Can someone help me help my dad?

[OilersBaby]

Hi everyone,

My parents live in Calgary. My dad has cancer. The radiation that was given to his chest area is causing a lot of pain in his throat/neck. Its uncomfortable to the point where he can't sleep laying flat in his regular bed. He feels more comfortable in a chair because his neck/head are elevated. For the past several nights he has been sleeping in a chair in my parent's living room. That isn't very comfortable either - he never gets a good nights sleep and it makes me sad because it's really important he stays strong to endure the chemotherapy/radiation treatments that he is going through. He is on his 5th round of chemo and has gone through 30 days of radiation thus far.

I know here in the US, there are home health companies or hospices that will rent hospital type beds to you if you are suffering from a long term illness such as cancer. They usually come and help you set the beds up in your house. These beds are the kinds where the front part can be elevated. Insurance here covers it.

Does anyone know where I can tell my mom and brother to go to get one of these beds for my dad..they are in Calgary. I tried looking online and I wasn't sure what would be good, and I dont want to send them to 1000 different places because she is my dad's caregiver and she needs to be told one place that will work for sure. I don't want her or my brother to have to run around too much.

I'm sure someone here on CP has needed something similar before. It's hard being so far away but I know CP can help me.

My brother is OILFAN 81 but since he just moved to Calgary fairly recently he isnt sure exactly where to go, plus he is helping my mom and spending time with my dad, so I thought I would start this thread and then he can follow up.

Thanks soo much in advance for your help.

[Coach]

There are regular beds that will do that as well. Each side is separate so one can be elevated while the other lays flat but they would still be in the same bed. Im pretty sure you can get them anywhere like Sleep Country

[OilersBaby]

yeah but these hospital ones..your insurance covers them, at least it does here in California with the insurance i have

[BlackArcher101]

Try calling the hospital and get a referral to a company.

[OilersBaby]

do you know what department i would call? just the regular cancer department? they would prolly know eh? yeah ill be on the phone with them first thing in the morning unless a CPer knows of a specific store/service before that.

I just want my dad to sleep nicely...

[monkeyman]

sorry to hear about your Dad.
I'm not sure if this is of any help or not, i just searched online. maybe give them a call or send them an email and they can point you in the right direction.

Hospice Calgary – Outreach and Education Center / Marketing and Development
Suite 900
833 - 4 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3T5
Telephone: (403) 263-4525
Fax: (403) 263-4524
E-Mail: info@hospicecalgary.com

OFFICE HOURS:
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Friday: 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

[devel]

Did some searching for you too and found this doc online. http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/co...and%20_You.pdf

Alberta Aids to Daily Living

Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) is a provincial program that provides
medical equipment and supplies to people who have a chronic health condition. A healthcare professional will discuss and assess your needs with you. Funding for equipment and supplies is cost-shared based on your income level. Ask your Community Care Coordinator for a pamphlet about AADL services or call the Calgary Aids to Daily Living office at

943-2100 for more information.

Hope your dad gets some much needed rest and recovers quickly.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

do you know what department i would call? just the regular cancer department? they would prolly know eh? yeah ill be on the phone with them first thing in the morning unless a CPer knows of a specific store/service before that.

I just want my dad to sleep nicely...

I would imagine the switchboard might even know where to direct you and if not, would send you to a person that would know. They are also there for information.

I'm not sure if this will help or not, but maybe give the health link # a try. It's at the top of this page. http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/yourhealth/ I'm guessing the toll free number will be location restricted and won't work for you. Worth a shot. Even though it's for medical advice about symptoms, they also will probably have an idea of who to go to. Best part is... you can try calling it right now, available 24/7.

But I would make sure there aren't requirements to get this covered by insurance. They might have a specific supplier you need to use.

[redforever]

HOME CARE + on Macleod Trail, just a bit north of the Southland Drive WalMart.

We have rented them for MIL, they are quite cheap to rent, especially if you want it for a month or more. And you can probably recoup the costs too.

[OilersBaby]

Thank you guys so much for all of your suggestions! This narrows it down for me a lot..I will make some phone calls in the morning and then pass along what I find to my mom/brother.

[OILFAN #81]

Thanks for the responses guys. It's appreciated. I'll make some calls in the morning and hopefully find a bed that works (OilersBaby is my sister for those who don't know).

[redforever]

Good luck on finding the bed, and good luck with your Dad.

Edit: by the way, Home Care+ will deliver the bed to your house as well if you do not have the appropriate truck or manpower to do so. Bit extra charge, but those beds are heavy, we found that out!!!

[OilersBaby]

that's really good to know that Home Care+ delivers because I konw the bed would fit in my parents' SUV or my brother's car. Do you know how much it costs to rent (and delivery) for longer than a month? Not that it matters, but just curious.

sweet, i think i found their website...so neil if you are reading this thread in the morning, here you go:
http://www.homecaremedicalsupply.com/products.htm and click on Equipment Rental.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

that's really good to know that Home Care+ delivers because I konw the bed would fit in my parents' SUV or my brother's car. Do you know how much it costs to rent (and delivery) for longer than a month? Not that it matters, but just curious.

sweet, i think i found their website...so neil if you are reading this thread in the morning, here you go:
http://www.homecaremedicalsupply.com/products.htm and click on Equipment Rental.

I think you mean it wouldn't fit in an SUV or a car. We needed a full truck box.

We got the manual type, they adjust by cranking by hand. Last time we rented was around 2 years ago, I think the cost was $150ish??? Probably a bit more now. I think that was a week but I think if you rent by the month, you get a better rate than that.

I have not been in all 3 stores in Calgary, just the one more to the south end of town on Macleod Trail, huge store with all kinds of home care aids.

[OilersBaby]

yeah i meant it wouldnt fit......delivery would be the best way.

yeah manual sounds good, dont need electric (its about 3 times the price). they have the rates on their website, manual is 150 for 8 weeks or something like that. and delivery seems to be 40 bucks which is great.

oilfan81 talk to mom (who is also a huge oilers fan btw, i should get her to logon to CP, then this website can be a family affair) and call this place. even if dad says he doesnt need it, he does...and this seems like a good deal. 150 for the manual for 2 months..not a big deal at all..

[redforever]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

yeah i meant it wouldnt fit......delivery would be the best way.

yeah manual sounds good, dont need electric (its about 3 times the price). they have the rates on their website, manual is 150 for 8 weeks or something like that. and delivery seems to be 40 bucks which is great.

oilfan81 talk to mom (who is also a huge oilers fan btw, i should get her to logon to CP, then this website can be a family affair) and call this place. even if dad says he doesnt need it, he does...and this seems like a good deal. 150 for the manual for 2 months..not a big deal at all..

At times like this, you just take the bull by the horns and do whatever needs to be done.

[FlamesAddiction]

Medicinal marijuana. I'm totally serious.

When my dad went through his cancer, it was a godsent. After coming down, you can sleep standing on your head.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by redforever

HOME CARE + on Macleod Trail, just a bit north of the Southland Drive WalMart.

We have rented them for MIL, they are quite cheap to rent, especially if you want it for a month or more. And you can probably recoup the costs too.

When my dad had cancer this is where we got most of our stuff.

I remember they had a thing where initially they would not deliver it if they had to lift it more than 5 steps or something, so we had to get them to waive that condition since my parents house has 6 steps on the deck in front.

So if this is an issue, I know they will bend on it.

[OilersBaby]

Originally Posted by Rathji

When my dad had cancer this is where we got most of our stuff.

I remember they had a thing where initially they would not deliver it if they had to lift it more than 5 steps or something, so we had to get them to waive that condition since my parents house has 6 steps on the deck in front.

So if this is an issue, I know they will bend on it.

Hey i just called them and they said that the stairs weren't an issue at all (if they wanted to have the bed upstairs in their bedroom). I guess they used to have that policy but not anymore...they can put the bed wherever you want it. They also dont have manual beds anymore, all electric, and 380 to rent for the 8 week period...and then if you need it longer, you rent for 8 week increments. Delivery is 60 dollars plus tax. You call and they deliver it 2-3 days later.

So OILFAN#81 aka Neil... this is the way to go for sure. I talked to mom already (I think you were in the shower or asleep still) and she said this sounds great and we will definately go with it.

I must say they were so nice and helpful when I asked all my questions! Canadians are the sweetest people ever and you take it for granted sometimes. And she had the nicest Calgarian accent ever.

http://www.homecaremedicalsupply.com/products.htm , their telephone number and address are on the main page of the website and the bed rental is under Equipment Rental. They dont do the manual anymore like I said.

[FireFly]

So glad to hear that your dad will get a restful night's sleep! I really hope everything works out well and he has a speedy recovery!