Hospital/ Ambulance/ Rehab Suggestions

Author: Furniture Reporter  |  Category: News

A hospital is usually equipped with items for the larger individual. But I insisted on an air bed mattress, for on top of bed, due to back problems.  Instead of taking all my meds with me, I took labels off of old bottles.  I put them on a sheet of paper.  Easier for anytime, you need to show prescriptions use.

Ambulances are becoming more bariatric friendly.  Some are beginning to carry wider gurneys/ stretchers. BUT, if you need to call for one, their advice was to be sure to tell the dispatcher, that you are a large/ obese person.  My experience was 2 men having difficulty transporting me. Four people would have made the job easier.  No, SIRENS weren’t used.

Rehab/ Nursing home carried a few more challenges for people of size.  First, there wasn’t any bariatric equipment to accommodate me.  A heavier bed had to be specially ordered. I’m not sure whether, I will be billed separately for that item. I was expected to bring my own wheelchair, (luckily I already had a loaner), & a commode never arrived.  I understand that many such places are not equipped to handle someone over 200+ pounds.  For whatever reason, our world is becoming more occupied with heavier people.  They have needs, too.  This has to be addressed in many areas.

My memory is of a very large man, jammed into a wheelchair, half his size.  I commented to someone, that it had to be uncomfortable for him.  Reply was, that they only had one & it was occupied! So check out places before you need it.

Incidentally, the staff, care, food was Great!

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