PLANNING AHEAD.....CAN IT BE DONE?

Jack and I have made changes, some for the good, some for the better!

In California, our health insurance was much less and handled  through less effort on our part.  Here we have to buy our supplement insurance at a great cost and our prescription insurance as well.

Changing from an HMO to independent insurance means we can select our doctor...which was a problem at first but we chose a local small town clinic.  The doctor is young and very caring.  He does referrals much as the HMO did.

 

Planning ahead: I am taking a lifetime care insurance as well.  If you can work that into the budget it is well to start it as early as possible.  You never know when you might be the one needing the care.  Our agent advised me in this area, Jack couldn't have the insurance because of his age and health problems (heart and Parkinson's).  Mother has health care only in the home, which I am sure she thought was what she wanted, but isn't always the practical choice.  You have multiple options in this area.

Everyone can start early to make changes in their home as they upgrade or repair.  We are installing another handicap stool in one of the bathrooms and hardware in the showers and sinks can be changed to handicap.  These are as attractive as  the others.  No one except the homeowner will notice the difference.

Big doors everywhere.  Spacious arrangements of furniture, less is best.   Buying a home, think twice about multiple stories, steps up and down at entrances, lawns  where a wheel chair can be easily parked, scooters can roam, power chairs can maneuver easily.  Putting in sidewalks, make them wide and no sharp turns.  Jack's control isn't always the best. 

Changes to the home can sometimes be assisted by Veteran agencies.  Jack is a veteran but does not qualify.  So we always have to have doctor's prescription and then there is some income tax help.  

We are very fortunate to have the availablity and use of a extra large handicap bathroom.  The roll in shower is wonderful and the sink counters are low and have cut outs where Jack can get right up to the sink.

Another necessity that is often overlooked is the effeciency of the air conditioning and heating system in the home.  Some patients' comfort is so dependent on the environment of the  house.  When purchasing, repairing, replacing, or upgrading, look into ways to not only insure the efficiency but put the therometers low where the handicapped person can control the temperature.  Most are high on the wall.  There is probably a good reason but perhaps the installer can make adjustments.

When installing or changing cupboards or closets be sure someone in a wheelchair can reach clothing they need.  Sure they have someone available usually, but the feeling of independence is very valuable.

Carpeting: color, stain resistant, wheelchair assessible.  Ever try to push a chair in deep pile?

Storage of medical supplies.  This is a biggie with us.  In California I has a small bedroom that was dedicated to medical supplies.  Home health nurses commented on how well organized I was......here there isn't the room and I haven't  utilized the space I have to the best yet........at least I am still having to hunt too often.  

Finding a local supplier for wound care and other supplies was another problem, but we are a firm believer in buying local and we are quite satisfied with the local company.  We seem to get good service on Jack's power chair as well.   Hee Hee -even if I have to get batteries from a farm supply company.

Our vehicle is a Dodge Grand Caravan converted by Braun Company.  We DO NOT have anyone locally to work on the handicap mechanism closer than several hundred miles.  The local dealer said he would help us find a company that did that work.  And he said there are very few vans like ours in the immediate area.  Guess that is why when we go shopping or out for a day, people stop and watch as we open the van ramp, doors, back storage, etc. all by remote.  I am getting used to box boys coming to a stop and staring as everything opens up as we exit the store.  

This is our second van, the first we had 7 years without any problems.  When we made the decision to move we purchased a new vehicle because we didn't know how available a dealer would be.  Good choice on our part.  Our dealer in California took our van and sold it for us for a small fee.  The dealers didn't take trade-ins where we lived.

Ask  your accountant or tax person about deductions on the additions for the handicap that have been made on the van.

Patrick made an entry on gifts for the patient and  they were wonderful ideas, some I have already used.   I would also suggest gift certificates for perms and haircuts.  Men visit salons, too.  Home made gift bags of small bars of wonderful smelling soaps, samples of perfumes, lipstick samples, colorful tissues, ribbons and fancy combs.  For men lots of socks.  Ladies like the colorful ones but men like the clean white ones and lots of them.  In Jack's case he can't wear ordinary socks but he loves extra large flannel shirts in the winter, navy or dark throws that he keeps handy on his chairs. Hats or caps to shade the eyes, and keep the head warm in the winter.  Large gloves that don't restrict the hands and are EASY to put on. 

For the home, plenty of small juice glasses.  I must  be extremely dangerous with glasses!  Plastic is best for the patient and the clumsy caregiver.  But they do crack and the dishwasher shortens their lives.  We use large soup dishes for eating.  Jack can't get to the table because of the size of the kitchen and entry into the dining room.. he has to hold his dish when eating.......this means the food stays in boundaries and seldom goes over the edge.  Also, these hold less food but the plate is full! (sneaky smile).

I will probably think of many more and wonder why I didn't include those.  But enough for now.