I am trying to start a thread that has only tips , tricks , equipment recommendations/reviews , how to's, things to avoid , etc. so that new comers don't have to search all post to get information that may be useful to them. I need everyone's help on this. If you would please post any tips you have to this thread (even if you have posted them in the past) and in the title put "Tip" and then a keyword IE: "Tip speech device" or "tip wheelchair". That way they should be easy to search. Try to keep post short and to the point. If you have any suggestions for me to improve this effort you can e-mail me at "[email protected]"
Tips Only Post
- Thread starter j5rj5r
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Tip speech device
I recommend a laptop as speech device because:
1) It can send / receive text messages to/from a cell phone
2) e-mail -- espcialy ALS nurse
3) can be used to comuicate if you have the ability to type or not
4) can be used as nurse call switch
5) can be used to post to ALS forums
6) cost way less than some other speech devices
The only drawbacks I can think of is portability and my wife can still go shopping useing the internet.
I recommend a laptop as speech device because:
1) It can send / receive text messages to/from a cell phone
2) e-mail -- espcialy ALS nurse
3) can be used to comuicate if you have the ability to type or not
4) can be used as nurse call switch
5) can be used to post to ALS forums
6) cost way less than some other speech devices
The only drawbacks I can think of is portability and my wife can still go shopping useing the internet.
Tip Spoons
Bought several different spoons. The best one I have found is the long handle, red, plastic spoons you get at "Dairy Queen". You can bend w/ heat if you are careful.
Drawback: They can only take so many cycles thru dishwasher
Bought several different spoons. The best one I have found is the long handle, red, plastic spoons you get at "Dairy Queen". You can bend w/ heat if you are careful.
Drawback: They can only take so many cycles thru dishwasher
tip nurse call switch
Wireless doorbell makes good call switch. Cost around $30 at Home Depot. Has two chimes. One that plugs in AC outlet and one battery powered that can be located anywhere within 100 ft. The button can put on a necklace.
Drawback: I would like a little more range.
PS - We also use baby monitor.
Drawback : I have to listen to the soaps
Wireless doorbell makes good call switch. Cost around $30 at Home Depot. Has two chimes. One that plugs in AC outlet and one battery powered that can be located anywhere within 100 ft. The button can put on a necklace.
Drawback: I would like a little more range.
PS - We also use baby monitor.
Drawback : I have to listen to the soaps
I saw a suggestion somewhere to use light weight foam from the hardware store to wrap around the handles of eating utensils. Sounds like a great idea and we intend to try this.
For opening cans there is a battery operated gadget called "NO HANDS." You sit it on top of the can and press a button and it opens the can for you! There is one for jars, but I can't find it in stores, so will probably order it over internet.
You can buy over sized nail clippers that have rubber grips at the drug store.
We bought Corel dishes, as they are lighter than ceramic or china (and don't break as easily if dropped).
You can get a catalog from the OT at the ALS clinic that has all sorts of stuff, but it is ALL expensive. With imagination cheaper versions can sometimes be made!
As a side note: My husband and I saw a commercial about an electromagnetic device that can pick up items remotely. Can't remember the name of it but thought is was really cool! You simply attach a EM strip to the items you would most want to retrieve and it "picks" them up!
For opening cans there is a battery operated gadget called "NO HANDS." You sit it on top of the can and press a button and it opens the can for you! There is one for jars, but I can't find it in stores, so will probably order it over internet.
You can buy over sized nail clippers that have rubber grips at the drug store.
We bought Corel dishes, as they are lighter than ceramic or china (and don't break as easily if dropped).
You can get a catalog from the OT at the ALS clinic that has all sorts of stuff, but it is ALL expensive. With imagination cheaper versions can sometimes be made!
As a side note: My husband and I saw a commercial about an electromagnetic device that can pick up items remotely. Can't remember the name of it but thought is was really cool! You simply attach a EM strip to the items you would most want to retrieve and it "picks" them up!
For making smoothies w/o big mess
We purchased a Magic Bullet to make smoothies and sauces. It's better than the smoothie blender we got originally. You can make one at a time and there is little clean up - it all goes in the dishwasher. (it also makes great margaritas:mrgreen:!)
We purchased a Magic Bullet to make smoothies and sauces. It's better than the smoothie blender we got originally. You can make one at a time and there is little clean up - it all goes in the dishwasher. (it also makes great margaritas:mrgreen:!)
tip Ironing board
I found this posted by "Susan AU 08" back in Jan.
The ironing board
Is great to use as a table for meals or whatever, because it is height adjustable and it has the side where there are no legs that can go right up to the body when your sitting in a chair, it's also quite sturdy for light things (not stylish! but definitely useful) and while there are better tables out there, like the ones in hospitals, we all have ironing boards at home.
I found this posted by "Susan AU 08" back in Jan.
The ironing board
Is great to use as a table for meals or whatever, because it is height adjustable and it has the side where there are no legs that can go right up to the body when your sitting in a chair, it's also quite sturdy for light things (not stylish! but definitely useful) and while there are better tables out there, like the ones in hospitals, we all have ironing boards at home.
Tip - wheel chair
Get on with the wheel chair ordering process as soon as you qualify.
when you test drive make sure you can go over an object such as a threshold at an angle at a creeping pace w/ out the slightest tendency to change directions or fish tail. This is very important! Also, you should be able to creep over an object w/ out applying full power.
floor to seat height is critical. especially if a care giver has to transfer you w/ out a lift.
A must have feature: power seat back tilt. You can tilt it back and reduce head clearance requirements so it fits in the side door of a full size van which tend to cost a lot less than vans that are customized for
for higher head clearance. I found one in great shape w/ power lift and raised roof for $6000 on craigslist.
Very important consideration: Comfort. You may spend long periods in the chair IE long road trip.
We have had 3 power chairs , two loaners and the $25000 one ordered for my wife. It is the "TDX SP" center steer and so far it's an expensive piece of crap. Still trying to get it's torque adjusted to creep and several other things that are poorly designed. If you need more info on the TDX SP send me a PM. Thank goodness we still have one of the loaners.
Get on with the wheel chair ordering process as soon as you qualify.
when you test drive make sure you can go over an object such as a threshold at an angle at a creeping pace w/ out the slightest tendency to change directions or fish tail. This is very important! Also, you should be able to creep over an object w/ out applying full power.
floor to seat height is critical. especially if a care giver has to transfer you w/ out a lift.
A must have feature: power seat back tilt. You can tilt it back and reduce head clearance requirements so it fits in the side door of a full size van which tend to cost a lot less than vans that are customized for
for higher head clearance. I found one in great shape w/ power lift and raised roof for $6000 on craigslist.
Very important consideration: Comfort. You may spend long periods in the chair IE long road trip.
We have had 3 power chairs , two loaners and the $25000 one ordered for my wife. It is the "TDX SP" center steer and so far it's an expensive piece of crap. Still trying to get it's torque adjusted to creep and several other things that are poorly designed. If you need more info on the TDX SP send me a PM. Thank goodness we still have one of the loaners.
MtPockets
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- Jun 1, 2006
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Tip Lift Chair
Someone just asked me about this on another thread. I recommend getting a name brand such as Lazy Boy. One site is at:
http://www.la-z-boy.com/furniture/catalog.aspx?colid=23
They should be available at your local furniture store. Outlets for medical supplies usually charge more for this type equipment and the warranty may not be as good.
Someone just asked me about this on another thread. I recommend getting a name brand such as Lazy Boy. One site is at:
http://www.la-z-boy.com/furniture/catalog.aspx?colid=23
They should be available at your local furniture store. Outlets for medical supplies usually charge more for this type equipment and the warranty may not be as good.
MtPockets
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- Gulfport
Tip Neck brace support device
A site for the one I use is:
http://www.homedics.com/products/ma...ers/neck-and-shoulder-massager-with-heat.html
A picture is below. It has heat and massage and can be molded tofit your neck. Very soft and confortable. About $20 online.
A site for the one I use is:
http://www.homedics.com/products/ma...ers/neck-and-shoulder-massager-with-heat.html
A picture is below. It has heat and massage and can be molded tofit your neck. Very soft and confortable. About $20 online.
MtPockets
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- Jun 1, 2006
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- 05/2006
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Tip Lift Device For Wheelchair Transfer
This is a site that has the Voyager Trac Lift System that I use to get out of bed and into the wheelchair. It will support up to 300 lbs. Very easy to use. Just push the button.
http://www.southwestmedical.com/Pat...Ceiling_Lift_w_2_Pole_Easytrack_System/1539p0
Oops. Address went long on me.
Anyway I have the 2 pole lift system. You can set up poles in any room you need to transfer and just lift the motor off the Trac, the motor weights about 12 Lbs, I think, and put the motor on the next Trac to move someone.
This company has several other types of lifts such as the Hoyer lift, which many on the forum use.
This is a site that has the Voyager Trac Lift System that I use to get out of bed and into the wheelchair. It will support up to 300 lbs. Very easy to use. Just push the button.
http://www.southwestmedical.com/Pat...Ceiling_Lift_w_2_Pole_Easytrack_System/1539p0
Oops. Address went long on me.
Anyway I have the 2 pole lift system. You can set up poles in any room you need to transfer and just lift the motor off the Trac, the motor weights about 12 Lbs, I think, and put the motor on the next Trac to move someone.
This company has several other types of lifts such as the Hoyer lift, which many on the forum use.
gbrown
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- Jun 13, 2008
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Tip for Hands
I have found an old home remedy for loosening up the hands. It was for arthiritic hand pain and stiffness, but I found it works well for helping to loosen the stiffness in my hands and joints. I know it sounds crazy, but try it, it helps. It won't do anything to straighten out fingers but it will make them feel better.
Take 2 cups of oatmeal and mix with 1 cup of water in a large bowl. Heat in microwave for 1 minute. When it cools enough to comfortably put hands into, stick hands into the mixture and rub all over the hands. Knead it over and over like you were making dough for bread. Do this until mixture cools completely. My wife usually adds a little more water and reheats the mixture and I go through the process again. When done soak hands in clean cool water. I t works like a charm.
Gordon
I have found an old home remedy for loosening up the hands. It was for arthiritic hand pain and stiffness, but I found it works well for helping to loosen the stiffness in my hands and joints. I know it sounds crazy, but try it, it helps. It won't do anything to straighten out fingers but it will make them feel better.
Take 2 cups of oatmeal and mix with 1 cup of water in a large bowl. Heat in microwave for 1 minute. When it cools enough to comfortably put hands into, stick hands into the mixture and rub all over the hands. Knead it over and over like you were making dough for bread. Do this until mixture cools completely. My wife usually adds a little more water and reheats the mixture and I go through the process again. When done soak hands in clean cool water. I t works like a charm.
Gordon
fiddleplayer51
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- 03/2008
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We too use a baby monitor and first were using the Fisher Price older model, but because of the static and interference, I searched for another kind.
We now use a Safety 1st High-Def Digital Monitor which I bought from Amazon for $59.00. It uses DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) 6.0. The 6.0 is the version number not the frequency. DECT in the US operates in the 1920MHz-1930MHz or 1.9GHz frequency band which allows for interference-free wireless operation and has up to a 1600' range.
This is proving to be a great monitor and allows me to go out to our shed, and I also take it with me when I go out to the back of our yard to hang the laundry. It's so clear that I can even hear my PALS typing on his PC keyboard when I'm outdoors. He even can type out a message for me on his Dynawrite, hit "speak" and I'll hear it.
Although I bought the device via Amazon, it actually ships from Target.
Jane
We now use a Safety 1st High-Def Digital Monitor which I bought from Amazon for $59.00. It uses DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) 6.0. The 6.0 is the version number not the frequency. DECT in the US operates in the 1920MHz-1930MHz or 1.9GHz frequency band which allows for interference-free wireless operation and has up to a 1600' range.
This is proving to be a great monitor and allows me to go out to our shed, and I also take it with me when I go out to the back of our yard to hang the laundry. It's so clear that I can even hear my PALS typing on his PC keyboard when I'm outdoors. He even can type out a message for me on his Dynawrite, hit "speak" and I'll hear it.
Although I bought the device via Amazon, it actually ships from Target.
Jane
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