Family Caregiver - Part 3 - Patient Aids - What You'll Need and Where to Get It

Dealing with the patient's stiffness, speech problems,workshop.
instability and inability to stand or walk, difficulty feeding*Motorized scooter. The patient must be physically
himself, incontinence, etc. is hard enough even whenable to handle the controls. Medicare may pay for the
you have help. The items listed here are things I havescooter, but not always. Sometimes you can find a
used for my husband who has Parkinson's Disease.used scooter at an estate sale. Be careful when
Being elderly is a consideration. If your patient haspurchasing a scooter or any item at auction. Everything
other conditions - diabetes, heart problems, your listis sold "as is". Unless you can check it out to see if the
may be considerably longer or different.batteries are good and it runs properly, I would avoid
You may purchase items you need from medicalbuying unless you can get it for next to nothing.
supply stores found on the internet or through theBatteries can run $40-50 each and more, some
Yellow Pages of your phone book. Most peoplescooters have two batteries. If the gearing is worn out
appreciate saving money where they can. Shoppingit may cost too much to have it repaired. My husband's
yard sales, flea markets, or estate sales can lead youscooter just had that happen, the gears wore out. A
to used wheelchairs and other reusable supplies. I havequote for repair was more than $1900. Almost the
purchased 3 used wheelchairs over time, in variousprice of a new scooter. We were able to find
condition - some paint chipped, missing a small part, orassistance to obtain a new scooter.
hardly used. Prices ranged from $15.00 to $40.00. One*Used Hospital beds are to be treated the same as
wheelchair stays in the car, one on the porch to getthe scooter mentioned above. Buy used with caution.
him to and from the car, and one in his basementBuying used equipment is always a calculated risk. If
workshop.you have a problem with the equipment, who do you
Other items you might find helpful:take it to for repair? Sometimes it's better to pay full
*Fold down table, the kind you can pull up to a sofa forprice and buy new from a reputable dealer.
snacking, works well with the wheelchair. I especiallyWhen obtaining these items, that is, the smaller
like it because it is easily moved where needed, it tiltshousehold items, don't hesitate to get more than one,
so he is able to read the paper at a better angle, andmaybe several of each item, ...you'll need them. Plan to
it's washable. Occasionally he'll eat a meal on this table.have multiples - for the car; the house, in different
*Bedside table on wheels, like used in the hospital. Irooms in the house; the basement, etc. If you are
bought several of these tables when our Countyunable to get out to shop these "bargain hunter" sales,
Nursing Home did remodeling a few years ago. At theput the word out to friends or relatives to be on the
time my husband was not sick, but these tables arewatch for items. It may seem heartless to take
handy to have around the house for other uses. And Iadvantage of another's hard ship when they are selling
sure use them now - alongside the bed, at the dinneritems their loved one used while they were being
table, and one in the living room to hold his magazines,cared for at home. Most sellers are glad to see the
tissues and water bottle.items go to someone else that can use them.
*Toilet/potty chair, tub chair, walkers, exerciseYour county Department of Public Welfare may be
equipment. It was tough finding a potty chair with a splitable to assist to obtain new equipment such as a
toilet seat for a male patient, but I finally found one atwheelchair if the patient qualifies. They will only provide
an estate auction, for $10.00.one wheelchair, so if you need additional chairs you
*Hand rails and grab bars. I've purchased some at yardmay have to purchase used ones as I mention above.
sales and at a home building center. Some I madeThey may be able to help with other mobility assisting
myself from 1 1/2" dowels (actually an old tent pole)andequipment - hand grab bars in the bathrooms, stair
brackets bought at a flea market.glide to get up and down stairs, even house remodeling
*Eating utensils, bibs, bed pads, urinals, etc. I found ato accommodate the handicapped patient, the idea
urinal at a sportsman/camping supply store called abeing to keep the patient in his home as long as
Little John. It is shaped differently than the ones foundpossible. They may also be able to provide caregiver
at medical supply. It is red so it is found easily in a hurry,assistance to help care for the patient. Having
and it has a long neck that makes it easier to getassistance when you need it can help prevent
between the legs while sitting. I have several kept atcaregiver burnout and depression.
various spots around the house.Medicare may help pay for equipment if their
*Mobility aids like a gait belt for transferring, a Skidrequirements are met. Combining both Medicare and
Seat to help once the transfer is made, and Hoyer lift,County Assistance can go a long way to making a
manual or hydraulic, for when patient is beyond a gaitdifficult situation livable.
belt. We have a Hoyer lift supplied by Medicare, usedLastly, remember to take care of the caregiver. It
to help get Husband into and out of bed when needed.that's you, allow yourself time to breathe. I should talk. I
We're not using it much right now, but it's good tofeel guilty any time I feel the need to get away, so
know it's there if needed. We've also used it forusually I don't. "My time" is while he sleeps late or goes
getting him up off the floor after a fall. I also purchasedto bed early. I can't go out and leave him alone. I try to
a used one, a little rickety, at an estate auction that Ihave time on the computer or to read. Whatever I can
actually use for moving heavy things around thedo, and still be within hearing distance of his call.