Ask Gladys

Dear Gladys,

My sister has MS and is no longer able to hold her head upright. Is there a product that could somehow support her head so her neck is not bent over all the time?
~ Supportive in Shutesbury

Dear Supportive,

Talk to her doctor or physical therapist to find out if a soft cervical collar would be appropriate for your sister's needs. Something like a cervical collar could support her neck and head when the muscles have become too weak to do it themselves. However it is critical that you discuss this with a medical professional, as the wrong product may actually do more harm than good.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I have a question about the Tek Pal Remote that is not answered on the product page. I'd like to know if setting up the Tek Pal up would render the original remote useless. Or would the original remote still work too? I would still need the original to operate the built in VCR or DVD player in the TV, but I would want to use the Tek Pal for watching TV.

~ Not Technical in Teterboro

Dear Not Technical,

Just like any universal remote, you'll need to set up the Tek Pal to so that it can send the proper signal to send to your TV. Nothing inside your television set will be altered. So to answer your question, the original remote will continue to function as it always has.

Unfortunately, there is a strong possibility that the Tek Pal won't be compatible with your TV. In our experience, the Tek Pal Remote does not play well with combo units because their codes are not included in its internal memory. That said, you can certainly try it and if it does not work for you simply give us a call (or email) for a return authorization.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I am looking for a wheelchair that will go into the shower. My mom is large and we are moving her to assisted living. At home we have a hoist built into the ceiling that I use to move her with. The assisted living place does not. We would like to purchase a wheelchair to cut down on the transfer times that they will have to transfer her. We cant find one but I know they make them. Where can I go online to order one of these shower wheelchairs?
~ Moving in Medway

Dear Moving,

We carry a roll-in commode-style wheelchair that may be what you're looking for. However the weight capacity is only 300 lbs. If she is heavier than that, you will need to look for something heavy duty that can support her weight. Search the internet for "bariatric roll-in shower chair" (or similar terms) to see what else is out there.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

Does Dynamic Living carry cane tips with rubber cleats or something like that? I've just heard such a thing exists, but of course the local drugstore where I buy my cane tips has no such thing.
~ Slipping in Seattle

Dear Slipping,

If you are asking about something to help you on ice, we carry an Ice Grip Attachment that adds metal prongs to the bottom of your cane. That will help immensely with traction on ice. You can flip up the prongs when you don't need them so you won't have to remove the attachment to use your cane indoors.

If you need added traction for your shoes as well as your cane, consider a pair of Snow and Ice Grips.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I'm a high school student, and I recently decided to fill my community service requirement in a nursing home. I'm going to be spending 2-3 hours a week with a 92 year old woman who lives there. I figure the first few times we'll sit and get to know each other, but I don't know what to expect after that. Do you have any advice for activities I can plan?
~ Volunteer in Vernon

Dear Volunteer,

This is a great service! The most important piece of advice I can give you is: Don't make any assumptions! Once you get talking to her, you might find out you watch the same TV shows or read the same books. On the other hand her favorite card game might be something you've never played before. She might like reminiscing, she might like showing you pictures, she might like to teach you how to knit. She might like to learn about your hobbies, your hopes and dreams. Who knows? Meet her. Ask her. The important thing is the social interaction for both of you. The two of you will figure it out - together!

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

My parents both want to be able to use the same Voice Activated Dialer. I know the item is speaker dependent but I wondered if this might be possible if we record my parents using different names.

For instance, we set up a number for me, Rupert, and my mother says "Rupert" and we enter my number. Then we setup another number and my father says "Rupert Smith" and we enter my number again.

~ Clever Son in Cleveland

Dear Clever,

Your idea should be fine. The best thing to do is work with the voice dialer to see what works best for your parents and the dialer. It may take some experimenting, but once set up properly, the dialer is very consistent and reliable.

We recommend that all names be at least 2 syllables. For example, "Bob" (all by itself) may be troublesome for recognition.

In addition, you may need to get creative if your parents need the voice dialer to have numbers for you at several locations. (For instance, home, work and cell phone.) Some people have gotten around this by using a name to correspond to the home number and a phrase like "son at work" for the work number.


~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I have ordered several EZ Shampoo Inflatable Basins over the years. I keep having to replace them because the seams tear. Is there a sturdier version of this basin I could try?
~ Bathed in Boston

Dear Bathed,

This is the first time we've heard of someone having a problem with this product. The only thing I can suggest is to be careful not to over-inflate the basin. The air inside the Basin needs to go somewhere when pressure from your head displaces it. Normally, there is still a little stretch room if the basin is not over inflated.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

My wife has recently developed balance difficulties and I am concerned about what will happen if she falls. I'm not as young as I used to be, and I'm afraid of ending up on the floor with her when I try to help her up. Do you have any tips I can use?
~ Lifting in Lee

Dear Lifting,

Too many caregivers have learned the hard way that bad lifting techniques can lead to injuries, whether lifting from a chair or from the floor. And there are considerations to prevent injury to your wife as well. If she is not injured, you could, for example, help her to her knees and then support her as she stands up again. An occupational therapist is the best person to talk to regarding safe lifting techniques.

In addition to proper body mechanics, there are tools like gait belts and inflatable cushions. Used commonly by emergency personnel, the CAMEL Air Lift Cushion can be placed under your wife if she happens to fall. This inflatable cushion lifts a person into a raised seated position of 21.5" to make it easier for them to stand or transfer to a nearby chair. The ELK is an alternative lifting cushion, without a back.

Whatever you do, do not risk your own well being. If need be, call 911!

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

My mother just got a pair of walker glider skis from a family friend. She had been walking with the traditional tennis balls for about 3 years. What a wonderful piece of equipment. She is able to get around so much better over carpet and linoleum.

But there is a problem, and I hope you have a solution. I am her caregiver and have been for four years. I have set up housekeeping in the basement and can hear everything going on upstairs. The sound (grating) of my mother's walker is heard whenever she walks through rooms with hardwood floors. In addition, I have noticed that they are scratching the wood floors. Is their anything I can put on the bottom of these walker skis to eliminate the noise and protect the hardwood floors. I have tried tapes of all kinds on the bottom of the skis but to no avail. It sounds even louder.

I would appreciate any suggestions. I do not want to go back to the tennis balls, but the noise gets to a person after a while, and I definitely want my mother to continue walking as much as possible. Thank you.
~ Scraping in Seattle

Dear Scraping,

I am glad to hear that the Walker Skis are helping your mom get around easier. I can understand your frustration with the sound and the scratches that are appearing on your floors. I don't know how well it would work, but there is felt with adhesive backing that you put on the feet of furniture. This type of felt is often available in sheets that you can cut to size. Visit your local hardware store to see what they have available.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I have an active, elderly parent in great health, but I worry about what would happen in an emergency. I want to get them one of those emergency call pendants, but I don't know where to start. Do you have any suggestions?
~ Concerned in Challis

Dear Concerned,

Many people are familiar with the systems that call a monitoring service when a button is pressed. These systems usually charge for the equipment rental as well as the monthly monitoring. The benefit is that the monitoring center is staffed with people trained for emergencies 24 hours a day. Some of the centers also offer social or check-in services. The down side is the ongoing cost. Another is that some people object to 'strangers' being on call, so they won't use the button when they need it.

Your other option is a phone with an auto-dialing function. These phones come with a pendant and are programmed to call a series of friends and family in an emergency. There are no monthly fees and 'strangers', like the police, can be programmed in as a last resort.

Sit down with your parent and discuss your concerns. Find out what he or she would be comfortable with and go from there.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I just bought my grandmother a new computer, but she's recently started having trouble with her eyesight. I've set up the monitor to make it easier for her to see, but I was wondering if there were any gadgets available to magnify the print on the keyboard.
~ IT Guy in Irwin

Dear IT Guy,

There are two ways to approach making the keyboard easier to see.

The first is to search for a large print keyboard to replace the one that came with her new computer. Keyboards like this come with the letters, numbers and symbols printed in a larger size.

However if you don't want to replace the whole keyboard, you can modify the one you have with large print keyboard labels. The labels are made to fit over standard keyboard keys, and are available in black, white and yellow.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I live in an old apartment building, on the second floor. I do my laundry in the basement. Last week I fell in the basement and couldn't get up. My husband had no chance to hear me when I called for help because of the distance (and the number of floors and ceilings between us). I'm considering a paging system of some kind, but I'm worried that the distance will be too great between my apartment and my basement. Do you have any suggestions?
~ Falling in Franklin

Dear Falling,

There are a couple of things you can try. Most pagers have a distance of at least 100 feet, some as far as 300. Since each floor is only 20 feet high, it is possible that the pager will reach your apartment. More important than the distance is whether the signal can go through all the floors and ceilings. You won't know that until you test it.

A set of walkie talkies may have a greater range. If you have a cell phone that can get service from your basement, that might work even better. Keep it in a pocket when you do laundry and if you fall you can call your husband on your regular phone line.

Either way, I recommend only doing laundry when your husband is home to come to your aid. If you can't find something that will work from your basement, make him come with you when you head down there. Then he's right there if you need him AND you can get him to fold or help carry the laundry for you.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

How loud do you need to talk to activate the Surfboard Voice Activated Remote? I have a friend who is on a ventilator and labors when he talks. Will this still work if we place it close enough or even right under to his mouth?
~ Ventilator in Vinging

Dear Ventilator,

Unfortunately, voice activated products may be more frustrating than helpful for your friend. The noise of the ventilator will most likely interfere with the recognition of the commands. In addition, if talking is difficult for him he may not be able to repeat the commands consistently enough for the remote to recognize him each time.

This doesn't mean you should give up hope. You didn't mention if your friend is able to move at all. Depending on his capabilities an adaptive switch may do the trick. There are highly sensitive and oversized switches on the market that can be placed near a foot, elbow or even on a head rest. Search the internet or an assistive technology database like Abledata.com to find products that will work for your friend.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I have trouble zipping up my dresses that have a back zipper and since my husband passed away, I have no help. Do you have a gadget that might be helpful? I have not seen one in your latest catalog.
~ Dressed in Dover

Dear Dressed,

A dressing stick might work for some dresses, but the hook may be too big for smaller zippers.

Surfers wear wet suits that have back zippers with a long strip of fabric attached. Why not adopt that idea for your own zippers? Thread a long piece of fishing line or nylon thread through the end of the zipper and use that to pull up your zipper. Or attach a piece of fabric to the zipper. Once your dress is zipped up, tuck the string or fabric in so it doesn't show.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

My father has several health issues that have required him to move in with me and my family. And he is making me crazy. He stays up late and sleeps well into the afternoon, missing meals and medication times. Then he gets sick because he's not eating right and not getting enough sleep. I keep telling him he needs to take better care of himself, but he never does. He's being very stubborn. What can I say to convince him that he needs to make changes?
~ Frustrated in Fernwood

Dear Frustrated,

There may be a larger problem than just your father's stubbornness. Medical or emotional issues (or both) could be affecting his behavior.

The first stop is with the doctor. One of his health issues or one of his medications may be affecting his sleep and appetite. Depression, which can be treated, is not uncommon amongst seniors, particularly those with multiple health problems.

There is also a possibility that moving in with you has made him feel like he has lost his independence. Talk to him about your concerns and ask him what he wants. He may perk up with more household responsibility that gives him a sense of purpose. Responsibility doesn't have to have physical requirements. Maybe he can be keeper of the calendar and all appointments. Meal planning is another possibility that might help him regain his appetite. Be creative and work together on developing opportunities for him to be part of the daily routine.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

My mother has macular degeneration and is having trouble telling bills apart in her wallet. Is there a product available that she can keep in her purse that would keep her cash separate?
~ Counting Bills in Caldwell

Dear Counting,

There are many options for handling money when you cannot see well:

* A coupon organizer can organize the bills and fit in her purse. Many coupon organizers have tabs that you can label in large print or color code.

* A wallet with many pockets could be helpful too, storing different bills in different sections of the wallet.

* There are portable electronic magnifiers, like the Shoppa, that could help. The benefit of this option is that she can us the magnifier for other tasks as well, like grocery shopping.

The cheapest option is to fold each denomination in a different way. That way she can tell what it is by how it is folded.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I have recently lost the use of my legs and have started using a wheelchair to get around. One of the first things I noticed is that I get much colder than I used to. What can you recommend to help me stay warm?
~ Chilly in Craigmont

Dear Chilly,

Upper body exercise can still get your blood pumping and help you feel warm. Something like the BigBand™ Low Impact Exerciser might help, but I recommend making an appointment with an occupational therapist to discuss what kinds of exercises are best for you.

If exercising doesn't help, you might need to bundle up some more. We carry a few products that were specifically designed with wheelchair users in mind.

* The LapWrap Shawl provides the coverage you need to stay warm without bunching up at your waist while you are seated.

* The Wheelchair Throw Blanket tucks in under your legs so there are no loose corners to get caught in any wheels or moving parts.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I've been crafting for years, and recently I've started having problems with my back and shoulders that prevent me from bending over my work table. If I sit back in my chair, I have to raise my arms to reach my project and keep it over my table. I need to rethink my workspace, and I was hoping you would have some ideas.
~ Artist in Ashland

Dear Artist,

Since I'm not sure what is causing you to bend over your work here are a few different suggestions.

There are a couple of ways you could bring your projects closer so you can sit up straight while you work. If you already have a comfortable chair that supports your back, look for a tray table that will slide over your lap or the arms of the chair.

If height is the issue, our Bed Desk can be placed on the table top to adjust your project to a higher working level, with less bending.

If your craft of choice includes small details and that is what is causing you to bend, a hands free magnifier can eliminate the need to lift your project closer so you can see it.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I love my Easy Reader and have had it over a decade, the only problem is that my elastic string no longer has elasticity. Is there any way to simply get a new string? My husband wants me to just use a large rubber band but it is just not the same.
~ Unstrung in Union

Dear Unstrung,

The elastic is not sold separately but it should be easy to replace. If you look at the back of your Easy Reader, you'll see that it threads through a hole and has a metal tip on the end to keep it from pulling through. Go to a notions store or one of those large craft supply chains. They should have some elastic thread that will fit the hole. To keep the elastic where you want it you can put a knot in the end. If the string you've purchased won't make a big enough knot add a small bead as well.

~ Gladys

Dear Gladys,

I'm a graduate student with a full time job. Every year around this time (Holiday time) I find myself getting overwhelmed and incredibly forgetful. Some days I get so busy I'll forget to take my medications. This is never a problem the rest of the year, so I'm not sure I want to buy something just for this purpose. What can I do?
~ Student in Seneca

Dear Student,

Planners and calendars are always a help with appointments and class assignments, but when little things are getting lost in the shuffle you can try reminder alarms. Some cell phones have calendar and alarm clock functions that you can use for reminders. These kinds of reminders are good for days when you're on the go. If you have calendar software on your computer you can see if that has an alarm option as well. Computer calendar reminders are also great for reminding you to take a dinner break when you're working on that final paper.

There are also small inexpensive pocket timers that you can use to remind you. Some beep and make other sounds while others vibrate.

The most important thing to remember is to take some time for yourself to relax, get the rest and nourishment you require to keep your brain and body sharp!

~ Gladys