Family Caregiver - Part 6 - Traveling With Elderly Disabled Wheelchair Patient

1. Traveling with a wheelchair patient takes advance planning. Even short trips require having on hand things that may be needed on short notice,
o his wheelchair or scooter, or both
o urinal, or catheter
o car seat protector in case of wetting accidents
o towels , bib or clothing protector
o tissues , hand wipes
o medications and water or other drinks
o snacks
o eating utensils
o a change of clothes for wetting accidents that will eventually occur
o and whatever else will make the trip doable.

Keep a travel bag packed with items you'll need to get though a day and keep it by the door to grab it on your way out. Always be prepared for trips that last longer than expected.

2. Making pit stops when traveling is most times inconvenient. No place to pull off the road, no privacy, raining cats and dogs. My husband uses an external catheter (sometimes called a Texas Catheter) and disposable bag to make that part of the trip easier. It took using the catheter a few times for him to feel comfortable, building his confidence that it is not visible and won't leak. Catheters can be purchased at some medical supply stores. They come in various sizes and styles dependent on patient needs. Check the internet. Some medical plans may cover the cost, but if not, they are not too expensive for occasional use.

3. Keeping a urinal in the car is a necessity. I found one I like at a camping and outdoor supply store. It otherwise found to be shaped urinals in a medical supply store, and I think its different shape makes it easier to use. E 'is also an adapter for women are available. (I have not tried it yet), is now at hand a couple around the house - bedrooms, bathroom, basement, car. They are washable and reusable forever.

4. Waterproof car seat on a pillow under the patient can do a lot more work if there are incidents of wetting and can help to push the seat too.In hot summer months I place a seat pad behind his back to protect him from the vinyl seat material that makes him sweat. In winter I don't use the pad behind his back.

5. A bib can be embarrassing to the patient when eating out. I carry a black hand towel to use in addition to the napkins supplied at the restaurant. Black or dark colors will not be as obvious to other diners as to its purpose. I keep pinch type clothes pins and safety pins in my purse to use to hold the towel or napkins in place.

6. Lodging - When booking a handi-capped accessible room make sure you ask just how accessible it is. I've booked a so called room to find the only thing HP accessible was one grab bar in the bathroom, and the wheelchair could not get through the bathroom door!

Caring for my husband these 12 years has given me a genuine understanding and sympathy for other caregivers and their individual situations. I am always looking for a better, easier way to help him through the day. If he is happy, then we are both happy.

Elderly Hygiene Products - Personal Care Products For Seniors

When people get a certain age, it becomes more difficult for them to take care of themselves. This can be because they cannot reach well enough to do so or even because a disorder prevents it. To help your loved one in your family with personal care, there are elderly hygiene products you can get for them. Many seniors appreciate these products greatly because they are embarrassed to ask for help. In addition, they would rather have products they can use themselves instead of having another person help them with this personal matter.

One of the elderly hygiene products you might find useful for your loved one is for the bathroom. Sometimes seniors are not able to fully reach where they need to, so it makes using the bathroom difficult. There is a product that actually holds the bath tissue at the end of a long handle, so it is easier to reach. This also works great for seniors with arthritis who cannot hold items well. Along the lines of this, there is a long handles hair brush. This makes taking care of their hair easier for them to do because they do not have to worry about missing a spot in the back if they cannot reach.

If taking care of their nails is the issue, there are elderly hygiene products that can help them. For their toenails, there is an extended reach cutter that helps them cut their toenails without having to bend down too far. For their fingers, there is a table top cutter that helps steady the clippers. You also could get them a lotion applicator that helps seniors apply lotion easier. It is a handle that has lotion at the end of it, so all they have to do is rub the handle on their body and they instantly have applied lotion.

There are elderly hygiene products for people who cannot bath themselves. They have the option of using no rinse bathing wipes, which make it easier to clean yourself without having to get into the tub. There also is a sponge on a stick for those who still can bath but cannot reach well enough. The handle is long enough so they can reach everywhere they need to reach without straining themselves. There are shampoo and shower basins for seniors who cannot leave their bed. We can help you with our full line of senior products.