Helpful tips

[Monkeyfeet1]

I have just read photo1250s response and realise I have learned more here than elsewhere. My OT is lovely but doesn’t understand the disease. He gave me a stand aid which isn’t helpful at all whereas a friend showed me how to use a transfer board and I’ve ordered one! I had a tip from the hospice to wear a towelling robe instead of trying to dry myself. And I’ve also bought a satin sheet to help me turn in bed. What are your tips?

[Derkie54]

Hello,

My wife can no longer stand unaided so washing hair in the sink is a thing of the past, I cannot hold her up and wash her hair at the same time. We have found an inflatable hair basin that you place on the bed, it has a small cutout in the side for your head and the carer can then easily wash the hair.

Also we are now constant companions, I have retired early so I can be at home with my wife. Mind you, I can't be sitting next to her 24/7 and she can't do anything on her own so our solution was to get a new phone with speed dial on it. I always have my mobile on me so if I'm in the garden or elsewhere at home and she needs me she simply presses 1 ( to dial my whole number would be hard for her) and I can return.

Two new commodes, with mobility gone we decided it would be a good investment. One by the bed & one by the sofa, it's not such a journey now to spend a penny !!

Not earth shattering ideas I know but it does help us and I agree with you, we have picked up a lot more tips here on the forum than anywhere else.

Take care

Derek

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to Derkie54]

🙏🏼thank you for those tips. It’s amazing what w e can learn from each other xx

[Photo1250 in reply to Derkie54]

Hiya Derek, (and for everyone else). I bought one of these to monitor Adrienne when I needed to leave her for any length of time. Allows me to garden, shower, hang out washing, etc. The infrared at night is superb. As Adrienne is in bed (living room), I can spend time in the kitchen doing chores, watching tv, etc.

Ian

Very smart little camera. App on your phone.

[Gill-C]

Looking to the future, the MSA Trust has a detailed information sheet specifically for OTs. They sent one out to my OT, who disseminated to the rest of her team.

My tip is to get your accessibility options enabled on your mobile - dictating is so much easier than typing for me.

We also have Alexa in all rooms (other makes are available). Great entertainment value and, more importantly, you can get her to make calls for you and use her as an intercom to people in other parts of the house.

Gill x

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to Gill-C]

thank you, Gill! Unfortunately, Alexa doesn’t understand me! 😂 my husband (who was working upstairs) thought I must somehow have a guest but it was just me shouting at Alexa! I must look at those accessibility options…

[Lassie1331 in reply to Monkeyfeet1]

We had a télécare for my husband if I was out shopping or meeting up with a friend in case he fell. After a year we hadn’t used it and worked out it had cost us over £300. I then looked for another solution and found a very simple phone with an SOS button (as his hands don’t work now) and could program it with firstly to phone me, secondly to contact our daughter and thirdly our son. It’s very convenient and only cost £25 on eBay and you can buy a £10 sim which lasts forever unless used often. I also bought a plastic case for the phone which can be hung round my husbands neck to ensure he has it close. We are fortunate that our family stay close by so could be with my husband within 5 mins.

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to Lassie1331]

I’ve got a bell from Amazon x

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to Gill-C]

I’ll also look for the OT factsheet - I know my physio and GP have found them really helpful x

[Whitefeather1]

I understand completely what you mean, I learned much more from this site than anywhere else!

One I used for my friend because she used to slip down the bed ( she couldn't move at all once laying down ) was to use flat bed sheets so I pull her/slide her back up from the head end of the bed.

X

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to Whitefeather1]

Thank you 🙏🏼 I slide down the bed too!