SAFE AT HOME: SIMPLE TIPS FOR GENERAL HOME SAFETY cont.
limited mobility, and spends most of the day in the chair. Please consider getting some sort of gel cushion to prevent skin breakdown.
- Make sure that your loved one is properly assessed/measured prior to ordering, as wheelchairs come in different widths and with many options, such as: removable arm rests and leg rests, etc
- Look at Bariatric for heavier people.
- Check out the pediatric-size wheelchair for a very small, elderly family member. Measuring is key!
- Transport Wheelchair: May be an out of pocket expense (check with Medicare).
- If it is not covered, you can rent and pay monthly, and pay towards ownership as an option.
- It is a great option for taking a loved one to the doctor and you can leave it in your car.
- It is lightweight, but NOT meant for your loved one to self propel. It is strictly for caregiver transportation.
Electric Wheelchair: An entirely different category, and this discussion is best started with a therapist or wheelchair specialist.
SWELLING
(If this is an issue, talking to a skilled nurse is a great place to start) Typically, swelling is called edema. If
your loved one has swelling in his/her legs, it is important to initiate a way to elevate the legs during the day.
HYGIENE
- Pull ups: Can provide added support and protection from incontinent episodes. It is best to discuss toileting schedules and liquid consumption. If your loved one lives alone and gets up in the middle of the night, you may want to encourage him/her to sleep in a pullup, to avoid having to get up alone and use the bathroom.
- Flushable Wipes: Can be helpful with elderly population, providing improved perineal hygiene.
(Therapist training for proper sequencing)
Typically, a cane is not covered by insurance, but if it is, Medicare may only pay for 1 device. If so, it is always better to purchase a cane out of pocket, and use insurance for more expensive devices.
- Quad Cane: Can be a little more challenging for an elderly person to negotiate, especially if he/she has not previously used a cane. A narrow-based cane is easier to manage, compared to a wide-based quad cane. The reason to choose a quad cane would be for added support.
- Single Point Cane: Provides support, helping reduce falls and provide support when negotiating steps.
IN HOME CAREGIVERS
There are agencies that will provide a caregiver in your home for varying costs, whether you need two hours per day or 24 hour care, As stated below, home health aides can be covered when your family member gets a referral to receive home health care, but this may be for limited time.
HOME CARE SERVICES
A very important option for your elderly loved one if there are any health, cognitive, or safety concerns. Referrals from primary care physicians can be sent to home care agencies to start the process and check insurance. You may want to consider home health services if any of these apply:
- It is too difficult to get your loved one out of the house to see a physician.
- Recent fall or recent discharge from hospital or rehab.
- Demonstrates any type of decline physically or cognitively.
- Services can include skilled nursing, social work, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist and home health aide.
In Summary, DME (Durable Medical Equipment) is a whole new world to navigate for caregivers and may feel overwhelming. If you are concerned about your elderly loved one living alone or worried about his/her safety, it may be time to assess some of these items with a trained medical professional, to see what help your loved one needs to be safe.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Hillary Sussman has been a physical therapist for 24 years, working closely with her clients and their families as they navigated life with physical and cognitive challenges. She is the author of the Adventures of Roxy Book Series. Her physical therapy background has primarily been in the home care setting; working with the geriatric population. She works part time in an assisted living facility, where she enjoys working with her clients, their families, and staff, to improve her clients' mobility and quality of life. When her dog Roxy underwent her fourth surgery and faced losing a leg, she was inspired to write a book series about a three-legged dog to help kids who are different, live life with confidence, and not allow any limitations to hold them back. She hopes that the Adventures of Roxy book series can help all kids learn important life lessons about inclusion, kindness, empathy, acceptance, and the impact that words have on others. Hillary is a mother of three and lives in Pennsylvania. Learn more at adventuresofroxy.com