A handy equipment list...

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Based on a conversation elsewhere, I wondered whether it was worth a thread about equipment people have found helpful.  I guess I am particularly thinking about mobility issues - but anything is fair game.

Here are my initial thoughts... I might add something else later.  Feel free to reply to add anything you find/found useful.

Disclaimers: 

  • No endorsement of Amazon or Argos implied.  Your local mobility shop will likely have the same / similar and it would be good to support them.  I just bought a lot of stuff from Amazon while sitting next to Fi in hospital - sometimes that is all you have the capacity to do.
  • At least some of this equipment is best used after consulting with an OT - but at least if you know it exists then you are better informed when you start a conversation with the OT. (And some of it is a no-brainer.)

Pete

Getting around and in and out of the house

We replaced our front and back doormats with non-slip half steps to help her getting in and out of the house: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5728552

I did also fit c couple of grab rails at the top of the stairs.  Though it wasn't long before OT came out and fitted a load more.  I think I bought these ones: https://www.amazon.co.uk/NRS-Healthcare-F19467-Plastic-Fluted/dp/B00A7ULJ7Q

Shower

We bought a cheap shower stool from Amazon - which was excellent for a few months and then OT installed one on the wall - which was a little too big for our enclosure - but was very sturdy.  Here is the one I bought (also disassembled nicely and just fit in the suitcase for holidays): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drive-Lightweight-Height-Adjustable-Rounded/dp/B008CFSUS4

I think all showers should have grab rails.  We're none of us getting any younger.  We bought this beefy thing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kamanan-Handles-L-Shaped-Handrail-Bathroom/dp/B0C2TDFKTG

Bed

We bought a bed lever which helped Fi as her core strength was going so she could use her arms better to get in and out of bed.  Though you probably need an OT to advise where to position it.  

Bed Lever: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aidapt-Lever-Slatted-Eligible-relief/dp/B00UC1TEAO

Personal alarm

This was something I discovered several months later than we needed it.  Basically a wireless doorbell with pendant buttons that you can hang round your neck.  I put the doorbell button on the wall where Fi slept and she wore the pendant during the day.  Sounders upstairs and downstairs meant that I could always get to her.  Did she occasionally use it to terrorise me, you ask?  You bet.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Caregiver-Wireless-Personal-Waterproof-Transmitter/dp/B094GY9D1Y

Also... Fi's confidence was shot to pieces after one of her hospital stays.  This was really useful for about four months to give her the confidence to feel she could go for short walks on her own and still summon help when she needed it.  It's an emergency cell phone in a watch.  We used it with cause on a few occasions (and accidentally on quite a few occasions).  They were good at answering the phone (Fi used to accidentally call them a couple of times a week) - and they were very understanding and helpful.  Not super cheap - but really valuable for giving Fi some independence back.  https://www.yourstride.com/personal-alarm-watch/

  • Great stuff Pete. This is all very fresh in my mind from OT visit last week so in addition to the above:

    Personal alarm

    After a lot of deliberation I went with this one as it has an app so wherever you are it alerts you on the phone. This means I can go in the garden without worrying I won't hear an alarm.

    SINGCALL Tuya Wifi Personal Alarm Calling System (Equipment Upgrade), Panic Alarm System for Elderly/Patient/Disabled, 1 Tuya Wifi Smart Plugin Receiver + 2 Home Portable Call Buttons : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

    Webcam

    Again a piece of mind thing. There's loads out there that are all pretty similar. Jilly sleeps downstairs so when I wake up I can quickly check if she's awake yet and hat she hasn't fallen or anything. This one also allows audio so we can speak to each other through it.

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08K3M6N7C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Walker

    Before surgery the tumour had already impacted Jilly's mobility so borrowed a walker from my mum which greatly helped with going for walks. It's quite a fancy one with big rubber wheels but has been worth it's weight in gold. Initially she struggled a bit with the emotional side of having to use it but now it goes everyone with us. If we take it to a garden centre it gets a lot of admiring glances Joy

    Carbon Ultralight (byacre.com)

    A mobility centre will have much cheaper options.

    Perching stool 

    We got one of these from the OTs which helps with kitchen jobs like chopping veg as Jilly can't stand for too long. 

    Toilet seat 

    If you've had kids then this is similar to what you might use when toilet training except it's obviously bigger and just raises the seat a few inches which helps with standing up again. Again from OT so no link.

    Adjustable Bed

    Jilly was really struggling with pressure in her head early on and after surgery so I looked around and found one of these for £50 on Gumtree. Ideally an OT would advise but I was panicking a bit at this stage. This means she can sleep with her head raised but it also really helps with the mobility side of things so that she doesn't have to try and sit up in bed to get get out.

  • Mobile Band

    We have found one of these useful. Mum still has the ability to use her phone so she wears this so she can carry it with her and gives peace of mind she can call someone if she needs to. She struggles with walking and falls so this means she doesn't have to carry anything.

    Ailzos Cell Phone Leg Band Equestrian Riders On The Leg Cell Phone Holder for Calf, Running Workouts Arm Band Strap Pouch for Jogger for iPhone 6 6S 7 8 X Plus, Samsung Galaxy S9/8/7/6, Black, Large https://amzn.eu/d/7200oGz

  • Probably a silly question but is there some kind of alert system that can alert family members of emergency that are not in the home without the costly monthly subscription?

  • HI Vicksta, I guess it depends on the scenario e.g. a loved one calling for help or a device that tracks falls.

    I needed an SOS button for my wife and the Singcall device has worked fairly well. It does sometimes stop working if not used for a while so I make a point of testing it every few days. It sounds an alarm in the house which can be positioned anywhere within WiFi range and alerts your phone if you are internet connected.

    I've found this and the camera I mentioned great as I can talk to her through the camera and check what the problem is. 

    Hope you find something suitable,

    Chris

  • This post has popped up at just the right time. My husband is getting into the condition when he is not able to get up when he sits in sofa or from lying position. Needs a hand to hold. He use to call me from his phone but now he is not comfortable with that. Also he is a bit wobbly while walking. Last 2 days he was sleeping downstairs whilst I was working upstairs, he had to call me couple of times as he urgently wanted to go to toilet. I was thinking of some simple alarm which he can ring. Thank you so much for such a detailed post Pete. It’s really helpful.