heatherlev
New member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2005
- Messages
- 7
Hi all, and happy holidays.
My 35 year old brother lives in Michigan (USA) with my parents (ages 68 and 64). He can still eat, talk, and breathe, but uses a Bipap at night and uses a wheelchair, and needs assistance with many activities. His oxygen level was recently tested and was at 88% during the day. The doctor said he needs to use the Bipap "more" during the day (don't think he specified exactly how much more).
I have a lot of questions and was wondering if anyone has experience or thoughts:
1. What does it mean that oxygen level is 88%? At what level does it become dangerous? How often should this be monitored (is once a month enough)? Should the oxygen level be monitored at home? Can or should we get an oxymeter?
2. Specifically how many hours during the day should my brother wear the Bipap? Should the Bipap be brought from room to room with him?
3. What do we do if my brother gets a cold, so the Bipap still works?
4. Are there exercises my brother should learn to help improve his breathing? Like “frog breathing”
5. Can/should my brother get the pneumovax vaccine?
6. What emergency or first aid techniques should Mom & Dad be trained in, in case of a respiratory emergency, swallowing problem, etc.?
7. Is the Bipap enough, or at what point do we have to consider the trach?
8. If my brother decides to use a trach, and wants to stay at home, what resources are needed and available? How many hours per day of nursing care is needed? How many hours of home health assistance? Does he need 24 hour nursing care, or can he just have some nursing and some home health assistance? How many hours of what kind of care is covered by insurance, and what comes out of pocket? What equipment is needed? What would mom & dad have to know or be responsible for, for instance if the equipment broke or there was a power outage?
10. If it is too difficult or expensive for my brother to stay at home, then where would he live? What services would be provided wherever he goes to? What facilities are available?
My 35 year old brother lives in Michigan (USA) with my parents (ages 68 and 64). He can still eat, talk, and breathe, but uses a Bipap at night and uses a wheelchair, and needs assistance with many activities. His oxygen level was recently tested and was at 88% during the day. The doctor said he needs to use the Bipap "more" during the day (don't think he specified exactly how much more).
I have a lot of questions and was wondering if anyone has experience or thoughts:
1. What does it mean that oxygen level is 88%? At what level does it become dangerous? How often should this be monitored (is once a month enough)? Should the oxygen level be monitored at home? Can or should we get an oxymeter?
2. Specifically how many hours during the day should my brother wear the Bipap? Should the Bipap be brought from room to room with him?
3. What do we do if my brother gets a cold, so the Bipap still works?
4. Are there exercises my brother should learn to help improve his breathing? Like “frog breathing”
5. Can/should my brother get the pneumovax vaccine?
6. What emergency or first aid techniques should Mom & Dad be trained in, in case of a respiratory emergency, swallowing problem, etc.?
7. Is the Bipap enough, or at what point do we have to consider the trach?
8. If my brother decides to use a trach, and wants to stay at home, what resources are needed and available? How many hours per day of nursing care is needed? How many hours of home health assistance? Does he need 24 hour nursing care, or can he just have some nursing and some home health assistance? How many hours of what kind of care is covered by insurance, and what comes out of pocket? What equipment is needed? What would mom & dad have to know or be responsible for, for instance if the equipment broke or there was a power outage?
10. If it is too difficult or expensive for my brother to stay at home, then where would he live? What services would be provided wherever he goes to? What facilities are available?