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.
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HOW AM I GOING TO GET FROM CHAIR TO PORTA-POTTY?
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.
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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?
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
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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
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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.
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.
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.
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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
This works very well.
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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.
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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
- 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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In the fifth week of my recovery, we set up a kitchen area in my bedroom.
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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.
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
Figure 18
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SPONGE BATH AREA
Figure 19
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.
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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.
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!
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