You never know when a little hint might come in handy. I’m always thinking, I’m sure there’s an easier way to do this. It takes a while to find the right combination, but the end results are worth it.
1. A gooseneck portable floor lamp easily approaches the bed or wheelchair for reading.
2. An adjustable folding table is useful for reading, since it can be tilted to hold the book or magazine at a comfortable reading angle, and it moves easily on the mat when it needs to be removed. It also works well for snacking away from the kitchen table.
3. Setting daily doses of pills the night before is a time saver when you don’t know how the next morning is going to start. Divided pill boxes work and are easy to take on the go. I saved the dosing cups from her trip to the hospital and use them to store and separate her pills for the day, nesting one inside the other, stacking them in the order they are to be taken. It is also easier for helpers, CNAs, if the pills are already distributed in the dose to be given at specific times. You will also know if you have missed a dose if the pills are still in the container that should have been emptied two hours ago.
4. Bibs save labor. Get them long and wide enough to do the job. Secure the sides of the bib to the fabric of the patient’s pant legs with clothespins to prevent it from slipping out of position. When without a bib, use a kitchen or kitchen towel held over the patient’s shoulders with clothespins. When eating off a bib it can be embarrassing for the patient. I bring a black hand towel to use in addition to the napkins provided at the restaurant. Black or dark colors won’t be as obvious to other diners as they are for your purpose.
5. A simple plastic tablecloth can make life so much easier. Be sure to place a cloth placemat or tea towel on the table to receive hot dishes or you will melt the plastic table cover. If you really like fancy tablecloths, you can protect them with clear or frosted plastic sold by the meter at fabric stores like Jo-Ann Fabrics. Clean the plastic with soap and water and give it a thorough cleaning with disinfectant spray.
6. A Tip on Using the Pneumatic Mechanical Patient Lift – Getting Off the Floor – Occasionally, you will stumble and fall due to your inability to maintain your balance. Most of the time, to get him up, we’ve been able to get him to turn around and get his legs under him into a kneeling position and hold on to a chair or other sturdy object that can support the weight of him getting up (with my aid) .
This time he was determined to sit on the floor to examine a project he wanted to work on. He knew there was no room for him to maneuver. I had to use the mechanical pneumatic patient lift to get it up again and was glad to have it stored where I could get it out and put to use. He wasn’t happy that I couldn’t lift him, but without that lift, he probably would have spent the rest of the day in there until he could get help lifting him.
