1) Are you unable to walk unaided; i.e. that is do you need a walker, wheelchair, cane, etc.?
2) Do you now, or have you ever, needed full time (or part time) medical care either at home or at a facility? For instance, I can no longer stand or walk even with a walker.
Thanks for participating!
Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on :
I'm going to try to repost this under medical for Monica
Posted by Monica (Member # 224) on :
Perhaps folks in this category can't get to the computer to post or are too ill to post?
Posted by earthsong15 (Member # 7471) on :
I can not walk aided or unaided. My legs no longer move at the hip flexors. I have used a wheelchair for 3 years now only. I can still bear weight to transfer and go to the gym 3 times a week to keep muscle tone in my legs.
Medicare covered a large part of my electric wheelchair. I do not have a caregiver or a partner, but have some dear friends that garden for me and cook me food occasionally.
Independent living is still possible- it just takes some loving friends to pitch in occasionally and perhaps tradig free rent to a roomate for some minor help.
I have a mini van that has been converted for wheelchair use and I use hand controls to drive.
Posted by Yemaya (Member # 8842) on :
I have to use the canew when I leave the house. My Right side goes numb when I am active. My knee on that side the arthritis acts up alot. At home I have to use the cane on and off depending how I'm doing.
Posted by AZURE WISH (Member # 804) on :
I was unable to walk. I had to hold on to the walls to get to the bathroom and that was the only time I got up. And that took forever and was quite the ordeal for me.
The pain was terrible in every joint in my body except my jaw, and then also the bones and muscles in my arms and legs.
When I'd eat I'd keep dropping my fork cuz the pain was so intense - my fingers were crinkled and I had lost sooo much strength in them.
I was living with my family. (at the time this consisted of my mom, dad and brother). My brother was going to school and my mom and dad worked so I was alone sometimes.
My grandparents live next store and everyday my grandmom would come over to see if there was anything I needed (she stayed at least long enough for me to stay awake long enough to answer and help me take meds if needed)
I never had a professional caretaker but as you could see I was a big mess - My family took care of me when I was at my worst - If I didnt have them I would have needed someone to help me - friend neighbor nurse - someone - I couldn't fix my own food - heck like I said it was a challenge just trying to eat it.
I think if it your whole body that has been affected then you need someone to help you - maybe you have friends or family members or neighbors who would be willing to give a hand -
If you have no one that can help you I think a nurse or some kind of caretaker may be a good idea.
Can you fix your own food? Can you get to the grocery store to buy it.... or does a local grocery have delivery?
Can you attend to your own hygene? (brush your teeth by yourself, bathe etc?)
Can you take you medicine by yourself (those darn childproof lids were too tough for me to open)
If its just housework you can't do and no one can help you you probaly would be better off getting a maid.
this may be a silly idea but it may be beneficial to make out a list with the things you can do by yourself on one side and then the things you can't do by yourself on the other....
this may help you define what your needs really are and if getting home care is really what you need.
Best wishes
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
I normally walk with my cane; helps me keep my balance better. No home care to date.