[MyBestieWithPPMS]

2 minutes ago
An anonymous caregiver said...
Hi, new to this group. My childhood friend of over 20 was diagnosed with primary progressive MS at the age of 30 soom after he was wheelchair bound. He has been in a scooter 100 percent for few years now his hands are going as well. He lives alone as of couple weeks ago and he has had many falls out of scooter. My concern is bed sores he has been hospitalized and right now they are worse theyve been his dr prescribed a J active gel cushion his insurance doesnt pay for it and its 300 is there any funding or programs to help with these things and place can get cheaper, He needs one so bad Or any suggetions of things he can do. He has government insurance and not much help

[Starznight]

I'm not confined to a wheelchair so I don't have a lot of information concerning bedsores. Is your friend able to enter into an assisted living program, where a nurse maybe able to help him resituate himself throughout the day? Or does he have someone who can help him?

Also what sort of cushion is he currently using, if any? If it's just the standard seat cushion that came with the scooter you could try for a cheaper alternative with a sheepskin cover for the cushion. It's not as ideal as the gel or air pads but should help to give some relief.

Unfortunately the only way to eliminate bedsores, really, is to move, either by your own power or the power of someone else moving you. Even if you have one of the active air cushions.

Also does his scooter allow for different positions? Can he recline? Or elevate his legs? Does he sit exclusively in his scooter when not in bed or is he able to transfer to a chair?

If he's able to transfer, places like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, or Habitat for Humanity Restores, may offer recliners in decent shape for little to no cost (SA will offer no cost furnishings and items to disabled persons) which your friend can sit in to take a break from the scooter.

I might also suggest calling the MS society hotline and see if they can offer some more information. I know you can get discounted cooling vests and such through a few of their programs, they may be able to assist your friend in finding a discount program for his mobility needs that works with his insurance (or lack there of).

Churches are another place that maybe able to assist. I'm not sure what, if any, religious affiliation you or your friend may have. But often times if you ask your pastor, priest or minister, they maybe able to ask the religious community for donations to provide assistance. (Or at least in the Catholic church, that's what happens and I've heard of it in other church groups just haven't been witness to them.)

Failing religious affiliation, if your city or town has a community center that maybe another place which you could turn to for assistance.

Hope some of these ideas help.

[tkrik]

I'm not sure why the insurance would not approve a seat cushion for him to help prevent bedsores. The doctor may need to resubmit the prescription and justify why he needs the cushion.

If that doesn't work, you can try calling the local National MS Society and see if they can get him one. As long as he has the prescription, they will help. Well, at least my local one does.

I also would ask for a wound care nurse as opposed to a regular nurse. They may be able to come up with ideas and solutions for his bedsores to help them heal.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[jprinz99]

if the doctors orders a wound clinic nurse to treat him that person can order a specific treatment paln, including any seating needs (new w/c cushion, special matress etc). They will nkow the exact phrases to use to justify the need. Insurance just needs the specific justification language to approve the request - trust me, insurance companies know that special equipment (ie special wc cushion) is A LOT cheaper than inpatient hospitalizations and wound flap surgery You are a sweet friend to help advocate for him!!