Chris, Thanks for your feedback about your experience with this device. The therapy she has received to improve her out-of-bed mobility has been very slow due to her age and physical condition prior to her fall. Unfortunately, she has already experienced the problems created due to lack of out-of-bed mobility. I suggested the commode to her, but apparently her therapists do not believe she is ready for that. But I will have her discuss it with them to find out their concerns.
She is a very tiny lady and the "hospital type" electric-controlled bed that they purchased does not accomodate her short legs. Consequently, even though all medical opinions suggested she use the hospital bed, she abandoned it and returned to her regular twin bed with an adaptive rail that she uses for bed mobility. In addition to the bed height problem, she resisted the hospital bed because she wanted to use her own muscles to reposition herself in bed and to not rely on the bed for movement. So I believe her instincts are good in that regard. There is nothing more she would like than to walk to her bathroom. She has an "iron" will, if she can get her body to follow. I am sure that the adaptive urinal would be a temporary situation, she is defintely not the type to rely on a crutch for long. I will check out the Sammons Preston catalog, take the literature to her, and see if her therapist believes it is feasible. Now that the pain from her broken ribs is subsiding, hopefully this will be a short-term solution. Thanks again for your input. It is appreciated. Sue ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 10:41 PM Subject: Re: [OTlist] Female Urinal devices > I am not a big fan of bed pans or urinals but I undestand how useful > they are in "emergencies" especially at night. I would strongly > suggest a bed side commode for that needed out of bed activity during > the day, and perhaps a female urinal and a standard bed pan at night. > I have used a female urinal for a client found in the Sammons and > Preston catelog with moderate success, but this lady was a bilateral > above the knee amputation so it was easier to place the urinal where it > belonged. I imagine it will take some practice. I remember that the > easiest position was being completely supine versus reclined secondary > to some spilling that occured in the reclined position. Again, I > strongly recommend that the patient is out of bed as much as possbile > because the effects of bed immobility and atrophy is lethal if left > untreated. These pieces of adaptive equipment often becomes a crutch > which hinders a patient's progress. > > Chris Nahrwold MS, OTR > > -----Original Message----- > From: Robertson, Susan (NIH/CC/RMD) [E] <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Sent: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 4:58 pm > Subject: Re: [OTlist] Female Urinal devices > > You might check the Sammon Preston catalog > Sammonspreston.com > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Sue Mikolajczak [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:38 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [OTlist] Female Urinal devices > > A 91-year old friend who originated a low vision support group that I > help facilitate has been partially bed-ridden since falling in her home > in December. She has been using a Depend-type underwear and requires > help from her husband to change the pant. She is very anxious to start > helping with her toileting activities, in order to assist her husband > with the burden of her care, and to reduce the associated frustration of > leaking, etc. > > She is able to independently get into a reclining position in bed, but > cannot yet get out of bed without assistance. I noticed various types > of female urinals while surfing the net and wondered if anyone has had > success with a particular design that would work for someone of her > abilities. She is legally blind, but is cognitively as sharp as a tack. > She broke some ribs from her fall, but I believe her manual dexterity is > good for someone of her age. Even if she was able to use the urinal > with her husband's assistance, it might eliminate some of the negative > issues attached to the current toileting method (odor, spills, etc). > > I would appreciate feedback from anyone who has had experience with > these devices. > > Sue > > > > > -- > Options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > > Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > -- > Options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > > Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > > -- > Options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > > Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
