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