1. Keep a medication list with proper medicine name, generic name, dosage, quantity/day. Also identify your Doctor's name, address and phone number. List any allergies. Also identify your pharmacy and their phone number.
2. Keep a list of monthly medical supplies you need. Many medical suppliers will deliver the same things every month. Make sure you know what your insurance will cover and what they won't - call them yourself and challenge every item you require that they will not pay for.
3. Keep your meds in a pill box. I use one with an electric timer to go off when I need my meds - keeps me from forgetting. They come with removable pill cartridges for 7 days, 1 cartridge for each day of the week. They're available at stores like Wal-Mart.
4. If you may have skin issues and/or are a potential candidate for bed sores we have had great success with the Tempur-Pedic® mattress. Consider the hospital liner which is a plastic/rubber waterproof liner. I do not need to be turned at all which is necessary on a normal mattress.
5. Always, always carry a cell phone. I programmed my spouse’s cell number under the name "ice" (in case of emergency). It's my understanding that police and EMS professionals will use your cell phone to identify an emergency contact if you are incapacitated. I also taught my kids how to call 911 on my cell phone.
6. I use an electric toothbrush like Sonicare® or Braun® which helps in two ways: 1- it's larger diameter is easier to hold and 2 - they do the work for you.
7. Check out this website for helpful ideas around the house. I would like to recommend a few things that have made my life easier and/or more comfortable/functional: install an auto door opener on your main entry door-they are great and are on a timer that will close the door behind you. Install a heat lamp outside your shower/bath area. Install a soap dispenser in your shower/bath. I have one that contains shampoo, soap and conditioner.
8. For those needing help getting back to work call your State operated Vocational Rehabilitation (that's what it's called in Michigan). It is funded by Federal Social Security Administration. Voc Rehab will pay for training, computers, college classes, vehicle modifications, workplace modifications, etc. to help you get back to work.
9. For those lacking in grip, or with no grip I find it useful to use Lubriderm® skin lotion - it helps me to pick up papers, turn pages, etc. I use grip tape found at local sporting goods store for all sorts of things like TV remote control, wheelchair parts, tools, etc. Also, I found the only pen that I can use is Liquid Expresso™ by Papermate®. Forks and spoons made for toddlers with rubber handles are a less expensive alternative to specialty utensils. For some reason companies make ladies' razors wider and easier to handle-it sure makes shaving easier.
10. For wheelchair parts I like to use Sportaid. They have low prices, big inventory and good service. You can find them on www.sportaid.com.
11. For computer users with compromised grip Kensington® makes a nice "trackball mouse" with programmable buttons. Logitech® makes keyboards with programmable buttons and shortcuts. Microsoft® also has many shortcuts that can be found in Windows help section under "keyboard shortcuts" and/or "Accessibility". Computer voice-activated software called Dragon Natural Speaking works well (I'm told).
12. Lap trays made from plastic with a beanbag bottom helps it balance in your lap and is useful for eating, reading, etc.
13. If you use “bluepads”, “chucks” or similar waterproof pads check out your local pet store – they make the same things for pet cages at a fraction of the cost.
14. It’s a good thing to have access to a kitchen drawer for cups to get your own water. Also, access to granola bars or other snacks is good so you can have something to eat with medication.
- In all things pray –
Case Management 
