A friend of my daughters from high school stopped over after work yesterday and we started talking about muscular dystrophy and the way that org. will give or loan equipment to people in need.
It got me thinking about all the equipment and special clothing I have purchased for Bill that he never uses.
Does the alzheimer's community have anything similar to that.

It seems that I will purchase clothing for Bill and after a couple months, he can't use them. I am in the process right now of shipping some of his special clothes to someone who is at that phase.

I now have a wheelchair that he no longer can use, a walker, a bedside commode, a shower bench and a transfer bench that he only used twice. Also have pajamas that zip up the back, pants and shirts that fasten with velcro, shoes that are easier to put on that he wore once. I would love to be able to give these items to someone who could use them. I just received six sets of sweat pants and sweat shirts ' Pants that can be put on while he is sitting in the wheelchair and sweat shirts that fasten up the back so I don't have to put them over his head and then try to unbend his arms to get them through the sleeves. Water proof pads and hospital gowns that I would have no use for after my journey it over. What do you do with these items?

Could we get something like this started, maybe. I would have no problems giving or receiving used items. What do you think?

Excellent idea, Joyce. Shortly after Mother died, I loaded up so much stuff and took some to a private very small assisted living home, gave the majority to Mother's hospice nurse who passed it all along to those in need that she worked with, and then took all the unopened and partially used medicines to the free health clinic, which was most appreciative since they give out free medicines.

I tihnk getting an exchange going on this board would be beneficial to some, although shipping costs may outweigh the effective on things such as wheelchairs. BUT, it would be nice if the association would clue in on the idea, go nationwide with it, and also pay for S/H costs. Perhaps if there is a local AD chapter in your area, you might enlist their help for local donations.

But I know what you mean. With all the "special stuff" I kept buying that I thought might be of some use, the house begin looking like a mini facility. I bought so much stuff from the AD store, Buck's and some other place catering to AD patients that offered specialized books, videos, CD's, toys, etc., I could have opened branch stores! Needless to say, nothing was that useful or entertaining that made it worthwhile to buy all that. The absolute most useful, entertaining and loving activity we did was when we sat together on the sofa, holding hands, and just being quiet or talking and singing.

I agree Joyce, some of the best times are when I move Bill's chair next to mine and lay my head on his shoulder and hold his hand. I sing to him, poor guy he can't leave and has to listen. I really shouldn't torture him that way.

I gave Helen's things to a residential AL home. I still have her 2 electric mobility scooters though. Not sure why I'm hanging on to those but I'll still keep them for awhile.

I gave Mom's things (pull-ups and chux) to a nursing home. I still have her chair, which kinda creeps me out because she died in it. My brother bought it though and I think he is planning on taking it with him when he comes back for a visit. Why, I have no idea. I set the bath chair and commode seat thingy ot on the curb and within an hour, it was gone. I wasn't thinking and all I knew was I wanted to be rid of this stuff. Hopefully the things went to someone who needed them.

I think contacting the AD assoc. is an awesome idea. Or even to contact one of the in home nursing places and see if any of their clients need these items. Maybe even hospice. Those would be more community based but at least the equipment would still be getting used. Sadly, there are families starting this journey every second of every day. It would be great to be able to have an avenue where they could go to get things to help them out.

Joyce, if your thought is to give some of these things away it might be worthwhile looking into some of the more remote areas around where you live. I know for me, being 3-4 hours away from any major city, makes it difficult to get anything in a timely manner. By the time I get whatever I have requested the need is pretty much over. Just a thought.

I'd be will to mail some of the clothing is someone could use them. Like you said Linda, by the time I get whatever I order, he has already passed that stage or passes it soon after.
I'm heading to the post office today to send out a package. The clothes are almost new since he only used them for a couple of months. Same thing goes for shoes. I bought him a pair that was going to be easy for him to put on and take off. He wore them twice.

Brilliant Pay Forward Concept... When my nana passed, we had so much stuff we gave to St. Vincent Depaul and you never really knew if it went to use or to waste.

J Winslow - I am curious to know what AD Chapter had to say about organizing this exchange.

Have you tried a 'Freecycle' website in your area?
You post what you have available and people email you back if they are interested - no shipping to worry about - they come and pick up.
I have used the chicago free cycle to get rid of big items that Purple Hearts & Salvation Army couldn't take.

Ideally,I wish we could have a warehouse or storage facility to place this stuff and send it out when/where people need it. Like a Co-Op or something like that.
I believe that more and more poeple will be at-home caregivers and will need help finding/purchasing these items - it can get costly.

Take care
Eileen

Eileen,

With Bill's brother and sister now diagnosed with AD, I guess I'll find plenty of use for everything I have