Re: TV Lift

[Robert L Bass <sales@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Mine too.  I'm worried because the most recent bone
> density scans shows there's loss.  Mom is determined
> to resist all attempts to help, like bathtub rails and extra
> handrails even though she's taken two really bad falls
> in the last couple of years.  It just about drives me wild.

When we were children they worried about us.  But now...

> > My father doesn't have  good balance so he's afraid to
> > use a ladder.  He recently started using a cane
> > after taking a nasty spill out on the lanai last year.
>
> I wish my Mom would.  She's still concerned about
> "looking good" and doesn't like the idea of a cane, a
> walker or anything else to help her.  Maybe I need to
> invent "air bag" clothing so that if she falls again, her
> housecoat would blow up instantly to cushion her fall.

You might be able to get her to use a cane if you find something that looks very
stylish.  My brother bought a really nice one for my dad and he uses is when he
goes out.  He insists he doesn't care about appearances but he won't use a
crummy looking one.

>> I've been contemplating options to make things easier for
>> them too but haven't come up with any viable solutions.
>
> It's a very difficult balance.  My folks are still in denial
> about being older, more fragile, more clumsy and more
> likely to fall.  They also still live in the time when no one
> locked their doors at night and I have to remind them
> constantly to be careful, to set the alarm, etc.

You can hardly blame them.  No one wants to think about his own mortality,
especially not the aged.  The key seems to be in finding ways to make them feel
young while protecting them.  If you can use technology enable them to live
independently you will have given them a wonderful gift.  The tough part is
getting them to accept the technology.  My dad is a retired engineer so it's not
as hard getting him to accept new hardware.

>> One thing that comes to mind is those systems that
>> restaurants use to store dishes.  They're spring loaded
>> (I think) so that as each plate is removed the next one
>> rises to the surface.  Perhaps some variation on the
>> method might work.
>
> Hey, I never figured out how those suckers worked.  How
> would I build one?!!

They're simple, spring loaded devices.  The spring tension increases as more
plates are stacked on top, keeping the whole pile just at counter height.  As
more plates are removed the load lightens and the stack rises.

> Not acceptable to Mom who needs to scrub every dog
> hair and kibble micro-particle from the tray every day
> - sometimes twice or even three times!

My wife is like that.  If a speck of dust lands anywhere in the county she hits
it with Lysol, scrubs the surrounding area with anti-septic and dries it off
with sterile gauze.  And we have a maid.  :^)

> It's clear the modern house is still not designed with the
> handicapped or even the elderly in mind.  As Dad spends
> more and more time in his powerchair I really see a need
> for a kitchen with a "height switch."  When he enters in
> the chair, the countertops should all drop to wheelchair
> height along with all the high cabinets dropping down
> accordingly.

It would be simpler (and more realistic unless you've got Bill Gates' budget) to
renovate with lower cabinets.  A less expensive option would a power chair with
a power-lift seat.  Do those exist?  Surely someone else has thought of that
idea by now.

> It's a real problem to accommodate both standing and
> sitting occupants in an area like the kitchen.

My father's favorite pastimes are playing the organ (he's quite good though he
doesn't believe it) and watching TV.  Actually, his TV watching consists mainly
of switching channels.  I've shown him how to use the "guide" button but he
prefers to keep scrolling away.  :(

> I had hired some helpers for them but when a credit card
> went missing that was the end of that.

I run a simple test to see if they're honest.  I leave a precise amount of money
in the dresser drawer each day and deliberately leave the drawer partly open
when I leave.  It's enough money that one might assume R$50 or R$100 wouldn't be
missed.  I count the money when I return.  So far nothing has ever gone missing.
One of the girls who work in our home is the daughter of my mother-in-law's
maid.  The mother has worked for my Brazilian family for nearly 30 years.  I'm
not at all worried about her and the other gal has shown herself to be quite
honest as well.  The tough part will not be finding honest help but getting them
a US visa.  The government is making it more and more difficult.

>> Concerns over my parents make me feel a bit more
>> tolerant of people like DH who can't get around as
>> easily as the rest of us.  :^)
>
> To understand someone, it's important to walk a mile in
> their shoes.

Tough one there since he's in a chair.  He makes it difficult to empathize with
his antics but, c'est la Usenet, eh?

> These newsgroups are so valuable in so many ways
> that it really breaks my heart when people seem
> determined to ruin them for other people.

There will always be those whose pleasure in life is to annoy others.  Most of
it is born of jealousy.  Some cause trouble attempting to pander to the baser
elements.  Whatever their reasons, the kill file deals effectively with them.
I'm glad there are a few thinking people who are willing to rebuke the trouble
makers though.  It helps newbies to understand what's what.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

Bass Burglar Alarms
The Online DIY Store
http://www.BassBurglarAlarms.com

--

Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups.