   

Because of these adjustments I have found this to be very little problem. 

I can walk now to the other side of the bedroom to a cabinet used for protein drinks, water, cranberry juice, and applesauce.  

I am able to easily get to the porta-potty, which is approximately 8 inches on right side of chair, with little or no pain.  

I no longer have to raise the chairlift to the full upright position to do this ... this means I am nearly ready to be able to sit in a regular chair and get up comfortably.

When that happens I will be ready to go into the other parts of the house.  

The pain is the indicator that tells me what I am able to do.

There is very strong pain when I try to press down on the Kindle start button with my right index finger.  This tells me to use my left hand for that.  

All these adjustments worked!

*****