Worried about John

nickyd

Registered User
Oct 20, 2007
146
0
53
warwickshire
What can I say Hazel, A beautiful photo, but sad at the same time, it brought a tear to my eye.
Feel for you, hope you're ok today.
Love, Nicky xxx
 

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,443
0
Kent
Dear Hazel.

It was mail order from the Daily Express, advertised to bring comfort to drivers.

I`ll see if I can find a link for you.

If not, there are foam places that cut foam to size. I`ll try to find out. They are often Mail order outlets too.

Most of my shopping is Mail Order, much easier than trailing round shops with Dhiren
.
This is one I found that might be worth contacting
http://www.foamcut2size.co.uk/cushions.htm

And this is even better and actually shows a wedge cushion

http://www.foamforcomfort.co.uk/pages/support.html

Stating the obvious I know, but just in case it`s been overlooked. Are there any higher chairs at the NH for John?
 
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Lucille

Registered User
Sep 10, 2005
542
0
Hello Hazel

Lovely photo of you and John, but I too can see the deterioration when compared to other pics you've posted.

Sorry to hear about his latest setbacks. I hope you can get something sorted from the suggestions made.

Best wishes.
 

Mameeskye

Registered User
Aug 9, 2007
1,669
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60
NZ
Hi Hazel

What a lovely Christmas photo for you to treasure.

I hope, in spite of everything, you managed to have a good day.

I would agree that the wedge shaped cushion can, if positioned correctly, work well. I used one to help slipping when I was breastfeeding for hours and hours at times.

Hopefully you will find something

Love

mameeskye
 

Nell

Registered User
Aug 9, 2005
1,170
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72
Australia
Australia - home of the Ugg boot

Dear Hazel,

I'm wondering if John would be helped at all by wearing Ugg boots - soft boots made from sheep skin with the wool inside?? We lay claim to these being an Aussie invention but I'm sure you have them in the UK too!

They are not a great idea for mobile (elderly) people because they are a bit loose fitting and can cause the person walking to stumble.

But for sitting in a chair, they keep feet warm and cosy PLUS they are gentle on the skin. Even if John pushes down on them, they should not aggravate his heels as much as other surfaces might.

Just a word of warning though - DO NOT choose cheap ones. Get the real thing - genuine sheep skin. There are some (foreign made) boots masquerading as sheep skin which are really just some form of synthetic, and I would not trust them. They are much hotter to wear (naural sheepskin is warm without being hot and sticky) and I doubt they would be as gentle on the skin.

My Dad used to get blisters on his heels and the sheep skin really helped. In his case he didn't wear the boots, just had it at the bottom of his bed.

Also, as far as the "wedge" is concerned, another option is to work out the best possible angle and the size needed, and have a piece of firm foam especially cut by a specialist firm. Here in Australia we have Clark Rubber who do this sort of thing.

You could then have a cover made (preferably removable for cleanliness sake) by an upholsterer.

There are many grades of foam rubber, so it is a good idea to get specialist advice on the best type to use for this project.

Wishing you every success in solving this problem.
 

Margarita

Registered User
Feb 17, 2006
10,824
0
london
Ugg boots - soft boots made from sheep skin with the wool inside?


My daughter got me a pair for Christmas you can get the designer label , but they sell them in Premark (or Primark not sure how to spell it )

They really in the fashion in London costing around £10/ £25 in hight street shops


They so comfortable they like a pair of slippers , not boots, but you have to wear socks with them my daughter told me , because other wise they become smelly



PS they look like this the one my daughter got me , but brown

http://www.uggstore.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=43&osCsid=bd94a97ca2ada6008382e963e965ddbe


They around £80 on an English site , my daughter who turning 21 wants the real one designer name, it was my older daughter that got me the high street one .
 
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DeborahBlythe

Registered User
Dec 1, 2006
9,222
0
.

The trouble is, John's so tall, he just can't get comfortable in a chair. I'm waiting till after Christmas, then I'll talk to them about getting him a recliner. /QUOTE]

Hello Hazel, the height thing is an often over-looked factor. In my mum's home, the bed is barely long enough for her: the carers have to be sure she is well up at the top end of it when they put her to bed. She also had difficulties with the chairs in the home and would slip out of them or look incredibly uncomfortable. She has a tilt and /or reclining wheelchair which we bought specially for her and which is comfortable enough for her to doze off in for a short while, but we had to make sure that the size was right for her because she is so long in the leg. We got a local firm to bring display models to the home for her to try out. The other issue related to height was that the baths are not big enough for her except on the top floor of the home. And there is definitely one hoist which is better for her than another. Also, with a bigger wheelchair you have to be sure it will fit into lifts, and in my mum's case would not draw up close enough to equipment in the hospital when she attended an ophthalmic O/P appointment. You'd be thinking that my mother is some giantess from reading this but she is not really. Just taller than average. I can foresee the same issues possibly arising for John, who I recall from previous pictures is a proud height for a man.
Good luck, as ever, love Deborah
 
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Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
17,000
0
SW Scotland
Yes, it's the same problem with John, he's 6'2".

They've given him an electronic bed now, so he sleeps more comfortably, but he just doesn't look comfortable in any of the chairs.

I don't think a wedge would help, because all the chairs are upright, so he'd be sitting at a funny angle, and putting pressure on the base of his spine.

I'm hoping to see the charge nurse tomorrow, he was on duty all day Christmas day, and has been off the last two days.

I'm also goimg to ask about a sheepskin mat under his feet in bed, but I'm not sure if that would be possible, they'd probably have to wash it every day.

I don't think ugg boots would work, we'd never get them over his dressings. I think a better chair is going to be the best bet.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I have considered them all.

Love,
 

alfjess

Registered User
Jul 10, 2006
1,213
0
south lanarkshire
Hi Everyone

My oldest daughter was on a course about ??? and movement (sorry can't remember) but she told me about a piece of material, which was being demonstrated that helps nurses or carers to site people in chairs without physically having to touch them. Just move this piece of material. Once in position it also stops the patient from sliding forward.

There is also one for a bed, to move them up the bed and stop them sliding down, without a lot of effort on the carers part.

Unfortunately, she has forgotten the name of these aids,(dyslexic) but if anyone is interested, I'm sure she will make a point of finding out, she must have got some literature from the course!!

Sorry to hear John has more problems, hope he recovers soon

Love
Alfjess
 

Margaret W

Registered User
Apr 28, 2007
3,720
0
North Derbyshire
I am sure you can buy sheepskin, well known for protecting the skin, and make your own boots to fit over dressings. Or large socks. If you are not very clever at sewing, just make a pair of bags, perhaps with a drawstring top rather than elastic. You might have to buy a sheepskin waistcoat from somewhere like the Edinburgh Woolen Mill, and cut it up.

Just a thought.

Love

Margaret
 

gigi

Registered User
Nov 16, 2007
7,788
0
70
East Midlands
I'm also goimg to ask about a sheepskin mat under his feet in bed, but I'm not sure if that would be possible, they'd probably have to wash it every day.
Dear Hazel-I'd imagine that the NH would have access to suppliers of this kind of thing and naturally would buy in enough to ensure a change or two when it was necessary. I'm back at work on Monday and will see if any of our medical supply catalogues have anything helpful-alternatively if I get time I'll google it!
As to the chair-would a reclining chair similar to a sun-lounger be suitable-one with a foot support attached?
Love Gigi x
 

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
17,000
0
SW Scotland
Hi folks, thanks once again for the support and suggestions.

I finally managed to talk to the charge nurse today -- they had a concert yesterday, and everyone was dashing about.

He says he's never seen anyone decline as quickly as John is doing. From being the fittest person in the unit two months ago, he's now one of the sickest.

The heels are beginning to heal, but it will be a long process. He doesn't think John will ever be mobile again, and is showing little awareness of anything. I even have a struggle to wake him enough to feed him now.

He thinks the chair would be a good idea, so I'm doing some research now. I'll probably go for the one Bruce got for Jan, though I can't get any prices over the weekend.

I'm feeling very despondent, even the 'essence of John' seems to have gone now, and all I can do is keep him comfortable.

Love,
 

Brucie

Registered User
Jan 31, 2004
12,413
0
near London
Hi Hazel

I replaced Jan's chair recently with one that has electrical controls.

The first chair was great, but as her need has grown to be moved in her position on it to prevent chafing, the home suggested the electric one, which is easier for staff.

The first chair cost about £1800 but I cut a deal with the home where they paid 1/3rd, and could keep the chair when Jan finished with it.

The latest one I paid 50% for (£1200ish instead of twice that amount] because it had belonged to the wife of another husband at the home, and he had only just bought it for her before she died. By buying it from him, it solved my problem, helped the home, made things better for Jan, and it gave him back some money. A win all around.
 

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,443
0
Kent
Dear Hazel,

What you read about the `rapid decline` after 7 years with Picks, seems to be coming true for John.
I can only imagine how painful it is for you.

Take care
Love xx
 

BeckyJan

Registered User
Nov 28, 2005
18,971
0
Derbyshire
even the 'essence of John' seems to have gone now

No wonder you feel despondent. You are obviously getting advice re chairs and you are so right - you can only do your utmost to make John as comfortable as possible.

My thoughts are with you at this very difficult stage.

Best wishes Jan
 

Mameeskye

Registered User
Aug 9, 2007
1,669
0
60
NZ
Hazel

((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))

I don't think that there is anything I can say that will help but just wanted to give you some hugs. I know what you say about the essence disappearing. In the last 4 months Mum has gone from being mobile and able to hold a brief conversation knowing me to someone who is upset, can't feed herself and pulls her clothes up.

It is horrendous to watch. I try to look for the good in things that do happen otherwise it swamps me. Part of me prays that it will soon be over while the little girl in me prays for my Mum to stay. I cannot imagine how it must be for you watching your partner go.

I think that the chair will be a great idea and I hope that you can find a good one.

((hugs))

Mameeskye