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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.
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
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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
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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
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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.
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.
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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
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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!
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.
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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
My neighbor's lift for straight stairs cost $3000
Click here to see on accessiblemed.com: stair lift
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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Figure 55
Rack holder for remote controls
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
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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
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