Ideal for the Disabled

Re: Ideal for the Disabled

albatross — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:08:08 GMT

http://www.thaicraftwarehouse.com/tcwProduct.php?fashid=7403&currency=2&advid=frg

we need something like these or the pattern I've also found online.

Due to a fractured neck of femur which was incorrectly repaired, one leg is about 3" shorter than the other and has limited mobility in the hip. So she can't reach the toes on her left foot. So putting pj bottoms on is very awkward and involves a grab and trying to hook the pj leg over the toes and trying to pull it up, then somehow managing to get the other leg in. The other leg is encased in bandaging due to a (year old) insect bite ulceration, so pj trousers are tight to pull on even if I am doing it for her (which I have been doing every night since a recent fall has made her less mobile). So for the last month she hasn't been able to manage to put them on by herself.

she could have a nightie (which she does in summer) but it's too cold in winter, plus she needs the security of occasional incontinence pads (yes she can have the new type of "nappy" but although we have one on trial, that is one step too far along the "old and incapable path" at the moment for her to consider.

My problem is she hates going to bed, goes late because she can then sleep through and get up at sensible hour of 8ish, but it means I now don't go to bed before 1am (an 11:30-12:00 start takes that long before she is settled) which is fine until they finally sort my new job out and then I could be at work in the mornings, plus I really want to go to bed when I choose occasionally.

your third site might have something so I'll look through the selection there, many thanks

Re: Ideal for the Disabled

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:16:37 GMT

Found these are they what you mean?

Wrap around PJ

Sewing pattern (this is for men but if you know what you are doing l am sure is adaptable?

Mixed sewing patterns (loads)

Wrap around skirt and loads other disabled clothes

Re: Ideal for the Disabled

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:10:23 GMT

Helping hands are ideal and not to expensive. My folks use theirs all the time. It not only has the grabber but also a small magnet on the end for pins and things. You can get them from the disability stores and l think off amazon.

Re: Ideal for the Disabled

albatross — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:43:58 GMT

good ideas, think I might get for my disabled mum.

Things we have bought for her which are really useful:

a mesh bag for her zimmer - small items fall through as it's like a fishing net but if you put a plastic bag inside first then it's great
an automatic can opener - by culinaire from Amazon which was cheaper than from high street shops
an automatic jar opener - as above
a long handled shoe horn
a noise activated plug - great even for non disabled if things like telly plugs are out of the way - all you do is clap your hands twice in short succession to turn it on, and the same again to turn it off. Mum has her bedside light plugged into it and doesn't have to lean over or sit up to activate it. We bought ours from a small store but then saw them in Store 21 I think it was. Under a tenner.

All I need now is to make/find pyjamas which wrap rather than pull on - would be great for people with legs in plaster too......thai drive in pants are the right sort of idea but huge for mum and a tad expensive on a pension, so looking at adapting shop pairs, or downloading the pattern and getting sewing.

Just bought mum a space pen refill to fit (we hope) in a Parker pen. Space pens are too big for mum to hold and write to her pen friends, the new slimline one was a possibility but this if it works is a cheaper option. If you write a lot when you are propped up or can't see very well and have to hold the paper upright near your eyes then pens stop working because the paper is nearly vertical and the pen slants severely. So a space pen should help...

Re: Ideal for the Disabled

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:12:44 GMT

Have another aid.

My dad has profound hearing loss. The hearing aids are a waste of time and he still couldn't hear. Then he had a home check by the social services deaf department (not sure what they are called but ask social if you have a need)

The gave my dad a hearing aid box. The Minicom+ It has been pretty good most of the time allowing him to hear but kept fading, we found last night press the headset connector down and it reconnects then is fine no need to hold it down just put it down and leave it. This is the only bug.

Then last night reading through the info my folks got (l ignored it before) l realised a fantastic thing. If you remove the microphone (on a 3.5mm jack) and put a phono in connected to a radio he can once more listen to the radio.I tried it tonight and my dad heard the rasio first time in ages. Once he is at the home l will show him how to use it, wont do it at the hospital they will screw it up somehow and loose something.

If the disabled person is into tv then it can be connected to a phono to scart and into the tv or whatever.

Here is the supplier. My mum had to order a new headset and it came the next day, very helpful staff and fast.

Re: Ideal for the Disabled

Vicky RVN — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:16:15 GMT

Cool...could be an idea for mum for her bday, she's into her cooking

Re: Ideal for the Disabled

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:47:14 GMT

I got mine from waterstones but if you put Gimbles book holders in google or amazon or whatever. If you just put Gimbles there is all sorts of things called that so you need to specify what sort of gimble.

Re: Ideal for the Disabled

Vicky RVN — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:44:33 GMT

That's a fab idea, not seen them before, it would be good for a cook book as well!