The holiday season is in full swing! This season is for loved ones, tradition, food, and celebration. Throughout the world, many of us turn to gift-giving to show our love to others. Looking for a special gift for someone who lives with pulmonary fibrosis? We’ve got ideas that run from stocking stuffers to splurges.
1. Something for Younger Family Members
Talking to younger family members about pulmonary fibrosis can feel intimidating, but the book Pete the Puffing’s Brave Adventure can make the conversation easier. Reading the story to children or grandchildren will gently explain the disease in an understandable way and will provide a chance to share what young family members need to know.
2. Laundry Bag with Rollers
Few of us love doing laundry, but it sure is easier if you don’t have to carry a hamper to and from wherever you do your laundry. Selections of hampers with rollers or wheels are available from many retailers such as Wal-mart, Target, and Amazon.
3. Perch Chair or Stool for Cooking
Standing at the kitchen counter or over a stovetop can become tiring, especially if you are also stirring, chopping, or lifting pots and pans. Take a tip from architects and artists who often work long hours at high tables – there is furniture to make this kind of work more comfortable. Items of this type are called perch stools, counter stools, standing desk chairs, or drafting chairs. They allow you to lean or remain seated while at the proper height for many kitchen or other working tasks. Find options at Amazon, Home Depot, or from assistive device suppliers like Essential Aids.
4. Foot Scrubber for shower
Showering is a common cause of fatigue as pulmonary fibrosis progresses. If you can sit down in the shower, a foot scrubber can eliminate the need to raise your legs or to bend down to scrub your feet. Use caution and remain seated when using this to prevent slips or falls. View Foot Scrubber from Amazon or this one from VivaHealth.
5. Oxygen Tank Holder for Wheelchair
There may come a point where walking long distances and lugging a large oxygen tank become just too cumbersome. If this happens, some people choose to extend their mobility with a scooter or wheelchair. But how can scooter or wheelchair users carry their oxygen? If the durable medical equipment provider can’t provide a good solution, there are options. Add a tank holder such as this one from Medline at Home or this O2 Cylinder Holder from 1800Wheelchairs.com.
6. Slip-on shoes
Bending over to put on or tie shoes can sometimes be difficult for those with pulmonary fibrosis. Slip-on technology is now available making it possible to have comfortable sneakers that you can put on without bending over. Have you tried Skechers? Other shoe brands have similar styles, but Skechers has an especially wide selection of styles for men and women.
7. Lightweight Pots or Pans
Many people love cooking with cast iron, but let’s face it, that cast iron skillet is heavy and makes cooking harder for those with chronic illness. If you’d like to lighten the load, replace heavy skillets or heavy pots and pans with something lighter. Lighter-weight cookware is often made of stainless steel, which is a fine material for cooking. For a single pan, look for a weight of 1 to 1 1/2 pounds (for online orders, you can estimate this using the stated shipping weight). Here is one option: Farberware Classic Stainless Steel frying pan.
8. Alex Tech 25 Foot Cord Protector
For those who use oxygen 24/7, one common complaint is that the tubing gets curled up or kinks. Several PF Warriors have tried and had success with Alex Tech 25ft – 3/8 inch Cord Protector Wire Loom Tubing Cable to help keep the tubing in line.
9. Ginger-Flavored Drops for Cough
Ginger, lemon, and honey are natural substances recommended for chronic cough. Available in a variety of flavors, try these Ginger flavored drops from Amazon.
10. Something to Talk About
This one may be one of the most important gifts that you can give your loved ones. It’s free, but it’s not going to be easy. Talking about and planning for the end of your life means facing things that most of us find uncomfortable and are reluctant to bring up. Still, it’s inevitable, all of us are going to face the end of our lives someday, regardless of our health condition right now. The Conversation Project helps people share what is important to them at the end of their life. If you haven’t had that conversation, maybe this is the time to start.
Download free The Conversation Starter Guide.
