Life-Changing Medical Equipment You Need!
No one gets excited about shopping for medical equipment or knows much about it before they need it. It's not the "coolest" topic, but it could be if you understand the difference it can make in your life. The life-changing benefits of durable medical equipment (DME) are often unknown, but they can be life-altering once discovered. I have witnessed that for the last 26 years.
Long before I started Harmony Home Medical Supply, I grew up working in my mom's DME store, and despite seeing so many client experiences, I recognize that each is unique. Everyone's story is different: their diagnosis, prognosis, and home environment. Connecting with a great DME provider and the right product for your needs is a game-changer! Some of the most transformative products are those that improve or create independence and reduce caregiving costs. Specialty Patient Lifts, Support Surfaces like Air Mattresses, Custom Wheelchairs, and home access products like Stairlifts are all life-improving equipment.
When you improve or create "independence," another word could be "mobility." Moving becomes more difficult as we age, but it doesn't happen overnight. An aging adult’s world gets smaller, but so slowly that sometimes they don't realize what they have lost. They don't want to use medical equipment (there’s still a stigma) and adapt by not leaving home. It can happen even to once-vibrant socialites.
That was precisely the case with "Mr. A." He was a tough veteran who honorably served our country and raised a wonderful family in Kensington. He and his wife lived in their family home, in the neighborhood they'd been in for decades, yet slowly, Mr. A saw less and less of his cherished neighborhood. He was well-loved around town, a social guy, and eventually, the isolation led him to reach out to us for a proper power chair that could accommodate high positioning and transfer needs. It had tilt, recline, and suspension to handle the bumpy sidewalks of his neighborhood. His wife had been encouraging him for years, and he finally gave in. He was custom-fitted, and when he hit the streets for the first time, he went straight to his favorite coffee shop. It had been over two years since he had been there, but everyone still knew his name when he rolled in. They were thrilled, and Mr. A was in tears. Tears of joy that he had his freedom back. He hasn’t missed a day at the coffee house since.
As we age, getting a good night's sleep is challenging. A True Low-Air Loss Alternating mattress can be life-changing. It rotates a person or alternates where pressure is on their body while in bed. This product can replicate the benefits of rolling someone, often recommended for patients with pressure sores or a high risk of complications. Often, families stay up around the clock to rotate their loved one every 30 minutes to an hour or pay caregivers to perform this necessary procedure.
That was the case for Karen. She was rolling her husband during the day and paying for caregivers at night. She was exhausted and eventually had to get costly 24-hour care. She was quickly running out of money when she discovered our store. We suggested a bed that raised his head higher to better meet his care needs, along with a laterally rotating, actual low-air-loss mattress. She spent $ 9,000 on the entire setup, but she was paying that in one week for caregivers. She was able to cut paying for care hours in half and kept her husband home until he passed. His skin did wonderfully and healed on the mattress that never missed a turn, keeping his skin dry. It always showed up and never got tired. It was wonderful. She was able to sleep at night again, literally!
Mike and Mel, two long-time customers, both have cerebral palsy. For years, we have helped them stay independent with the right DME. From the right bed, power chair, and patient lift, these were products that were the difference between self-reliance and the need to pay for additional care or even move to assisted living. Mike had always transferred Mel with a patient lift, but his strength was lessening as he aged, and it was too hard for him to push the lift now. Their case worker suggested that they may want to move to a facility, which was not part of their vision or life plan. They also loved their apartment downtown. I was called in to do a home assessment, and I determined a ceiling lift would make it possible for Mike to continue doing Mel's transfer. The doctor and case worker agreed, and nine years later, they are still living independently using their ceiling lift.
It is incredible what capabilities DME can provide someone with. We all do many things daily to care for ourselves and maintain our independence. When just one of those activities becomes complicated, it can significantly impact our quality of life. Sometimes, medical equipment can be the solution to bridge that gap and make a difference in how you want to live your life…on your terms. Don’t fight it. Consider consulting a local medical equipment expert if you need help staying safe and independent. There's a good chance there's a solution for you!
Erica Sell, ATP, CSA, CAPS, has been in the medical equipment industry since 1998, helping individuals understand their options for mobility and safety at home. She owns and operates two locations of Harmony Home Medical in San Diego. For more information: https://harmonyhomemedical.com/