I was not prepared for the amount of involvement.  Even though I did not live with Mom she was always in my thoughts and I was almost daily solving a problem.  It was hard for me to find information and support for the kind of care I was offering Mom.  The medical establishment understands the cost to caregivers as being so high that the best course of action is to save the caregiver and leave the care of Mom to the experts.

I have just read a few stories about the emotional costs to caregivers when they place someone in a home.  Those stories reinforce that I did the right thing for me and Mom.  Everyone has to find their path and give at whatever level they can.  But keep pushing the experts for information as they do have a lot of good ideas.

If you are following your own path stop at a specialty store for medical supplies.  Look at everything available.  Make friends with the staff.  These are the people that will help you solve a ton of problems.

From fat-handled forks and knives, dishes that stick to the table, colorful and respectful neck scarves for eating.  To incontinence products and cleaning products.  Mobility products like seat swivels, belt supports to help with lifting, walkers, and chairs of all types.  Recliners that will lift a person to standing to full-on chairs to live in.  Special seat cushions to avoid pressure sores, special wedges for between knees and ankles.

Clothes to make dressing easier and shoes that fit on swollen feet but still give stability.  I liked Silverts.ca for adaptive clothing.  Most of the solutions are designed to give an extended quality of life and offer some dignity.  My team loved dressing Mom in her new nighties and dresses with open backs.  Mom always looked sweet and fresh.

Look in the back corner at the drug store.  Lots of helpful bits here like pill cutters and crushers. Elevated toilet seats and soft toilet seat rings. Check the hardware store for grab bars but please make sure these are installed correctly.  And the list goes on!

Would videos on solving some of these problems and showing what tools were used be helpful?  We could do videos on security, best cars, clothing options, eating aids, a bed to chair lifts, shower options, grants, finance, personal care products.  What would you add to the list?  Which video would you like to see first?