Husband Coming Home in a Wheel Chair

Congrats that he is coming home soon. Make sure you are working with a social worker or discharge planner. They will know what options and resources are available to make the house functional for him. Not sure if you are on Medicare or not, but look into what that provides as well. If you have a long term care policy, many have home care benefits too. You should also check into local churches or agencies that might help you with building ramps - even a high school wood shop might be able to help.

If you want, feel free to email me (give me your email and I'll email you offline) with more details. I can share with you some natural technologies that can help with balance, discomfort (even phantom leg issues), inflammation, energy and more.

Good luck, but definitely express your concerns to the social worker at the rehab center before they send him home. Best to get it all addressed before he comes home.
S.

With the economy slow, construction is slow. You might be able to find someone who would build a ramp for a pretty reasonable price fairly quickly. I hope the transition to home goes well for both of you.

Hi K.,
A ramp would be good. Also, if you are able to maybe transform the restroom into a more handicap friendly environment. For instance, I know some one who made it into a totally walk in shower. They took the tub out and placed tile down, and have a sit down seat in the shower area. You can help your husband to the seat and he can take a shower w/o having to take sponge baths. Also, the doors and hallways were widen through out the house for the wheelchairs to go through easily. If you would like to email me about other ideas, feel free to.

HI K.,

If your husband was in Rehab than the Physical and Occupational Therapist should have planned this already, before he leaves ask them to talk you through it or better yet have them demonstrate it for you. If you are already home than call the Dr. that was his primary physicisn while he was there and ask for a Home Physical Therapist evaluation. They will come to your home and teach him and you how to best be safe within your environment. Home therapy is covered 100% by most insurance companies. This could be a difficult transition time for both of you, don't be afraid to ask for help. Best of Luck to you!
I am Physical Therapist so if you have any specific questions feel free to ask...
T.

talk to the discharge planner at the rehab hospital. You will have to have a ramp put in at your house. You can do something temporary with lengths of lumber until you can have something more permanent built.

sounds like he'll be in the wheel chair for a while, but not permanently? definitely talk to the rehab discharge person.. they have a vested interest in making sure your husband has what he needs to continue his convalescing at home. also, you might try a medical supply store, there are a ton of "adaptive" devices that can make your home life easier.

I would also talk to a friend who is handy with wood-working or call a contractor to come and build you a ramp for the most convenient door. you need to make sure you can wheel him up and down, yourself... without hurting your back or worse.

in the mean time, make sure your house is fire ready... e.g. make sure you have fresh batteries in your smoke detectors, the dryer lint trap is cleaned out, etc. it might make you feel better.

and on a personal note... keep the humor up! my husband had abdominal surgery and well, let's just say he couldn't take care of his own personal hygiene for a while, amongst other things. anyway... you just have to laugh and make jokes about it, otherwise, you'll think about it too much. I like to think of it as this is the part where the "in sickness and in health" comes in.. most people can go their whole married lives not having to deal with that part, try to see it as a blessing of being able to take care of your husband. and to remember your love for him and that kind of committment to him. my husband had a really hard time accepting my help, but I had to remind him he'd do the same for me. it really brought us closer in the end because he knew it was true. anyway, I don't mean to get too far off topic, but your posts have been stirring up a lot of memories and feelings for me. good luck and don't forget to take care of yourself too!