Caring for Mom or Dad
Things we discovered while caring for our Mom
By Jim and Gayle
We have always been an inventive family, and when challenged with caring for our Mom as her condition got worse, we responded to each new challenge with good logical thinking, and whatever gadgets we could find or build. As visitors came into Mom's home, they were amazed with some of our enhancements, so we want to share them with others who may face the same challenges.You may click the pictures for a larger picture and additional information.
Ring the bell.
When Mom began to need help getting out of bed, or just needed a drink or something, we resorted to the little china bell just like everyone else, but we soon discovered we could not hear it over the dishwasher or TV. We purchased two "wireless doorbell" units from one of the catalogs we get every month. By using two, we could have a button on either side of the bed, and a bell in the kitchen and the living room. Now Mom just presses the nearest button, and we can hear it all over the house. More units can be used for larger homes.
"I've fallen and I can't get up!"
There were times we needed to leave Mom alone at home. I purchased a PA-5800 alarm dialer from X-10 Corp. I mounted the receiver unit on the wall, and Mom wore the small "heart shaped" button around her neck (later on the oxygen tube) and only needed to press the button to get help.
When she presses the button, a siren sounds in the house. The unit dials the first of 4 telephone numbers, and plays a 20 second message. When I receive the call, I dial a "0" on my phone and the siren stops, and a microphone turns on, and I can hear what is happening in the house. I can then respond to the house, or call for help. If I don't answer, the unit dials the other three numbers.
Home Oxygen #1
Home oxygen can give comfort to those who need it, but that tube can get in everyone's way, and be a trip hazard. We mounted a board on the wall just outside her door with two 3/4 inch dowels 8 inch long about 18 inches apart. Now we can wind the tube around the dowels so it will be out of the way. When you wind it, use a "figure 8" over and under pattern and the tube will not twist up into knots.
Home oxygen #2
Have you ever noticed that people put the oxygen concentrator in a back room, or out of the way so they can't hear the pumping and wheezing of the unit. What happens if the power goes off? Will the family hear it? I built a power failure unit to put in the other bedroom, or the kitchen. Now when the power goes off, it wakes up the family, who can put Mom on a bottle of oxygen until the power comes back on. Below is the link to a commercially available unit.
Potty Chair
When we put a "potty chair" in the bedroom, we discovered she could easily tip it over and fall. We went to Home Depot and purchased a package of 10 36 inch nylon ties in the Air Conditioning Department. We placed the chair at the foot of the bed, and tied it in three places, high on the foot board, low on the foot board, and to the bed rail. At the rail we used two ties crisscrossed for better strength. Now the chair will never tip over. Click the picture for details.
Headboard Table
There is always a danger of rolling out of the bed, plus it is helpful to have something to pull up on when trying to sit up. At first we used a chair, and it was not too good, plus she tried to put her water glass, Kleenex, and glasses on the seat of the chair and had to reach through the chair back to get them. My brother built a special rail and table. The base is plywood that slides under the mattress. A rail goes up high enough to pull up on, and just above mattress level a table holds the water etc. The bottom is clamped to the bed rail, but the overall strength comes from being bolted to the night table.
The catalogs have a small rail for this job, or a three step "ladder stool" will work also. Click the picture for more information.
Blood Pressure
We found Mom's blood pressure was varying from very high to very low. We purchased a monitor at Wal Mart and had great results. Click the picture for details.
Blood Oxygen Level
I purchased a finger oximeter on E-bay to test Mom's blood oxygen. This saved us many trips to the ER. Working with her doctors, we developed a protocall. If she was breathing heavily, but her oxygen was 94% or higher, we just administered breathing treatments at home. This measurement would give us good insight into her true condition.
Nebulizer
We used a standard nebulizer at home, but we need something different when traveling. We investigated the small battery powered units, and decided instead to purchase a small inverter with a cigarette lighter plug, and she could use her familiar unit in the car, or a motel room. Click picture for details.
Walkie Talkies
Mom likes to get out, but she doesn't always feel like getting out to shop. We purchased a pair of walkie talkies and taught her to use one. Now she can wait in the car, air conditioning or heat on, and we can shop, yet we can check with her at any time, or she can call us any time. This is another step toward freedom.
Wheel Chair Rack
When traveling, we needed the inside space for luggage, etc, so we looked for a wheelchair rack. What we found cheapest and best was a bike rack. We adjusted the bars, and now we just lock the wheels on the chair, and slide it over the bars. Three bungee cords hold it in place. A 6X8 blue tarp and two more bungee cords will keep it dry. This saved several hundred dollars, and works great.
Sit up Alarm
As Mom's condition worsened, she would try to get up by herself to go to the potty chair. We purchased a Radio Shack "electric eye" alarm and mounted it across her bed. Now when she sits up, the alarm rings and wakes the night sitter. We mounted a "cut off" switch just outside the door. Now she always has help when she needs it.
We'll continue to update this as we discover new needs, or as people e-mail us their ideas and solutions.
We're all in this together, and if we're lucky, our parents will live long enough to need our care giving skills, and we'll get to spend the time with them while they're still here.