Category — Product Safety

From the type of bed one has to the accessibility of technology such as a phone, or TV all aspects of bedroom living are important to the individual with mobility issues or disabilities. For some individuals getting into and out of bed or a chair is a struggle, while others have difficulty with dressing and accessing technology.  In this section, some of the more popular bedroom aids will be discussed.

Beds come in various  shapes and sizes, beyond this, there are a myraid of products and aids one can be utilized to make one’s sleep more enjoyable. For caretakers and  individuals with disabilities or mobility issues the right  beds and simple products and setup can make life more enjoyable and  a lot easier.  The major categories of bed types include low beds, for individuals who are at risk for falling.  There are semi-electric and fully electric hospital beds for  those with  severe struggles.  For the less infirmed individuals with less complicated daily challenges,  one can  accessorize a  normal bed to accommodate individual needs easily.

The normal bed can be accessorizing with bed rails for safety concerns, and disposable or reusable pads for people with mobility issues or  incontinence. Tray tables, comfort pillows, reachable lights and  a bed stand stocked  with a phone, intercom access, books or a channel changer may be important accessories to some people.  A pitcher of  cold water on a bed stand can assist a person with mobility issues by helping them avoid having to get up in the dark to get a drink. Also one should note that having a place to put mobility aids within  reach for easy access in a hurry is also important.

A  chair to facilitate dressing in the bedroom is also important. Stylistically, a sturdy  bench is always a convenient accessory at the foot of a bed. In addition, some people like lift chairs to pop them out of their seats. An inexpensive alternative to purchasing a lift chair is to purchase  a mechanical lifting devise, and to place it on almost any standard bedroom chair to help lift individuals up and out of their seats. Helpful hint: Mechanical lifting devices cost somewhere in the range of $300.00, and they can be moved from place to place to provide for scenery changes and additional mobility.

Sock aids are helpful to those needing to don compression stockings and socks, hip kits are important to those who have hip surgery or flexibility issues.  Hip kits include things like extra long shoe horns to help one don shoes , and dressing sticks and reachers to help individuals reach places and items that would be normally beyond their grasp.   

The important thing about making an environment healthy and friendly to those with special needs, mobility issues, or post-surgery challenges, is to make everyday activities and items accessible.  In doing this, one may have rearranged a room or remove clutter from pathways.  Adding items like liftchairs, bed rails and tray tables may make a bedroom safer and more accommodating. Putting personal thought into your environment and the use of key bedroom items and personal product preferences that meet individual needs will translate into improving one’s healthy lifestyle and independent living needs. 

To learn more about medical supplies and bedroom and bathroom safety item,  visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com and http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2007 Medical Health Supply, Inc.  For individual Use Only.

Mobility issues can make bathroom duties difficult.  In Particular, in the bathroom, one should add grab bars or shower chairs to bathing areas to make bathing easier for people with some mobility challenges.  Other individuals, find standing for a longtime difficult or impossible.  This is where additions of such items as moveable shower heads, lower placement of shelves and countertops, shower chairs and hand-held sprayers may be important.  Many people find that living with raised toilet seats, or commodes with armrests are an important part of daily functioning.

Other convenient bath aids may include the easy to reach soap on the rope, or the ever-popular sponge or scrubber on a stick to reach in those hard-to-reach places in the center of one’s back. The long handle on a scrubber or sponge may be a must for easy access to those difficult to reach spots on ones back or feet.  This is particularly helpful for those who loose flexibility or have difficulty with reaching due to surgery.

Details in life and appropriate products are important to the bather with mobility challenges. In the previous paragraph we briefly discussed products, or necessity and bathroom convenience.   On a larger scale, one has to ask questions like is an individual’s bathroom large enough to accommodate persons needing to fit a walker in front of a raised toilet seat or a commode?  Other considerations such as wheelchair accessibility to bathing  or toileting areas may be important to considerations to those wishing to maintain independence in the home.

To learn more about bedroom and bathroom safety products and equipment visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com and http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2007 Medical Health Supply, Inc.  For individual Use Only.

Back up to the bed utilizing the walker or rollator (if utilizing a rollator, be sure that the breaks are in locked position) until your legs are gently touching the mattress at the center  point in the bed.  The center point refers to the point between the head and foot of the bed.

Reaching back with one or both arms, gently lower yourself and sit down at the edge of the bed.  Push walker or rollator to the side so that you can slide your legs around into sleep position. Keep walker or rollator within reach, so that it is available when you need it.

Helpful Hints: You may want to wear silken pajamas to make sliding easier.  Silky sheets are also helpful to make sliding into  resting position easier.

To learn more about bedroom and bathroom safety and using medical supplies and equipment, visit us at http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com .  All equipment discussed herein can be ordered at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2007 Medical Health Supply, Inc.  For individual Use Only.

To properly use a raised toilet seat, an individual should utilize his or her walker or mobility aids to get to the bathroom.  When in front of the commode, individuals are often  advised to gently turn  (not pivot)  until they are facing away from the toilet to sit.  When the back of the legs are gently touching the toilet, individuals are advised to take small steps to back up into commode position.  In other words, when you feel the back of your legs gently touching the back of the toilet, you should be properly positioned in front of a commode.

 When using a commode with armrests, reach back and place hands firmly on the armrests to gently lower yourself on the toilet seat.  Balance is important, so you may have to utilize your walker in front of the commode to gently balance and get into position if you do not have a raised toilet seat with armrests.

**If appropriate, be sure to straighten or slide your injured leg or knee out in front while lowering and siting.**

When finished, securely place hands on commode armrests, or walker to gently raise or push up from the commode. If you do not have armrests on your commode, you may have to push up from the seat or counter to raise your body.

To learn more about medical supplies and equipment, visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com or http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com.

 or http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2007 Medical Health Supply, Inc.  For individual Use Only.

Raised toilet seats or three-in-one bedside commodes are often recommended for individuals who have various surgeries including knee replacement, back or hip surgeries.  One sample guideline is that after knee surgery, a patient can be advised to utilize a raised toilet seat for a minimum of 12 weeks, or more.  In each specific case or condition, all persons having mobility challenges should discuss usage of products with their surgeon and  or consult with their primary care coordinator and/or  physical therapist regularly.

To learn more about bedroom and bathroom safety,  visit us at http://www.medicalhealthsupply.com or http://blog.medicalhealthsupply.com

Copyright 2007 Medical Health Supply, Inc.  For individual Use Only.