More Equipment

Before I go any further, I have reached the milestone of over 1.000 hits on my blog.  I am amazed that people have taken the time to read my blog, and presumably keep returning to it. 

 

Thank you, but haven't you got anything better to do!

 

In all seriousness I hope that you enjoy what I write and that you find at least some of it useful.  I am certainly enjoying writing it, and reading you comments.

 

You will probably notice that I have changed the background illustration, which I intend to do on a regular basis.

 

As I predicted in my previous blog, "Equipment," as soon as I posted it I found a load of things I should have included but had forgotten about.  So here's a few more things that I use to hopefully make my life a bit easier.

 

John Robertson, mentioned in a comment to me about his leg lifter, which reminded me that I had one to.  This aid enables the leg to be lifted on or off a wheelchair or bed by fitting the large loop over the foot, and pulling the handle loop. It has a wired frame inside to keep the leg lifter straight and allows you to be able to move and lift the leg with minimal power needed.

 

I actually use mine to loop over my toes and then pull back towards me, thereby stretching my calf muscles.

Leg Stretcher - not modelled by me

 

I find this a very simple and easy to bit of equipment.

 

Sticking with the legs, I'm sure many of you struggle getting your socks on.  To help with this I have a sock aid.  This is again simple and easy to use.  You put the sock over the large plastic bit, with the sole of the sock under this plastic bit.  It then bends round with the sock so that you can then slide your foot into the sock.  Then holding the ribbons, you simply pull, and the sock is pulled round your heel and up your leg,

 

Sock Aid

 

There is a similar device called Actiglide, which can be used to help put compression stockings on.  Sadly I couldn't find a picture of this but if you "Google" Actiglide, this will take you to it.  When the District Nurses come out to me, regarding my compression stockings, they always use this device, and it seems to make getting them on very easily, with little effort.

 

Mind you, having said that, my carer, Margaret, has been putting them on people for years, and has developed her own technique.  She can get them on properly very quickly, and usually faster than the nurses using the Actiglide, but she is very strong.

 

To help take socks off, and to help with putting shirts and t-shirts on, I have a Dressing Stick.  This is basically a stick with a hook at the end, and can be used to push up your shirts and hold them to enable you to get your arms in, as well as hooking into the top of your socks, to enable you to push them down.

 

Dressing Stick

 

To be honest with you, I do not find this to be particularly helpful.  Very often I would use more effort using this, than not, and do not find it of much help.  This maybe because having carers they help me with dressing, and putting my clothes on and off, so I don't get much practice with it.  I was given this when I was in rehab, and always found that having used it to dress, I needed a rest, as I'd used so much energy, fiddling with the stick.  Personally, I wouldn't recommend it, but I'd be interested to hear from anybody else who might use one and epecially if you feel it is of some benefit.

 

I also have a personal care alarm, which is supplied by Careline.  I have a pendant, which I wear round my neck - you can get ones to wear on your wrists - and if I fall or get into any sort of difficulty when I'm on my own, I can push the button on the pendant, and the system then connects me to a telephone operator.  The operator will ask me what the problem is, and assess if I need someone to help me up off the floor, or other help.  If I have hurt myself they will call an ambulance, but otherwise they will send out two people to help.  The operator will usually stay on the line with you, whilst you are waiting for assistance to arrive, which can be helpful, especially at night or if you have hurt yourself.

 

I have a "Key Safe" outside, which requires a combination to be able to open it.  This is securely fitted to the wall outside, and you would need to know where it was, and the combination, to be able to get into it.  Having this allows people attending in an emergency, to be able to open my door, and allows my carers to be able to come in, if I can't get to the door.

 

Key Safe



 

The people attending, will have been trained in moving and handling people, and will have equipment to help them.  If for any reason they cannot help, they will call the operator and ask for help from ambulance or fire crews, as appropriate.

 

I haven't had to use the care alarm very often, but it is there for peace of mind, so I know that if something happens and I can't get to the phone, I can still contact someone for help.  It also means that mum can go out, without having to worry about me.

 

Of course, the other piece of equipment I use all the time is my powered wheelchair.  How could I forget that - d'oh!

 

I have a Viper S - yes, that's S for Sports model - which was supplied by the local wheelchair services.  This is a reasonably compact model which can be used inside and out.  It has a top speed to 10 kph and a range of 20 km, when fully charged, and weighs approx 102 kg.  It can be adjusted to fit the user.  This is really important, in making sure it is comfortable to sit in and doesn't cause sores by rubbing on the legs.

 

The position of the seat can be changed using the controller, as can the angle of the back rest.  This allows me to be able to regularly change my sitting position, which is important in preventing pressure sores.

Viper S Powered Wheelchair

 

I use this wheelchair all of the time, so its important that it is comfortable and reliable.  I've had it for about 4 and a half years and in that time, it has broken down twice, once when it lost all power and the batteries needed replacing, and once when it developed a fault and needed a major overhaul.  Fortunately, there is a good service and maintenance contract in place, which means each of these issues where dealt with quickly.  On the last occasion, they needed to take the wheelchair away to overhaul it, and I was without it for 2 days.  That was a real nightmare, as I am so reliant on it.

 

I do have a manual wheelchair - which I hate.  I find it uncomfortable, particularly because it doesn't support my back properly, and also I cannot move myself round in it, as I do not have enough strength in my upper body to be able to propel myself.  I only use it on occasions where my powered wheelchair has been taken away, for maintenance, or to go to one particular hospital, where the transport company won't take me in my powered wheelchair.

 

My "horrible" Manual Wheelchair

 





One of the big issues I find with wheelchairs, whether manual or powered, is that there is no consistency in their design.  Everyone seems to have a different mechanism for releasing the foot plates, or arms.  On some the backs can be folded down for easy storage, but the mechanism to do this differs between models, and some are difficult to operate and to secure the back properly when its in the upright position.  This makes it difficult for users, and particularly medical staff, to know how to operate them.

 

But the main issue to me is with the design of manual wheelchairs, and the fact that they are not designed to help maintain a proper posture for the person sitting in them.  How often have you seen someone sat in a wheelchair, slumped forward?  This is because little or no thought has gone into the design to ensure that the user can maintain a proper posture.  Unlike a powered wheelchair, where you can have a number of moving parts, operated by the user from their controller, with a manual wheelchair, it is in a fixed position and takes little account of the needs of the individual sat in it.   Often the reason someone is in a wheelchair is that they have a weakness in their body, or a medical condition that makes mobilising themselves diificult or dangerous.  If they are then put in a wheelchair, where it is difficult for them to maintain their posture, and they become slouched.  This will only exacerbate the problem, and could easily lead to greater core weakness, and breathing difficulties from the position the wheelchair encourages them to assume.

 

Getting fitted for a wheelchair, whether manual or powered, is vital.  Not only for comfort, but to ensure that it fits you properly.  You really need to be "measured" much like you would be if you were buying a new suit, to ensure it is the right height, width and depth, for you to be in.  To low, and your knees are up round your ears when the foot plates are in.  To high, and your legs dangle down, and you can't reach the floor with your feet.  To narrow, and the sides rub on your legs causing sores.  To wide, and you won't be able to fit through doors, etc.  To deep, and you won't be able to get right back in the seat.  Not deep enough, and you'll feel like you're tipping out.

 

If you only use a wheelchair occasionally, then you may be able to get by without this, but if you sit in a wheelchair all the time, this is essential.  I had a really uncomfortable wheelchair when I first came out of hospital, and it was only when I got moved into a wheelchair that had been measured and set up specifically for me, that I realised how uncomfortable the original one was.

 

The other thing that's important is a decent cushion to sit on in your wheelchair.  Each of us are different in what we require in a cushion, but if you're sat down all day its important to have a comfortable cushion, that will help you prevent pressure soires.  I tried 2 or 3 different cushions before I found one I really liked.  Mine is made of very solid foam, and has been likened to sitting on a brick by other people, but it works for me.  You can also get lumber cushions, which can help support your back and maintain posture.

 

That's enough about wheelchairs.

 

To help me get in and out of my wheelchairs, whether to my armchair, bed or commode, I use a transfer board.  These are also called sliding boards and banana boards.  They are made of either plastic resin or wood, and are designed to be placed between one surface and another, with the end nearest to the user slightly underneath them, so they can easily slide/transfer across to the other surface.  The alternative to this for me would mean I would need to be hoisted, which is not something I want.  By using the transfer board, I can use my legs and upper body to help me move - therefore giving me a bit of exercise - and I have more independence using this.

 

Transfer Board - similar to mine

 







If you are using a transfer board, it is important to try to ensure that the surfaces you are going to and from, are of similar height.  Transferring "uphill" is difficult, and tiring.  By transferring "downhill" the transfer is easier and uses up less energy.

 

I will do a video of me transferring, in the not to distant future, to give you an idea of what's involved, and also so I can compare this to a previous video I did to see if my transfers have become more difficult.

 

There are also sliding sheets available that can be used with the transfer boards, which can make the transfer easier, but I find that they make everything too "slippery" and I do not have as much control over my movements.  I have used them if someone else is there to help me move, at a time when I may be very tired and just need to make the transfer easier.  There are transfer boards available, with sliding sheets attached to them.

 

Sliding Sheets

 

There are also large sliding sheets available, which can be used to help you move when in bed.  You may well have seen one if you have been in hospital, where they are used to move patients who have slipped down in bed.  The sliding sheet is put underneath the patient, and then the sheet can be pulled, and the patient is easily moved up the bed.  I do have one of these but have never used it at home, but it is useful to have, just in case.

 

My shower chair, also doubles as my commode

 

My Shower Chair/Commode

 

I use this without the foot plates as I can the move myself about using my feet on the floor, rather than having to be pushed around.

 

So those are items of equipment that I have, but in addition to these, Val Foreman, suggested that I should also include my computer.  This is a vital link to the outside world, especially during periods when it is difficult to get out of the house.  It allows me to stay in touch with family and friends, and to interact with various support groups, through Facebook.  It is also a vital source of information.

 

A piece of equipment I no longer have, but is worth mentioning is the Mountway Solo Toilet Lift.  Before I was in a wheelchair I used to have great difficulty getting up from the toilet.  I had used Toilet Seat Risers and even a rail round the toilet, and although these did help for some time, I would still find myself getting stuck on the toilet.

 

Toilet Seat Riser

 

Toilet Rail

 

Eventually, I got the Mountway Solo Toilet Lift.  This is a battery powered seat that sits over and round the toilet, and lifts the user to a standing position.

 

Mountway Solo Toilet Lift

This is very easy to use, and very effective.

And lastly, in my last blog, "Equipment," I mentioned the Tefal Express Boil, which I use to make hot drinks.  Frank Smith tried to purchase one on Sunday, but was unable to find it.  Sadly other people have told me the same thing, and although it still appears on the Tefal website, as well as some other retailers, it maybe that this is no longer available.  Frank instead purchased a Morphy Richards Meno One Cup, which is the same sort of thing as the Tefal. 

Morphy Richards Meno One Cup

 

Frank, is very happy with his purchase, as you will see from his blog.  Hopefully the link below will take you straight to Frank's blog.  Always a good read.





 











http://franksdermatomyositisjournal.blogspot.co.uk/


I think that's everything, but I'm sure I'll find something I've missed again. 

As always, feel free to comment on the content, or if you have other equipment you think might be useful, please let me know.

Thank you for reading.