COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
i would like to mention some implements that have been a great help to me. Of course I am along in years so need lots of help.
A dressing aid Mine is blue with a shoe horn at one end and hook on the other. Helps me reach and pick up things on the floor and dress.
The new incontinence briefs are good enough to wear as panties.
A terry covered sock puter on is invaluable to me.
I don't walk easily and have a walker with little skies on two legs but
I recently bought a 3 wheel walker by Karman from Walgreen for under $100 that I love!
A dressing aid Mine is blue with a shoe horn at one end and hook on the other. Helps me reach and pick up things on the floor and dress.
The new incontinence briefs are good enough to wear as panties.
A terry covered sock puter on is invaluable to me.
I don't walk easily and have a walker with little skies on two legs but
I recently bought a 3 wheel walker by Karman from Walgreen for under $100 that I love!
I do not need the use of any, at this moment but seeing i no longer shower, i need to rig up something to support me getting out of the bath tub....i'm leaning more to some sort of rope thingy hanging from ceiling so i can hold on to while getting out.....
Have you considered the chair or bench w/hand held shower-head,
The chair has a back to it and is very light weight / simply place it outside the tub/shower upon completion of bath time and use it as a crutch. Even, as you mentioned previously, I frequently procrastinate
about any bathing routine. The chair/bench has certainly been a big help. Also, take a shot of rescue before and another shot after this ordeal.
Good luck !!
The bath i can lay down n relax, listen to the radio n have a good soak in hot water......getting out i do not dry myself too much but use a terry towelling dressing gown instead.....im usually a bit breathless so this allows me to sit n calm my breathing before i get dressed...
Besides it takes me a few hours to psyche myself before hand as i know exactly how im going to feel.....Once such a natural non-event is now a task.....
..
http://goldviolin.blair.com
You may not see any products you want/need, but I find it gives me a clue as to what is possible.
I'm a soaking bath person with bath salts, bubbles, oil, perfume, etc. This has always been the way I absolutely relax. (Just a couple of days ago I purchased a sprayer for my bathroom sink because washing my hair over the tub was getting dangerous.)
They have to be on a smooth surface but are supposed to hold quite a bit of weight. Not sure I would trust them but they are cheap.
I definitely could not use a shower stall that had doors that trap the steam. That is probably your biggest hurdle. I am as short of breath as anyone can possibly be and still be on their feet but I can, with, much effort, manage a shower every couple of days and a shampoo not quiet as often. Were my hair shorter it would be a shampoo when showering.
Do You remember the bed lifts that they use in the hospital to pull yourself up? Maybe there is a home modification for those. Check around the internet.
Peace and comfort to you an all in the forum.
Anna.
The stick on handles are worthless. And so is a bar i found that is supposed to clamp to the tub side.
I found some grab bars that I installed in my bathroom that look like & I use like towel racks, but i can grab it if needed as i get out. (sideways they are great at doorways)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Glacier-Bay-9-in-x-7-8-in-Exposed-Screw-Assist-Bar-in-White-GB-GRS09-01/203440443?N=5yc1vZbz9r
I also, but a super heavy duty bar that lifts (if i want) across the front of my tub that i can pull myself forward on;
http://www.homedepot.com/p/MOEN-30-in-x-1-1-4-in-Flip-up-Screw-Grab-Bar-with-Paper-Holder-in-Peened-Stainless-Steel-R8962FD/203623693?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-203440443-_-203623693-_-N
these are just pictures to get the idea, both come in variety of lengths.
the lifting one I have is 48" long & even has a leg that it sets on when down for more support.
it's installed so it sets across the front of my tub where the faucets are; is wonderful to pull myself forward & up with. (we did have to "reinforce" area of wall to bolt it to)
those fold up ones are kind of "pricey", but are really handy several places in my house; I have 1 step to drop down to kitchen & a i put a shorter one on each side of wall as the door is in the middle of the wall with no side walls that "traditional" grab bars could go on.
(lots of places to shop online for "grab bars" and price can really vary)
I also found a bathtub bench that you sit on outside of the tub & then put your feet over the tub edge & 'slide' in or out. (for the tall tub, it took some looking to find one sturdy when set to proper height.
and I put a handheld shower kit on it---but I like getting into my tub for a nice soak so I don't use the chair---it will come in handy if i get to the point it is needed.
When I cared for mom in her final months I did a lot of "staregically placed) grab bars so she could get up from chairs, down the step & move around the house safely without her walker (she kept falling in the walker at one point). it was a good investment as now it is there for me to use. Of course if you were in a rental I don't know if land lords would let you bolt these things to walls.
It is a Panasonic (110 CFM) with a Humidity & Motion Sensor (Merely an example. Not endorsing, there are others out there just as good or better). The nice feature was it involved no special wiring or wall switch. It automatically detects if youre in the shower and when you leave and the water is off. It has made a world of difference. A side benefit has been a dramatic reduction in mold, thus less frequent use of Tile-X which often drove me out of the house. Smile.
So i am really paranoid about showers....
Back in a previous life I had several painful misadventures with hot water valves, although the cause was from an entirely different activity. However, the child-proof craze was in full swing and I discovered that they sold special compression washers which increase the amount of force needed to operate valves, and sleeves which cover round handles and act like child-proof medicine caps (have to squeeze then turn). Which is appropriate or even available depends on the type and brand of faucets you have. My own shower has round knobs with ancient door handles sleeves still there since the kids were little.
I have not seen any recently and a quick search didnt discover any sold by any major retailer, but surely they are still out there somewhere. They still sell soft spout covers which since at our age falling can be a problem is probably not a bad idea. Unfortunately they seem to only come as whales, hippos, and gaters. Smile.
I went thru my whole house & did it---my patient toddler pried the prong things out of the electrical socket & almost choked to death on it :/
actually, many of those child proof things could work against those of us that have arthritis in our hands. I doubt if i could squeeze & turn those handle things.
hmmm, the hippo --- I like that one for your "dora" theme, gnott hahahahahha