During the last few weeks, I have read a lot of articles about COVID-19 and have also read some posts from people who have experienced the illness. COVID-19 is not a predictable virus. Some people experience mild symptoms that resolve in a few days, and others experience a lengthy struggle with symptoms that seem to strengthen and resolve and strengthen again, sometimes resulting in the need for hospitalization after weeks. It is important for a person to be able to monitor several things at home, and many people are monitoring things at home that are normally treated in the hospital. For those of us who are blind, this means that having access to usable medical equipment is especially important.
Below is a discussion of the equipment that Kevin and I have located that enables us to do this safely. If this seems overwhelming, please know that sometimes it has felt that way for us. But we have lived with the need to do this for a long time because of other chronic illnesses. COVID is a more serious thing that has made us change some of our practices; and I will discuss that too.
Equipment
Talking pulse-ox meter. This is the device that goes on your finger and measures your heart rate and oxygen level.
Several specialty companies offer talking thermometers; however, they are closed at this time. Google is your friend. Your pharmacy may be your friend–occasionally pharmacies have talking thermometers in stock, though it is rare. Failing that, your community is your friend. If necessary, buy a standard thermometer and find someone who is willing to monitor your temperature periodically, understanding that they are monitoring someone who is contagious. If you find a talking thermometer, it is more precious than gold! Keep it in a clean, sterils place at all times. When you are done using it, wipe it down and put it away, no matter how tired you are!
Talking blood pressure monitor
This monitor is different from the one that Kevin and I use but some principles may apply. (Our unit is older and technology has become more visually-oriented since we bought ours.) The monitor that Kevin and I use has a touch screen with a limited number of controls on it. It is possible to learn to use it successfully, but it is not possible to select from the memory menu. We use it strictly to take measurements.
Prodigy Voice talking glucose meter
Do not confuse this with any other talking Prodigy meters. Other meters will read the glucose measurement aloud but will not allow access to memory or read instructions about what to do in order to test. This meter does all of the above. Strips can be purchased without a prescription. This is good for us. Kevin’s blood sugar shot up recently during an illness and we will now monitor this.
Peak flow meter: This is a device that measures how much air you can blow out. There are numbers up the side of the meter, and a little slider goes up as you blow and stops at a number. I had my meter marked tactually every 50 numbers and I touch very gently with the tip of one finger to see where the slider has ended up. I can estimate fairly accurately by 10s.
Nebulizer: This is a machine that delivers liquid breathing medication via mist into a person’s lungs. It is not hard to use. It requires that you get the medication into the delivery cup, connect the cup via a hose to the machine (which also needs to be connected via hose), and turn it on. The most important part is that the cup must always be kept upright while it is being connected, otherwise the medication will drip out. This has nothing to do with blindness and everything to do with general coordination.
CPAP/BI-PAP: This is a machine that helps to keep the airway open while a person is resting/sleeping. I have read (but do not know certainly) that these are being used in some hospitals in place of ventilators. Kevin and I use CPAP due to sleep disorders and I can attest to the fact that it is relieving during asthma flare-ups. There is nothing fancy about setting it up. It is like a nebulizer with bigger hoses and no medicine. Some people (like myself) use water in their machines. In this case it is important to clean the water chamber periodically to prevent the build-up of bacteria. Google is your friend for cleaning instructions for CPAP. Never transport a CPAP machine with water in it.
Our Practices
Note: We have enough spsace that one of us can quarantine in part of the house and be able to sleep and use the bathroom separately from the other. If you cannot do this, you need to have a plan that enables you to:
- sleep separately
- communicate before coming out to use the bathroom
- disinfect the bathroom after the sick person has used it
- care for the sick person with minimal contact if you must hand over supplies while the person is in bed
Other things that may help:
- Make things organized and easy to reach in the sick room.
- Keep a phone charged for yourself and the sick person.
- Know when to use the hospital.
- When the person recovers or goes to the hospital, wash all linens from the sick room.
- When the person recovers, throw out the toothbrush the person used and supply a new one to keep them from re-infecting when they brush their teeth.
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