Guest guest Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Thanks, ! > > > > Hi all, > > I am pondering ideas to make things that persons with LBD can use. I recently purchased a 'rice pack' that you put in the microwave and it warms up to help ease aches/pains and also provide a warm base in a dog's bed to keep them warm (that is why I bought it). As I looked at that item, I was thinking that would be a good item for the elderly and those with LBD (and those living where there is so much now right now). > > > > So...I thought about making some small - perhaps 2 or 3 inches across - rolls with the rice in it. Then it could be put in the microwave and then placed in the grip of the cold hands. I seem to remember when my Grandma was in a nursing home, that they used to put a rolled up wash cloth or something in her hand (she had arthritis and also strokes). > > > > If you all think that this is a good idea, I was thinking of making a lot of these (I am still able to do that much) and then the difference between the cost of the item would be donated to the Lewy Body Association. > > > > My mom was just in the mild/moderate stage of LBD so I don't know if there would be other uses for this heated rice pack. I do know that Mom was Cold almost all of the time. Perhaps a pack that fits inside a pocket on a shawl, or a pack that fits in the pocket of a lap blanket? > > > > I do appreciate any comments that you have, > > > > Hugs and prayers, > > > > Joan > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I would probably start with my Caregiver Support Group, and the Assisted Living and Nursing homes that I visit to distribute my business cards and LBD info. I could probably make a flyer that could be kept for people to call me. I wouldn't start out making a thousand of them because I am on permanent disability and it doesn't even pay my bills. Just thought maybe there are things to help those with LBD and other folks in the AL and NH. I am sure that I could find many other ideas from you all out there! > > Joan, > > I guess safety might be an issue. If someone decided to see what was inside and chewed or dug at it to unwrap it. And then ate the rice. > > I made a Muff for my Aunt while she was in a NH and the first thing they did was cut the loop off I had put on it to help her keep track of it by just putting it around her neck. She never lost it even without the loop! As a matter of fact she use to wipe her nose on it so they washed it a lot. And they couldn't send it down to the laundry because she wouldn't give it to them. So they had to wash it on the floor where she lived. What was so funny is when she died, there were a few women there who wondered what was going to become of her muff. (They weren't to concerned about her.) One of them got it. I made it out of the fleece stuff that is so popular so it must have been warm. > > Do you have a NH close to sell them at? Or how would you distribute them. (Just playing the devils advocate.) > > Hugs, > > Donna R > > Cared for Mom 3 years in my home and the last year at a nh. She passed away from LBD in 2002. > > > I Need Your Opinions > > Hi all, > I am pondering ideas to make things that persons with LBD can use. I recently purchased a 'rice pack' that you put in the microwave and it warms up to help ease aches/pains and also provide a warm base in a dog's bed to keep them warm (that is why I bought it). As I looked at that item, I was thinking that would be a good item for the elderly and those with LBD (and those living where there is so much now right now). > > So...I thought about making some small - perhaps 2 or 3 inches across - rolls with the rice in it. Then it could be put in the microwave and then placed in the grip of the cold hands. I seem to remember when my Grandma was in a nursing home, that they used to put a rolled up wash cloth or something in her hand (she had arthritis and also strokes). > > If you all think that this is a good idea, I was thinking of making a lot of these (I am still able to do that much) and then the difference between the cost of the item would be donated to the Lewy Body Association. > > My mom was just in the mild/moderate stage of LBD so I don't know if there would be other uses for this heated rice pack. I do know that Mom was Cold almost all of the time. Perhaps a pack that fits inside a pocket on a shawl, or a pack that fits in the pocket of a lap blanket? > > I do appreciate any comments that you have, > > Hugs and prayers, > > Joan > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 Joan: I use corn in my bags. I have corn bags for myself and I make them as " for sale " items with my B & B Logo. Mostly I use them for warming my cold feet in bed. (Ray used to do that : ) ) They stay warm for 2 or 3 hours. They also work if I need a ice pack on a sore muscle or something. Just put it in the freezer for a few hours rather than a microwave. Rice would probably be easier for most of you to get but we get whole corn from any feed store. Many hardware stores now have it in their bird feed aisle. I would think little ones for the hands would be nice. They probably wouldn't stay warm too long but just to have since most LBD patients clutch their hands. I suppose you could make a " snake " for around the neck. The thing I might suggest is to be sure to sew with small stitches that do not rip out as easy and that you make a flannel bag cover for it. I would think they would be very comforting to many elderly folks not just LBD patients. Good luck, Leona Leona: Caregiver for husband Ray, age 68, diagnosed 2/04 with Parkinson's Disease. Changed doctors, diagnosed 6/06 with LBD. Almost continual downhill slide no matter what drugs we try. 5/2/08 Ray was placed in Sunrise Nursing Home in Oswego, NY, 1 hour from home. So far, so good! Hardest thing I have ever done in my life, however. 3/19/09 transferred to Samaritan Keep NH in Watertown, NY closer to home. He passed peacefully at 5:18 am on April 14, 2009. I am handling it OK. 'Love is not finding someone to live with; it's finding someone you don't want to live without.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 They use those heat bags in our nursing home, but have to wrap it in a towel to protect the patient. ________________________________ To: LBDcaregivers Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 5:07:42 PM Subject: Re: I Need Your Opinions  Thanks, ! > > > > Hi all, > > I am pondering ideas to make things that persons with LBD can use. I recently >purchased a 'rice pack' that you put in the microwave and it warms up to help >ease aches/pains and also provide a warm base in a dog's bed to keep them warm >(that is why I bought it). As I looked at that item, I was thinking that would >be a good item for the elderly and those with LBD (and those living where there >is so much now right now). > > > > So...I thought about making some small - perhaps 2 or 3 inches across - rolls >with the rice in it. Then it could be put in the microwave and then placed in >the grip of the cold hands. I seem to remember when my Grandma was in a nursing >home, that they used to put a rolled up wash cloth or something in her hand (she >had arthritis and also strokes). > > > > If you all think that this is a good idea, I was thinking of making a lot of >these (I am still able to do that much) and then the difference between the cost >of the item would be donated to the Lewy Body Association. > > > > My mom was just in the mild/moderate stage of LBD so I don't know if there >would be other uses for this heated rice pack. I do know that Mom was Cold >almost all of the time. Perhaps a pack that fits inside a pocket on a shawl, or >a pack that fits in the pocket of a lap blanket? > > > > I do appreciate any comments that you have, > > > > Hugs and prayers, > > > > Joan > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 HI Diane, The one that I purchased was supposed to be for the dogs to lay on to warm them...my chihuahuas would rather be on top of me or under a blanket. It is about 8 x 8...but for the ones for the hands, I would make with not too thick of a rice base in a cotton/linen fabric and then that would be enclosed in a flannel..it worked great. The amount of rice that I would be able to fit in one for the hand would be minimal and wouldn't be hard but pliable so that the person could also be squeezing. The rice pack cannot be washed, but the flannel outer case would be washable. I am in the planning stage...and will certainly test it on several people...people that have different issues with their hands also. I think that having the part that is in the palm of the hand a bit loosely filled would also help with issues where the person needs some tactile stimulation. A tight stitch would be necessary so that rice would not be able to get out and it would also be more durable. Thank you for your comments. > > > > > > Joan, > > > > > > I guess safety might be an issue. If someone decided to see what was inside and chewed or dug at it to unwrap it. And then ate the rice. > > > > > > I made a Muff for my Aunt while she was in a NH and the first thing they did was cut the loop off I had put on it to help her keep track of it by just putting it around her neck. She never lost it even without the loop! As a matter of fact she use to wipe her nose on it so they washed it a lot. And they couldn't send it down to the laundry because she wouldn't give it to them. So they had to wash it on the floor where she lived. What was so funny is when she died, there were a few women there who wondered what was going to become of her muff. (They weren't to concerned about her.) One of them got it. I made it out of the fleece stuff that is so popular so it must have been warm. > > > > > > Do you have a NH close to sell them at? Or how would you distribute them. (Just playing the devils advocate.) > > > > > > Hugs, > > > > > > Donna R > > > > > > Cared for Mom 3 years in my home and the last year at a nh. She passed away from LBD in 2002. > > > > > > > > > I Need Your Opinions > > > > > > Hi all, > > > I am pondering ideas to make things that persons with LBD can use. I recently purchased a 'rice pack' that you put in the microwave and it warms up to help ease aches/pains and also provide a warm base in a dog's bed to keep them warm (that is why I bought it). As I looked at that item, I was thinking that would be a good item for the elderly and those with LBD (and those living where there is so much now right now). > > > > > > So...I thought about making some small - perhaps 2 or 3 inches across - rolls with the rice in it. Then it could be put in the microwave and then placed in the grip of the cold hands. I seem to remember when my Grandma was in a nursing home, that they used to put a rolled up wash cloth or something in her hand (she had arthritis and also strokes). > > > > > > If you all think that this is a good idea, I was thinking of making a lot of these (I am still able to do that much) and then the difference between the cost of the item would be donated to the Lewy Body Association. > > > > > > My mom was just in the mild/moderate stage of LBD so I don't know if there would be other uses for this heated rice pack. I do know that Mom was Cold almost all of the time. Perhaps a pack that fits inside a pocket on a shawl, or a pack that fits in the pocket of a lap blanket? > > > > > > I do appreciate any comments that you have, > > > > > > Hugs and prayers, > > > > > > Joan > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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