Home Automation and how it's helpful

Home automation is the automation of the home and household work or activities through the use of items that can be controlled through a timer, motion sensor, smartphone, or other avenues. 
This kind of automation can be used to streamline one's home and can also be used to increase the quality of life for those who may otherwise need specialized care through a caregiver or an institution such a group home. The use of items that can automate one's home can be pivotal in allowing people to maintain their independence while also enabling these people to be able to engage in the activities that are meaningful to them. Homes that have this capability have also been called "Smart Homes", implying that the home has the ability to achieve tasks that other homes without home automation would be unable to do.

Home automation tools that can be used through one's smartphone can be pivotal to being able to effectively use these tools, and without a smartphone or similarly associated tablet, it may be difficult to utilize home automation tools to their full potential. Being able to properly access these tools will allow the user to turn on lights, lock doors, control the temperature in the home, control appliances, maintain home security, and do a variety of other tasks. For more on what different kinds of home automation tools can do for you, and how these tools could work for you, follow this link: home automation possibilities. One of these home automation systems is the Iris by Lowe's. This system is connected through the home's Wifi and can be used to control most of the above areas that were touched upon above.

  

From locking doors at night, to making sure all the lights are off before bed, Iris allows one to access the full use of their home without having to make all the individual changes to the home one at a time. This could be very important for those who are currently living a disability or with a limitation that does not allow them to reach all parts of the home in a timely and safe manner while they are alone. For these people, having a smart home where a person can ensure their home is safe and secure without having to go and check each area can be key in maintaining one's independence. Use of a Smart Home to Adults with Disabilities

Whether one decides to use the Iris system from Lowe's, or one if prefers to go with a custom home automation system like the one in the video above, it is clear to see that home automation can be effectively used to help people maintain a higher quality of life, especially in regards to the elderly or those with disabilities.

Home automation enables people like the elderly or those with disabilities to be able to engage in the activities they need and want to be able to do without taking away their independence or sacrificing quality of life to do so. However, this is an avenue that many homeowners and people with a steadily declining quality of life such as the elderly or those with disabilities do not seriously consider. This may be because of how new this technology is and it therefore has not become widely known as a possibility for these people, or because of its cost and perceived difficulty to set up. When considering the cost of a daily aide or another vehicle to help one accomplish a similar goal, modifying the home to make it a "Smart Home" is a cost-saving option that one does not have to keep paying for in order for it to work for you. Approximate cost of making your home "smart". As far as difficulty is concerned, one may be surprised that setting up a home automation tools are not as complicated as one might think. Getting Started with Home Automation. Modifying one's home with home automation tools in order to create a smarter home may be an effective way to increase the quality of life for oneself, or a loved one, and should not be overlooked when considering methods to maintain independence. There is no one right answer to how to properly approach maintaining quality of life without sacrificing independence for each individual, but a smart home may just be an overlooked answer that could help a good amount of people.

Urinary Catheter Types

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When we first needed to cath my daughter, I was handed a box of stiff plastic catheters, a bottle of betadine, and a squeeze bottle of KY jelly.  First off, I was appalled that we were supposed to reuse the same 20 caths for a month.  But more importantly, I had no idea that there were any other available options.

Fortunately, I soon was introduced to a new urological supply company that was happy to suggest products, get them approved through insurance, and allow us to experiment a bit.  After about ten free sample trials, we found the perfect solution that minimized mess, was easy to use, eliminated discomfort, and was completely sterile from start to finish.

This article is designed to introduce you to the various types of catheters out there, in hopes that no one else will have to go through the horror that was our first few weeks of cathing.

How to figure out total width of a wheelchair

Overall widths and other dimensions vary across several categories of Wheelchairs. Almost all wheelchair buyers should be concerned with some of the basic dimensions such as overall width. You should begin by scouting out the lay-of-the-land. Do this by identifying the smallest and narrowest doorways, passage ways, elevators, or whatever you can think of or visualize that will be part of your day. Around the home it's usually a bathroom door or narrow hallway that limits access. Heavier users with wider chairs may see obstacles at every turn.

In general, use the formulas below to determine the overall width of a wheelchair:

• Transport Wheelchair: Seat Width + 3"
• Standard Folding Wheelchair: Seat Width + 8"
• Reclining Wheelchairs: Seat Width + 8"
• Bariatric Wheelchairs: Seat Width + 8"

Using the formula above, a standard wheelchair with a standard size seat of 18" wide would be (18" seat width + 8" = 26" overall width).

Positioning for Babies and Children with GERD or Respiratory Issues

Many special needs children and babies require special positioning after eating or when they sleep to prevent reflux or to enhance respiration.  I've just come across this Tucker Sling, which looks like a simple positioning solution.  Has anyone used it?  What are your thoughts?

http://tuckersling.com/default.htm

DME Providers: Wright and Filippis Says Good Bye to Rehab Equipment for Southwest Michigan

Today we were informed that Wright and Filippis, will no longer be providing rehab equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, bath chairs etc. to southwest Michigan (for full list of counties see bottom of post.)
Wright and Filippis states they are changing direction, they will continue to fulfill contracts in the Grand Rapids area.


When asked why the change of direction the Wright and Filippis representative did not have much information.  I would imagine poor Medicaid reimbursement may be the reason for Writght and Filipis' 'change in direction.'  Southwest Michigan has a heavy concentration of Medicaid and Medicare neither of which reimburses vendors much above their costs.


Poor Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement has forced several DME companies out of business over the last 5 years.  Maybe Wright and Filippis' decision is based on self preservation.  Please continue to contact your senators and state representatives to let them know Medicaid and Medicare are important to the elderly, and handicapped of our state and by cutting reimbursement costs not only are people going without necessary medical equipment but we are further cutting the throats of businesses and corporations in our state which we need for commerce and for jobs. 

DD Special Needs: Orlando, Minature Golf with Down Syndrome Daughter

Our family, Anne, my 19-year old step daughter with Down Syndrome, Kellena 'normal' 12-year old daughter, my husband and I went to Orlando over Christmas break.  We went to Universal Studios Adventure Island (see post below.)


While in Orlando we played a game of miniature golf at Congo River Golf, an award winning miniature golf course.   The miniature golf course was like everything else in Orlando, incredible.  It had a coi pond, an alligator pen with at least 30 alligators, waterfalls, secret passages and twists, it was a very extravagant place. Our story of our time below our thoughts.

Anne and Kellena

 

Thoughts of miniature golf in our own words.

Anne, 19-year old with Down Syndrome:  Miniature golf okay, then she said I was awesome (I love Anne.)

Favorite:  Waterfalls and when her golf balls went in the water.

Least favorite:  Playing, not fun.

DD Special Needs: Autism Research Genetics

Autism Forms In The Womb, New Study Suggests

By Michelle Diament November 10, 2011

Children with autism appear to have significantly more brain cells than their typically developing peers, new research shows, offering evidence that the developmental disorder originates prenatally.
The finding comes from a small, preliminary study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association that looked at the brain composition of seven boys with autism and six typically developing males ages 2 to 16 who had died.

Read more in Disability Scoop...

Special Needs Kids: Assisted Communication-Hip Talker

Cerebral Palsy: Misunderstood,

Living With One Hand:

A recent conversation at the local gym left me surprised and made me wonder what others thought about the following situation:

I have Athetoid Cerebral Palsy which means I can control my arm about 60%.  I can wave hello to a passerby and turn on a light switch with my left hand – but that is about it.  My life with Cerebral Palsy has not stopped me yet… I invited my therapists to come watch me play soccer and basketball as I grew up.  I played the piano with my elbow, and I graduated college with my Masters in Occupational Therapy. 

The challenge I faced at the gym started as a simple conversation – she asked if I was married, to which I replied “yes, almost two years now.”  Then she asked a question that was more like a statement – “So would you abort if you got pregnant?” 

FEMA To Include Disability Advocates In Emergency Planning

By Michelle Diament, Disability Scoop

March 11, 2011

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is joining forces with a disability rights group in an effort to better serve people with special needs during disasters.

In a White House meeting Friday afternoon, FEMA is expected to sign a memorandum of agreement with the National Disability Rights Network, an umbrella group for the protection and advocacy organizations in each state. The agreement will ensure the advocates a seat at the table as FEMA plans for and responds to emergencies.

Click here to read more at Disability Scoop.

Federal Medicaid News

As states struggle to tackle soaring budget deficits, the nation’s top health official is offering advice on trimming Medicaid costs, but says cutting people with disabilities from the program is a no-no.

In a letter sent to governors across the country on Thursday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius offered suggestions for Medicaid cost savings, pointing out that 40 percent of 2008 spending on the program covered benefits that are considered optional.

Click to read more,
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/02/04/possible-medicaid-cuts/12193/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=February+4%2C+2010%3A+News+from+Disability+Scoop&utm_source=YMLP&utm_term=

Michigan Medicaid: Access to Adaptive Equipment Becoming More Difficult

I just got word today that Wright and Flippis will no longer be providing durable medical equipment for clients with straight Michigan Medicaid or Children's Special Healthcare Services. This is a huge hit to anyone with Michigan Medicaid especially handicapped kids.

This is my understanding of the Michigan Medicaid issues based on discussions with people from Mary Free Bed, University of Michigan and Wright and Flippis.

Disability Doll

Down Syndrome Dolls White Girl

Take a look at the doll in the picture. What do you see? You'll probably notice almost immediately that its face is not as “regular” as the rosebud-mouthed, snub-nosed dolls that come as standard in toy shops. But if you picked it up and examined it more closely, you'd see that they are not the only features that you don't find on a “normal” doll: a horizontal crease in the palm of the hand, the ears set low on the head, a flattened bridge across the nose, a slightly protruding tongue.

Playing with Severely Impaired Special Needs Kids - Part 1

As professionals working with children that have severe disabilities we have found that there are ways to play with common toys and connect with your loved one and motivates them to move and do things you may not have seen before!  These short clips reveal just that - simple techniques of how to make "play time" with your child more fun for both them and you.  

This video is embedded through YouTube. 
What do you find that severely impaired kids like to play with?

Positioning Standers Improve Health

RIFTON DYNAMIC STANDER

Positioning standers play a very important role for people who are unable to weight bear independently, especially children and people with neurological disorders. Positioning standers not only provide alternative ways of positioning besides sitting, but there is also a long list of health benefits.

The most obvious benefit of standing is weight bearing. Weight bearing increases bone density, which is so very vital to people in wheelchairs. Without weight bearing, bones become brittle. Weight bearing also is the main premise of a very effective therapeutic intervention, NDT (Neurodevelopmental Treatment), which is widely used with people with neurological issues.