Let's recommend whatever the things you think it is useful

daisy_101

Things make your life easier when taking care of LOs, or things making their life more comfortable, convenient, etc. 

Things you cannot live without. Big or small. Expensive or cheap.

For example, someone recommended PureWick catheter before. What else?

chrisp1653

I'm sure that every situation is different, but one of the things that helped my Barbara a lot was a gel cushion. Before the cushion, she had problems with bed sores, but after the cushion, it was like night and day for her. I'm not talking about one of those donut things, but a rectangular covered gel cushion.

RanchersWife

A bidet with a remote.

Abena adult diapers

A waterproof pet blanket on the couch (it matches perfectly)

Metamucil

Eliminating most sugar and gluten and healing the bowels of chronic constipation.

The cats

A tv remote tether so the remote stays attached to the coffee table.

The tiny house on our property (It’s paid for itself twice by keeping her out of a facility)  

Doityourselfer

Things that make my life easier are music/headphones, air fryer for the finger foods which my husband eats, waterproof pads, twin bed, seroquel and staying positive throughout this nightmare.

harshedbuzz

Geriatric psychiatrist and medication.

Home health aides.

Ear phones for his TV and mom's sanity.

Parental controls on the TV to keep the delusions in check.

Shave cream and rubber gloves.

Kath50

Latex gloves

Ear plugs for me so her annoying noises she constantly makes are muted somewhat

Headphones

I never changed the clocks in her room after the latest time change. Gives me an extra hour of sleep! 

May flowers

I’m not sure if I am allowed to post the brand on this board, but my FIL has a cellphone that only has 4 large buttons (programmed to dial family members) and 911. No screens/icons to mess with. It also has GPS. It’s made by an Australian company but the SIM card (no data) is ATT. Costs are very reasonable, much less than a smartphone.

It’s nothing fancy, in fact it feels cheaply made, but it works great. Everyone thought my FIL would hate it when we got it a couple of years ago and he did at first, but it is his only phone now.

He never could figure out the iPhone even stripped down to the basics (too many steps - getting to the Home Screen, pressing an icon, etc), or even landline phones with large buttons, but he can answer this little phone and call his children.

eaglemom

This is such a helpful thread. 

In several days I'll compile this list into one and then you will be able to print it off.

Something that's not been added is MedicAlert - or some other service. Pre Covid when we were out and about I just relaxed a little knowing IF we were separated authorities would be able to contact me.

eagle

Arrowhead

Hamburger Helper. It's just me and my wife, so I can get 2 meals out of it. By adding other ingredients, such as Ro-tel, mushrooms or vegetables, I can get 3. The same with Suddenly Salad, to which I add canned tuna, salmon or chicken. We also have a toaster oven for chicken, fish, steak, hotdogs, tater tots, etc. Leftovers are reheated in the microwave. Cutting down on meal preparation time helps me.

Battlebuddy

I think all my things right now that I can’t live without are tied to the stage we are in . So in 6d I’m loving Commode liners and the absorbent pads ,my toilet bowl light, and flushable wipes. All delivered by Amazon.

LadyTexan

1. Providence Spillproof Scoop Plate
2. 7 and 1/2 inch "seniors" clock that shows the day, time and date in large readable type
3. Clorox or Lysol Wipes
4. Bidet Seat with Remote
5. Elastic waisted pants and shorts for DH
6. Tide Laundry Detergent
7. The Serenity Prayer
8. AlzConnected forum and all of you caregiver heroes
9. Shaving Cream
10. Lauren's Hope id tags
11. Our doctor and geri-psychiatrist
12. 7 day Med box
13. Online Patient Portals
14. The grace of God
15. Safety bars
16. Tam Cummings book "Untangling Alzheimer's" 
17. "36 hour day" book
18. A knowledgeable elder law attorney
19. Guidance regarding disability and Medicare from trusted professionals
20. Faith

LadyTexan

Battlebuddy wrote:

I think all my things right now that I can’t live without are tied to the stage we are in . So in 6d I’m loving Commode liners and the absorbent pads ,my toilet bowl light, and flushable wipes. All delivered by Amazon.

---LT Wrote: I know many products indicate the wipes are flushable. My doctor has warned me that none are really flushable. Have you found some that are flushable in real life?

chrisp1653

--LT Wrote: I know many products indicate the wipes are flushable. My doctor has warned me that none are really flushable. Have you found some that are flushable in real life?

For all the time we had baby wipes in the house for Barbara, they were non-flushable, but I never had any problem just putting them ( and her disposable briefs ) in a trash can.

I used to buy trash can liners from Costco ( very inexpensive ) and place them in a bucket. Whenever the bucket was full, I would just lift up the edges, spin it around in my hands a few times and tie a knot in it. Easy peasey and no mess or leakage ever.

Battlebuddy

They are Cottonelle wipes. They are small and dear husband throws them in the garbage . But if he forgets and throws it in the toilet I feel ok to not go fishing for it lol

Torri Ann

Hi

This is my first time here. I've been taking care of my parents for several years, last 2 years in my home. Dad has parkinson's with dementia/89.  Mom has Alzheimer's/84. Interested in hearing how you all are managing. Curious as to why shaving cream is on everyone's list?

Music is one of the best things for my mom. She loves John Denver, the rest of us have grown to hate John Denver. But whatever works right?

nannyp46

I like that tether idea, do you think they make one for a walker?  LOL  My husband uses his walker during the day but around 4:00 he tends to "park" it and walk around without help which is not a good thing.  His balance is unsteady and he's had many falls, so a tether would be a nice thing to have if there was such a thing.

LadyTexan

Torri Ann wrote:

Curious as to why shaving cream is on everyone's list?

LT wrote: Welcome to the forum Torri Ann.

Shaving cream is useful for cleaning up poop. Specifically dried on poop. When a PWD is having toileting issues, it is not uncommon for a caregiver to encounter dried on poop. I use plain shaving cream, NOT gel, to soften the dried on poop so that it is easier to clean up my DH.

Beachfan

I use clear, flexible plastic plate guards.  They clip on to round dinner size plates, about 3/4 around, about 1/2 inch high.  DH pushes food toward it to fill his fork and the food stays on the plate.  Treo razors by Gillette to shave him (the y are designed for a person to shave another.). Unfortunately, they are a hot commodity; prices can vary sharply on the internet; cannot find them recently at Sam’s or Costco.  Before DH steps into the shower, I squirt his head with shampoo and use a back scrubber from BBandB to lather up his head.  He tended to just let the shower water wash off the shampoo; couldn’t get the gist of “scrubbing “ his head.  He is content to sit for much of the day quietly, with soothing music on.  The grandkids call it “spa music”.  Routine, routine, routine and 24/7 vigilance to avoid toileting accidents.  In the grand scheme of things, he’s fairly easy to care for.  

Helpful thread, good lists! 

LadyTexan

Ditto on the Gillette Treo Razors. We use those also. Yes the price does fluctuate a great deal. Usually I get them directly from Gillette or Target online. I have not seen them in stores here in Kerrville, Texas.

Beauchene105

Amazon Echo Show. I mentioned it before. The drop-in feature is great. I can drop in using the app from anywhere and poof, we're seeing each other. My mother can't dial the phone but can use voice command to call me. Grandkids too. Plus it shows photos all day, has the time displays, issues reminders, plays her devotional and soft music at times I program in.

LaurenB

I couldn't live without the shower transfer bench, 7 foot long shower wand so that I don't have to get too wet while bathing my mom.  AARP virtual free (don't have to be a member) classes for daily "workouts."  Mom can't keep up, but it gives us a daily routine and reason to participate and I work on her balance and strengthening.  I also love our disabled parking pass.  It makes it so much easier to manage her in the parking lots and to get us quickly into a building.

jfkoc

Hydrogen peroxide!

mommyandme (m&m)

Ridex repositioning chux

 https://www.amazon.com/Incontinence-Disposable-Ultra-Heavyweight-Waterproof-Repositioning/dp/B07P6TGQFS?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Johnson77

NEED HELP!

I am the caregiver for my mother. My mother refuses to see a Dr and denies that she has any issues. Her mother also had Alzheimers and I think that's why she won't get help. She is afraid that we will put her in a nursing home. Quite the opposite. We want to get her help so she can stay in her house as long as possible. She is currently making up stories and gets mad at different members of the family and says she doesnt ever want to see them again. Looking for any advice on what we can do to get her the help she needs. I took her for an MRI 2 years ago and she still gets mad at me for that and says she still has ringing in her ears for it. Now can't get her to follow up with Neurologist

mommyandme (m&m)

Johnson77, 

If you put a new post in the forum by hitting the green button “Add Topic” at the top of the Caregivers Forum your question will more likely be seen by the wise and supportive folks here. Your question is at the end of a post that’s a few days old. 

Some get their LOs to the dr by saying it’s a necessary visit to keep her insurance, Medicare or whichever…

I’m sorry for these struggles! 

Oregano

This is a great thread, and I just wanted to add a few things that myself, members of my family, and several friends have used with great success. I have an example brand for each, but I'm certain other brands would work just fine.

A HEPA filter with a UV-C light (example: Germ Guardian). I can't stress enough how important air quality is, especially when you spend the majority of your day indoors. HEPA filters don't just remove odors, dust, and pollen. There are many airborne viruses, including influenza, that UV-C light kills. There's a reason why they use it on buses and airplanes.

They start at around $100, so they aren't cheap, but it's 100% the best investment I've made for me and my family. You'll know it works when nobody is sneezing anymore.

A xylitol nasal spray (example: Xlear). It's amazing for nasal congestion, and better breathing in general. That's probably why I get so much better sleep after using it.

A xylitol toothpaste gel (example: ROCS). Strengthens teeth and removes tongue thrush (the white, candida coating on your tongue) better than anything I've ever used. My mother used to not be able to drink cold beverages because they hurt her teeth. That's no longer a problem for her.

A hypochlorous spray (example: Clean Smart). This is a cleaner so safe that it's used in NICUs. It's often marketed as a baby toy cleaner and pet-safe for this reason. It's a great alternative to all the harsh chemical cleaners out there.

JMack88

Mom is still in the milder stages so two things we have discovered are extremely helpful are a clock that has the day, date, time in larger digital fonts so she can read it and a white board posted on the front door that says what everyone is doing that day, i.e. S is at work and will be home at 4:30, J is working from home, You have a hair appointment at 5pm and S is taking you to it.

Amazon link for the clock we have:  https://a.co/bFzZD2A 

Amazon link for white board similar to ours:  https://a.co/d4NAWf7

Along with the white board, we have dry erase markers and some white board erasers.  We update it every day.    

Kibbee

This is a great post with good information.  Some of the items mentioned I already have in my care arsenal, but others were new to me so I will be doing some shopping soon!

A few things I use that were not mentioned.

• Incense and candles to sweeten the air during and after BM clean-ups.       
• Odo-Ban laundry additive to keep clothes and bedding smelling fresh.  
• A back-pack on his wheelchair packed with items that may be needed if we are out of the house:  gloves, gait belt, clean and sanitized urinal in a plastic bag (plus extra plastic bags), Depends, cleaning wipes, and clean pants/shorts & T-shirt.  
• Quik Sorb washable under pads for use on the bed and his recliner.
• "Doggie" disposable training pads, size XL.  I like the Target brand.
• Helper pads to put in the front of his Depends at night, to provide extra absorption.  I  use women's overnight period pads and place them inside the Depends so they go across the top and down the sides.  I have tried many underwear brands and every one has a pad only in the middle & nothing along the sides.  That is not enough coverage for a man or a side sleeper, as anatomy and / or sleep position can cause urine to flow down along the side of the body.
• Microfiber cleaning cloths.  
• A lap tray and an over the bed table that can be easily moved and is height adjustable.
• An electric toothbrush and Oral B Glide Gum Care Floss Picks (These hold the floss in a V at the end, and are easier for DH to hold and use than the straight ones.)  
• Wahl clippers to keep hair and beard trimmed.
• Nail brush.
• Dish towels to tuck in his T-shirt neck to use as "crumb catchers" (bibs).

Maureen D

II wondered about reason for shaving cream. Tks for explaining.

Leslie T

I'm new to this forum...thanks for all of the good ideas!

Ed1937

This thread was started in April, but still a good thread. If your LO is urinary incontinent, have the bed layered in case it gets wet during the night. To layer a bed, the mattress needs to be covered with a waterproof fitted sheet, then a waterproof pad, a regular fitted sheet, and finally a top sheet. Next is a waterproof pad, a fitted sheet, a top sheet, then you can go as far as you want with this. I used a total of 3 layers, but whatever you choose is good. With this setup, if you need to change the bed in the middle of the night, it is fast and easy. Just remove the top layer, and set aside to wash in the morning. You now have a dry bed again.