1 - we’ve been using these nappies for Mum. The medium ones are a bit too snug but the large ones are too big. Does anyone know of any other nappies which have a size in between medium and large? Also, are these ever on offer anywhere?
2 - with Summer coming, what kind of bags do people put these in before putting them in a grey bin? She is only letting us change them once every 2 days so they are quite pungent.
3 - we had an appointment to the eye clinic this week. It took us about ten minutes to walk to the end of the street before she got in a taxi. She has a few appointments coming up. Are there any places which rent out wheelchairs, or can we get one cheap somewhere? Or even better, can we get one for free (sorry I had to ask, lots of people beg for free things so I am going to follow suit!).
4 - does anyone suffer from arthritis and do you still get appointments at the hospital? Prior to covid, we used to go at least once a fortnight. We’ve not been for over 2 years now. Do they just discharge people now? I’ve tried calling and was told they would get back to us twice but they haven’t done.
Sorry for all the questions. Sorry for not logging in more. I’ve not been too well and life seems to just take over - work, Mum, crazy family, monstrous neighbours, illnesses.
I hope you are all keeping well and life is OK for you. Loads of hugs x
Hi @ontheverge - good to see you posting again. Do pop into Roll Call for a chat!
Can’t help with the nappies situation, as the last time I had to deal with that was over ten years ago, and things have changed a lot!
Wheelchairs: some Red Cross services offer rentals on wheelchairs. But if your mum is really struggling with walking now, contact your GP for a referral to the Community Physiotherapist, who will assess your mum for mobility aids. If they agree she needs a wheelchair, one will be provided on loan from the NHS.
Hi @ontheverge lovely to see you posting, though sorry everything is as hard as ever.
Re the nappies/ pads, not my area of expertise, but you could ask district nurse for advice or a referral for your Mum to the incontinence service ( I know with children they measure the child to ensure the best fit.) Others will have better advice, I’m sure.
Re arthritis, what type does your Mum have?
Every fortnight sounds unusual, unless they were tweaking/ administering meds for rheumatoid arthritis or she was having a course of hydro therapy or physio.
Re wheelchair I agree with @Charles47 . I have hired one from Red Cross before, some charity shops/Freecycle/ Reusers etc have them but an assessment by OT is better. Though your Mum maybe able to get hospital transport to appointments too.
@ontheverge good morning , I was going to say what melly1 said about the district nurses. They would know about nappies etc.and I have heard that Argos sell wheelchairs and disability items it may be worth looking on there. I hope you find the things that you need.take care.
@ontheverge …..Hi, If mum has any appointments at hospital she may be eligible to use the free hospital transportation service and they would then pick her up and take her to and from her home address. May be worth checking with the hospital/your local healthcare authority?
Thanks all for your replies. I’ve only just realised what hospital transport is. If they came to get her, would they take her in a wheelchair from the house to the end of the street? Will they ask if any of us drive because 3 of us do (not that anyone would take her!).
I might as well buy a new wheelchair.
With regards to the arthritis, she has one type in her hands and another in her legs. We used to go for the wax hand treatment (large vat with warm wax in it).
Is an OT the woman who comes to the house and teaches you some exercise? She said Mum is fine and offered her another walking stick about 2 years ago but Mum said no. In her mind, she is still a spring chicken and can it all on her own.
@ontheverge i don’t know if they would take her to the end of the street in a wheelchair.but i cannot see why not. Is that because they cannot get to her front door.is that the reason why she would have to go to the end of the street. You would have to ring them and ask them. I need to go to the hospital for a scan.i did not know it existed I found out and i rung the place up. I spoke to the lady she asked me a couple of questions I think she asked me if i was ill, and if i did not have anyone to take me. I said yes i was ill and i did not have anyone to take me. I explained how i was, and she said when i got appointment to ring up and they would book me in and that the people would help me.i said when i got to the hospital need a wheelchair cos i could not walk that far.she said they have them.she said don’t worry they will help you.Perhaps you could ring the number of the hospital transport where you live and have a chat with them first like I have.
The woman who came about exercises and offered her another walking stick is that physiotherapists. OT occupational therapists, they sort of look at how you do things and advise how you do them and suggest help and adaptions and equipment to help. These two sorts of people can work together. Like say your mum cannot walk, an OT would come out and see your mum see how she is and say what they think be best. So you could see about one coming to see her about a wheelchair. Would she need to use it a lot. I think there may be criteria to getting one I don’t know there was in the hospital but in the community may be different. That’s why I also mentioned Argos someone said that Argos sells wheelchairs and disability items . May be cheaper than these care places. Hospital transport do have their own wheelchairs. In your area where the OT are based you could always give them a ring no harm in asking.take care.
When my mum went to and from hospital the carried her in her chair from the house and down two steps. Is there any reason why ambulance staff could not do something like this for mum? Has mum applied via the doctor or occupational therapist for a chair?
Hello, On The Verge. Nice to see you with us again. Hospital Transport should have a wheelchair or mobile chair available to transport someone a reasonable distance from the house to the ambulance. I would not regard “end of the street” as unreasonable if there really is no alternative
There are plenty of second-hand wheelchairs around, if you want to avoid the expense of a new one - a few hundred pounds. Look around to see any advertised in local papers, community magazines or the like. If there is a Shopmobility near you they often have used wheelchairs for sale. You could also try Citizens’ Advice. Used wheelchairs for sale often formerly belonged to people that have died, so be tactful if you go this way.