Ask the Expert: Home Medical Equipment
1. My mother refuses to use her walker. She recently had a small stroke which left her weak on one side. The doctor suggested she use a walker for stability. Rather than purchase a new one for her, we just took the walker my father used out of storage. My father passed away about ten years ago.
I’m concerned that my mother will fall if she won’t use the walker. But she adamantly refuses to use it. What should we do?
Most likely the walker you purchased 10 years ago for your father is rigid, made of heavy metal, looks very “medical” and is hard to maneuver.
Today, walkers are colorful (almost any color is available), very lightweight, and fold easily for ease in and out of tight spaces and transporting from place to place in the car. And, for stroke patients especially, there are hemi or side walkers that are much less cumbersome than a full front walker. These hemi-walkers provide the stability of a walker with the ease of use and appearance of a cane.
If your mother just has a weakness on her one side, this may provide all the stability she needs and she will be more likely to use it.
2. I notice that my mother struggles with her utensils during our meals. Her arthritis makes gripping difficult. Is there equipment available that could help her?
Arthritis can make even the most simple, every day activities very painful and difficult.
Activities such as eating, cooking, grooming, hygiene, and mobility are termed or ADL’s. Many products and accessories are available to assist persons, such as your mother, with their ADL’s. Utensils with built-up, coated handles, curved handles, or hand grips are readily available. Other accessories that may help include rocker knives, swivel utensils, knife/fork combinations, as well as scoop dishes, and food guards.
Unfortunately, none of these items are covered under Medicare, but they are usually inexpensive, dishwasher safe, and will last a long time.
3. My mother enjoyed cooking and baking her entire life. Now, a stroke has left her paralyzed on her left side. She keeps me company while I’m preparing our meals, but I know she would love to help. Just washing vegetables or mixing ingredients would make her feel useful.
Can I purchase any equipment that could help her?
Many accessories assist the patient who is paralyzed on one side or is just experiencing weakness on one side.
Some suggestions of equipment related to meal preparation and cooking you might want to consider include: peelers that clamp on to tables or countertops; paring boards that feature prongs at one end to hold food for slicing and a vase to hold a variety of items for one-handed operation; jar lid openers; one-handed can openers; mixing bowls with a suction cup base; and even a grater with suction feet. The list goes on and on. Check with your local Home Medical Equipment supplier for items to assist with ADLs.
4. My 67-year-old mother will have a hip replacement this spring. Other than for her bad hips, she’s very healthy.
I’m worried about her recovery, particularly because her bathroom is not handicapped equipped. What changes should we make in her bathroom so she’ll be safe?
You are right to be concerned about bathroom safety for a patient who has just had hip surgery. A number of things can be done to make your mother’s bathroom safe.
She will need an elevated toilet seat to make it easier for her to get on and off the toilet. Safety rails or grab bars on either side of the toilet and in the bathroom/shower will provide stability when getting on and off the toilet and in and out of the tub/shower.
For bathing, a transfer bath bench would be helpful. Most likely she will be unable to lower herself all the way down into the tub. A regular bath bench sits in the tub so she will still have to climb over the side of the tub to get in the tub. With a transfer bench, which has two legs on the outside of the tub and two inside the tub, she will be able to sit down on the bench outside the tub, lift her legs over the side of the tub, and slide over into the tub.
If she uses a bench in her tub or shower, a hand-held shower will make it easier for her to take a bath. Be sure to have safety treads or a good bath mat in the tub or shower to prevent the any falls. Unfortunately, bathroom items are not covered under Medicare, but these safety items are well worth the cost and piece of mind.
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