Taking some home-aids to Spain

shelleymogui
shelleymogui Member Posts: 88
edited 14. Mar 2009, 08:34 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hey all,

Been away for awhile as managed to get a new job and decided to move house, all before the 24th of March.....yet the time has come to also, finally see my Dad in Spain. Gonna be busy when I get back.

I got a couple of catalogues from my mum who luckily works at a disibilities living centre, and am searching for some home aids to help my dad with his RA. Im thinking about a sock helper, one of the sturdy ones so he doesnt have to bend. A long shoehorn for his shoes, a folding helping hand (grabber) so he can keep that at the cafe and some of those elastic shoelaces. Can anyone think of anything else that could possibly help him.....bearing in mind im only taking one suitcase
:?

thanks shelley xxx

Comments

  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    well done on moving AND the new job! wow what a busy time for you.

    I could add loads to your list, but you would need to win the lottery to pay for the excess baggage!! :roll: :lol: :roll: :wink:

    What about a gadget for opening ring-pull cans / bottle tops / jars. Mine is always being used!

    have a good trip
  • shelleymogui
    shelleymogui Member Posts: 88
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    oooh yeah thanks, and that reminds me....pill crusher too! :)
  • barberella
    barberella Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, I just wanted to pass on idea. You may already know, but you can ring the airline prior to your departure date and they will usually allow some extra baggage weight, on the grounds for medical equipment ect. They can send you a letter, which you produce at check in. May just help if you do need extra allowance.
    Jo.
  • shelleymogui
    shelleymogui Member Posts: 88
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I knew that wheelchairs/pushchairs could be taken on for no extra charge but didnt know about any other equipment. Do I phone the airline that im flying with or the airport?

    Off to get the equipment now :)

    Thanks for all your help everyone. xx
  • barberella
    barberella Member Posts: 20
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi love, phone the airline, they are usually quite good If passengers need extra allowance for medication, special foods, equipment ect. Who is it your flying with? Jo x
  • shelleymogui
    shelleymogui Member Posts: 88
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    we're flying with Ryanair. I can kinda get everything in my suitcase at a push but it might be helpful. otherwise just going to have to pack around it all.

    Thanks xx
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,395
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    shelleymogui wrote:
    oooh yeah thanks, and that reminds me....pill crusher too! :)

    .........just thinking about the pill crusher......... I don't know if you're aware but some arthritic medicines have to be taken whole especially if they're slow release.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • shelleymogui
    shelleymogui Member Posts: 88
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hehe yeah, he's crap with tablets in general. So i'm thinking he'll be able to take regular pain relief better. Hopefully.

    x
  • amandapayne
    amandapayne Member Posts: 4
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    Depending on which part of Spain you are heading to, I can give you the details of some suppliers. I live on the Costa Blanca. Save you having to take things thru the airport..... altho you may want to check prices first cos of the exchange rate.
  • shelleymogui
    shelleymogui Member Posts: 88
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Heya, Sorry Amanda didn't get your post til after id gone, BUT it was a great success.

    Managed to fit everything in, i showed him how to use it all. He must be in pain because he was saying 'i'll try anything if it helps' and he's usually very stubborn.

    Thanks to his new sock-putter-oner (technical term hehe) he doesnt have to count on the lady next door and his elastic laces stop the problem of them coming undone all the time.

    While I was there I looked after the cafe for a day and he took an interpreter to a new doctor at hospital and he is now trying out two other tablets, one is for 'gout' to which they said was what the nodule on his arm was!

    He also had four syringes of fluid taken out of his knee. The doctor said he could have taken as many painkillers as he wanted but he wouldnt get better without getting rid of the fluid.

    He couldn't bend his knee when I first got there but by the time I left he was walking faster and could slightly bend his knee to put his socks on. His knee is always very bruised after the syringes though, makes him worse for a day but then the bruising goes and he can walk much better. Does anyone else have to have fluid drained when they have RA if its in the knees or similar joint?

    Sorry for the long post but I feel so glad that the visit was successful and hopefully he'll get something out of this now. He goes back in April to the doctor again who is determined to keep assessing the tablets and find one that works, he also sent the knee fluid away to be assessed for when he comes back.

    So hopefully good news at last.

    Thanks again for all your kind help and support on here. Dont know what I'd do without you!

    Shelley xx
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