Slip Slidin' Away - In A Good Way

Paul Simon wrote a beautiful song by that title years ago.  It's sad and poetic and set to a beautiful melody.  The song, speaks of frustration and hopelessness that many encounter in their lives.  One of the lines in the song says "You know the nearer your destination, the more you slip slidin away".

For people with mobility challenges the phrase "Slip slidin' away" can now hold a much more positive meaning.  Folks who have trouble getting in and out of a car, or positioning themselves in a deep chair or couch should come to love the concept of "slip slidin' away" once they get their hands on this clever little product.  It's called a Transfer Slide and it is another one of those products that is amazingly simple and elegant and hard to find.  

Durable nylon fabric is sewn into a big loop. The outer surface of the loop has a coating which makes it slightly tacky.  The inner surface of the loop is slippery.  Flatten the loop out, and lay it in place (as shown below).  The user then sits on the top part of the loop and easily slides into place.  The inner surface slips on itself, and the outer surface stays in place on the users backside and what they are sitting on.  Users can move laterally and even twist with very little effort.   It's really a very clever product!           

Transfer Slide  22" x 18"

The transfer slide can be used to position patients in bed, into a wheelchair, a car, or even a dining room chair.  Its very thin and flexible so the user can remain comfortably seated on it for a meal or a short car ride unlike some of those thick swivel cushions.  Its washable and folds down to the size of a handkerchief

It comes in two sizes - 22" x 18" (shown above) and the larger 37" x 27".  The bigger size is useful for larger patients or longer distances

Transfer Slide Links

22"x18" $24.99
http://www.homehelpproducts.com/Transfer_Slide_p/50206.htm

37"x27" $36.99
http://www.homehelpproducts.com/Transfer_Slide_37_x_27_p/50409.htm

Available at

Great Grips - Inspired Simplicity

Back in college my engineering professor used to talk about designing products in terms that occasionally sounded more like an art class than engineering.  He spoke eloquently about the symmetry, simplicity, and elegance of good design.  My professors words stuck with me, but physics class eventually persuaded me to choose a different course of study.  Although I didn't become an engineer I've certainly always appreciated products that demonstrate the principles he taught us.  It's been a while since I've seen an item that more closely embodies the principle of elegant simplicity than the one below.  

Many people struggle with decreasing hand strength as they age.  Tasks that were once simple and painless can become very challenging.  Opening a door is one of those effortless tasks that can become a real challenge as we age.  Some people turn to expensive lever style lock mechanisms.  These often require professional installation, and frankly don't look very attractive to me.  

There is a simple, elegant alternative -  Great Grips


Made of a soft and flexible rubber, the Great Grip slips right over your existing doorknobs.  It latches on tight to the inner knob and the ridges and wings on the outer surface let you twist even difficult knobs without having to have a grip of steel!   I was amazed at how well it worked on doors in my home.   

Open doors with a closed fist:

Open doors with a single finger:

I've even managed to use my elbow!

 Its inexpensive ( only $4.39), durable and super easy to install.  Just dab a little water around the inside and slip it over the knob.  It dries in a minute or two and holds on tight after that.  Easily removed without a trace.

Simple, Elegant, Functional - Well Done Great Grips!

Available at:

Help For Your Independent Life

If it's not a picnic, wouldn't you rather use real dishes?

Over the course of our lives we become quite accustomed to the sounds that our forks, knives and spoons make when they touch our dinner plates or cereal bowls.  That familiar "clink" is a part of the rhythm of our lives.  My dog even knows the sound my spoon makes when I finish my cereal in the morning.  He usually gets to finish off a little of the milk. 

Unfortunately that familiar and comforting sound of real dinnerware gets removed from many older adult's regular routines.  Dinnerware that has been specially adapted to their needs is often crafted of plastic.  While these plates, cups and bowls do incorporate features that are beneficial for those with dining challenges, they still lack a bit of the ambiance that regular dinnerware has.

Wade Ceramics of Great Britain perceived this gap in our senior's dining environment and in collaboration with the world renowned University of Stirling Dementia Services Development Center created the Dignity line of dinnerware. 

Each piece in the Dignity line up is specially crafted to aid not only the mechanics of dining, but also the experience.   All Dignity pieces are finely crafted ceramic.  They are made out of vitrified earthenware with added alumina for extra strength.  Vitrification (literally to make like glass) permanently seals the piece to prevent staining or absorption of any kind.

Dignity 9" Dinner Plate

One of the first things people notice about Dignity dinnerware is the bright colors.  Studies have shown that recognition of food can be a challenge for Alzheimer's and other dementia patients.  Brightly colored dinnerware helps food stand out to them.  Greater recognition leads to greater caloric intake which is often needed in these cases.  The 9" plate shown above features a high sidewall (left edge) which allows diners to push food onto their utensils easier.  The right edge is wide and flat to assist with grasping and carrying.

Dignity Soup-Cereal Bowl

The Dignity soup-cereal bowl has a wide rim which facilitates grasping and carrying.  It also features steep sides which keep liquids from sloshing over the side, and which help to load a spoon with cereal or soup noodles.

Dignity Ceramic 2 Handle Feeder Mug

The Dignity 2 Handle Feeder Mug has an open spout which controls fluid flow, but will also allow smaller noodles and thicker liquids to pass through.  The two handle design allows diners of either dominant hand to lift and drink comfortably with one or both arms.  Larger loops allow multiple fingers to support the mug.

 

June Andrews, Director of the Stirling Dementia Development Centre says: 

"Eating and drinking is very important in demantia.  For all of us, the whole experience is crucial, not just the right food at the right temperature at the right time, but we are all affected by the ambience of the room and the company we are with.  Not least the table settings are crucial.  Having arrractive crockery and cutlery can make a big difference to our appetite and how we enjoy our food.  People with dementia sometimes have special requirements.  They need colored plates that allow them to see what they are eating and the plates need to be easy to use with rims to help scooping and lifting of food.  Cups need to have big enough handles for two fingers to slip through.  If it not a picnic, there should be no plastic." 

Dignity 3 Piece Set - Available in White, Green, and Yellow

Serve Your Loved Ones on Dignity Ceramic Dinnerware

Available at:

www.HomeHelpProducts.com

Sunglasses with both Style and Function

Most older adults wear glasses all the time to see clearly.  When they go out in the sun they have in the past faced three unpleasant choices:

1. Wear no sunglasses and struggle with the brightness 
2. Purchase expensive perscription sunglasses ( and then keep track of them)
3. Purchase clunky over-glasses sunglasses.  You know those enormous boxy unicolor plastic monsters that look like they were designed by the same guy who did the Edsal. 

The good news is that a 4th choice is now available.  Cocoons Sunglasses were designed to fit neatly right over the top of your existing glasses.  They eliminate the need for perscription sunglasses.  Better still, they actually have some style.  Check them out below: 

Shown above is the "WideLine" style in simulated tortoise shell which fits over glasses up to 5-7/16" x 1-3/8".

 

The "Pilot" style shown above in black is slightly taller and  fits over glasses 5-7/16" x 1-7/8".  

All Cocoons have scratch resistent polarized lenses that protect your eye from UV rays.  Wideline and Pilot styles both come in black and tortoise frame color.  

Each pair of Cocoons comes in an deluxe neoprene zipper case with a microfiber polishing cloth.  The case has clip for your belt, or a snap to attach to a purse of other loop.  It will keep your Coccoons safe and scratch free for a long time.

Here are the hyperlinks links to each model

Wideline style Tortoise frame             Wideline style Black Frame 

Pilot style Tortoise frame                     Pilot style Black frame

Many more great senior independence products at  http://www.homehelpproducts.com/

A Different Kind of Walker

It's becoming much more common for doctors to recommend walkers to older adults.  Even perfectly healthy seniors may have this suggested to them more now than in years past.  Why?  Falls are one of the leading causes of injury to seniors.  Doctors seem to have concluded that an ounce of prevention is invaluable when it comes to the life changing significance of senior falls.

Many seniors despair at the thought of having to lug around a clunky unattractive walker to assist them.  They picture an ugly grey metallic frame with tennis balls stuck on the back two legs.  The thought of shuffling forward and dragging a clunky walker along step by step just isn't appealing.  They also despair the struggle to get the contraption through a doorway or into a car trunk.  Who can blame them for not wanting to use a walker!

Allow me to suggest a more pleasant alternative.  The Runabout Walker is designed for people who are still quite mobile.  It features a triangular shape with 3 big 8 inch tires that allow you to easily roll just about anywhere you want to go.  This same triangular shape allows it to fold nearly flat in the blink of an eye.   The cavernous leather saddle bag also folds and stays attached to the walker.  The metal basket and plastic tray are optional and lift right off if not needed.  Combine the fold flat capability with its lightweight construction (13 lbs) and it means that this may be the perfect walker for a person with a busy schedule.

It's also a great choice for someone with a sense of style.  The red frame reminds me of the old candy apple red hot rods I see cruising occasionally during the summer.  The available blue is also a sharp color (but the red is my favorite).  Basic black is also available in case you want to stay in stealth mode.  The arms raise and lower to exactly the right height for you.  Hand grips on this unit are specially shaped to be comfortable in your hand, easy squeeze hand brakes will lock to hold the Runabout steady.   

Cruising around with the Runabout is a great way to reduce your fall risk, while at the same time staying mobile, and maintaining a sense of style.  Here's a picture:

Enjoy the great outdoors or the great indoors with the amazingly maneuverable runabout.  Available at:

http://www.homehelpproducts.com/Runabout_3_Wheel_Walker_p/50244.htm

or

http://www.homehelpproducts.com/   (in the Mobility category)

Safe Travels!

Restaurant Menu challenges solved!

No I'm not talking about what to order.  I'm referring to the problem I always have in a dark restaurant.  Even with my glasses I can't read the menu!  I've tried using the light from my cell phone, but that doesn't work very well.  It keeps turning off just when I need it, and I hate to run the battery down in case I need it later.   Even with my glasses and the right light, I still regularly run into printing that is so small I can barely read it.  We call that "Mice type" in my family.

There is a better way!

Take a look at the Pop Light Magnifier pictured below.  This little gem has a 2" x 2" magnifier lens.  It magnifies everything 2X so that even the smallest text on the menu is readable.  The lens slides into its protective case when not in use, so it won't get scratched in your pocket or purse.  Push the buttons on the side of the case and it pops right up.  Best of all it has an LED light built right in to brighten up the page without obstructing your view.  It fits neatly in your pocket or purse, so just pull it out and you can read that miniature description completely and easily.  Best of all - It's only $9.99.  Less expensive than ordering an entree that you don't like!  

Check out this and many other solutions for lifes changing challenges at the links below.

http://www.homehelpproducts.com/Pop_Light_Magnifier_p/50146.htm

  or

http://www.homehelpproducts.com/default.asp

Compression Socks Can Make You Crazy - Chapter 2

My last post introduced you to a great way to put compression socks on, but lots of people struggle to take them off also.  Skin can be tender under these socks, so dressing sticks and other long handled items just are not a good choice.  Getting the socks down to your ankle is the easy part.  Finding something to help get them past your heel is the real trick.  We've got just the thing to make removing your socks much less of a hassle.  Its called Sock EEZ and you won't believe how simple and effective this item is.   Take a look at these photos of it in action:

http://www.homehelpproducts.com/Sock_EEZ_p/50294.htm

Sock EEZ is made from a smooth rigid polymer.  It is thin but strong at the bottom, with a more hefty grip area and wrist strap up at the top.  It has a small lip on the outer edge which catches the top edge of the sock as you gently insert it between your skin and the compression sock (Upper left).  It takes very little effort to push the sock down to your ankle (Upper right).  Its clever half twist curved shape then comes into play down near your heel.  As you slide the sock down your calf the half twist in the shape allows you to easily work the tip of the Sock EEZ under your heel (Lower left).  Once you have the tip under your heel, its simply a matter of "Point your Toe and Off Socks Go".    It really is a dramatic improvement over any other method of removing compression socks. 

Don't let compression socks make you crazy
 Get Sock EEZ!   

Available at HomeHelp Products 

http://www.homehelpproducts.com/

Compression Socks can make you crazy!

There is no denying it, compression socks help a lot of people.  That being said, I hear stories about people who really struggle to get them on and off.  One friend of mine told me that her father was sleeping and showering with them on because he simply couldn't bear to fight with getting them on and off.  That doesn't sound very good to me.

Fortunately there are a couple of really simple devices that can help make getting into and out of even the strongest compression hosiery a much less painful task.

Getting them on is greatly simplified by our Compression Sock Donner pictured below:

This frame is a big improvement over donning gloves and metal racks for several reasons   1) Your can load the sock onto this frame while it sits on your lap or table.  That's a big advantage for somebody with a stiff back or limited mobility.   2) As you can see from the picture there is no bending all the way down to your toes like there is with donning gloves.  Just grip the handles and gently pull up.  3 ) The plastic frame has no weld spots or flaking chrome plating which can snag and ruin your delicate compression socks.  4) This frame breaks down into 3 pieces so you can easily take it with you.  5)  There is special guide channel for your heel so that the sock and your foot remain in alignment while you are pulling the sock up.    This prevents the frustrating experience of struggling to put your socks on, only to find that they are on cockeyed and now in addition to struggling to put them on, you've got to struggle to take them off!  

This Compression Sock frame will take the struggle out of you morning ritual.  It's made by Maddak one of the country's leaders in aids for daily living and is only $39.99.  Check in out at: 

     http://www.homehelpproducts.com/Compression_Sock_Donner_p/50086.htm

or

http://www.homehelpproducts.com/default.asp

Who knew socks could be such a pain?

A couple of years ago I strained my back lifting something.  It wasn't really that heavy, I just wasn't paying attention and didn't use my legs as I lifted.  I felt a little zing in my lower back and knew right away that I had strained it.  I figured it would be better in a few days and didn't think too much of it.  Instead of getting better it stayed stiff and got more uncomfortable.  Getting up in the morning was the worst.  After a week of feeling achy and stiff when it should have gotten better, it got worse. I woke up one morning and couldn't manage to reach down far enough to put my socks on.  Instead of recognizing the warning sign and laying back down,  I had my wife put my socks on because I couldn't bend enough to reach down to them.  My back called a "time out" about 10 o'clock that morning and I ended up laying on the floor of my office, because I couldn't stand up.  It took some meds and bedrest to get me back in the game.  I could really have used a little sock magic during that time. 

Lots of people have difficulties with their back.  It doesn't matter whether its from an injury, or illness, its still really tough to get going in the morning when your back is "out".  Putting on socks is one of the toughest dressing chores when your back is stiff.  It can also be tough to put them on if you have knee or hip challenges.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to work around this challenge is to use a little magic - Sock Magic that is.  This handy little device doesn't look like much, but let me tell you, it's exactly what you need when your back won't let you reach your toes.

 

Sock Magic!

http://www.homehelpproducts.com/Sock_Magic_p/50084.htm

http://www.homehelpproducts.com/default.asp

The white outer surface is a terrycloth with a nice thick nap.  The inner blue surface is a slippery nylon.  Sandwiched in between is a flexible plastic board which holds the shape of the device.  To use it one simply rolls sock magic into a barrel and slips their sock over the three fingers and up the body of the device.  Once the sock is in place the user holds both straps, and flops Sock Magic on the floor in front of their toes.  Point your toes, wiggle them into the sock while at the same time gently pulling back on the straps.  Your sock will slide up your foot, over your heel and up your calf just like magic!   It really works very well, and its inexpensive.  I've given them to several people with back challenges and they all think they are wonderful.

Put a little magic in your morning routine with  Sock Magic!  You'll be glad you did. 

You don't have to put up with leaks

It's not a fun subject to think about or discuss publicly, but lots of older adults struggle with incontinence. The fallout of leaks and accidents can lead to withdrawal, embarrassment, and social isolation.  Worse yet a number of skin problems can occur when ineffective products allow waste to remain in contact with skin.  Lots of products are available in most big box retailers, but the vast majority of them are focused more on price than they are on performance.

Fortunately Tranquility Products has spent over 40 years testing and perfecting solutions for incontinence.  Tranquility has developed their unique "Peach Mat" absorbent material.  It is a patented composite structure of tissues, super absorbent polymers, cellulose, and liquid dispersing materials.  This amazing material not only locks liquid away from skin, but also neutralizes the pH of urine to eliminate smell and reduce bacteria.  

Tranquility brand products are tested for absorbency in a way few other manufacturers test.  Most companies simply dunk their products in a test solution and weigh how much has been absorbed after the product has completely swelled up (a test called free swell capacity).  This test doesn't really have much to do with real world performance.  A product that is under pressure (like when you are sitting or laying on it) simply doesn't hold the same amount as one in free swell.  Tranquility goes one step further by spinning their products in a high centrifuge for several minutes.  This puts pressure on the product and forces out any liquid that isn't really locked in tight.  They call the result a garments Capacity Under Pressure.  This type of test is used on all Tranquility and Select products to accurately reflect how they will perform in real world situations.  When Tranquility says its Premium OverNight Disposable Underwear will absorb an amazing 34 Ounces of liquid you can believe it will not only absorb that much, but also will hold it all in when you sit down or roll over in the night!  

These fine products are not available at big box retailers.  Tranquility provides them through a network of carefully chosen dealers.  HomeHelp Products is proud to provide these products to the public.
You can check out our full assortment at the following links:

http://www.homehelpproducts.com/category_s/77.htm

or
http://www.homehelpproducts.com/