Any experience with buying living aids for large sized people?

Hi.
I spent some time cruising the exhibitioner halls at the ASMBS meeting last week in Orlando.  There are a lot of companies out there that make oversized things for, typically, hospital clients. Mostly beds, patient transport chairs, etc, etc.

A minority, however, have things that they sell direct to consumers. This below was just one:

http://www.easierliving.com/  -  www.easierliving.com/

www.easierliving.com/catalog/Weight-People-of-Size,1384.htm

and other:   www.sizewise.net/Homecare.aspx

I was wondering, do any of you have any experience buying products like that?  If so, what things, and from what company? Probably a lot of companies out there, but most seem to focus on marketing to weight loss centers versus direct to consumers.   Here's a sample list of categories with lots of physical aids.

    * Ankle and Shin Supports
    * Bed Bolsters and Pads
    * Bed - OverBedTables
    * Bed Rails
    * Blood Pressure Monitors
    * Cleaners Disinfectants
    * Defibrillators
    * Dressing Assistance
    * Eating
    * Elbow Supports
    * Finger and Thumb Supports
    * Fitness Equipment
    * Food Preparation
    * Food Supplements
    * Heel Cups
    * Home Safety
    * Hot and Cold Therapy
    * Insoles
    * Knee Support
    * Mobility Equipment
    * Nutrition
    * Reachers and Grabbers
    * Shoulder Slings
    * Walkers Wheelchairs Cane

Anyway, let me know.   I'm wondering if this is any area where we could/should help build out any content or experience sharing areas.  Thanks.

There's a medical store within a 20 minute ride from me that carries a lot of these things.  The only area that is lacking deals with food such as eating, preparation, and things of that sort.  For food related items, another store that just deals with most of the nutrition need.  I'm not sure about the prep part.  I found that the only thing I've really needed was a grabber that I got when I was in a nursing home.  I need that because I'm short (I'm just about 5'1) and need help when my husband isn't around.

Depends on how large. I had no trouble finding oversized wheelchairs, rollators, walkers, lift chairs and shower benches for my 250 lb mother and 350+ lb father in regular medical supply stores and catalogs. 

I imagine things might be different for the SSMO, though, because I don't recall seeing much available beyond his weight range.

Hello Erik:  THank you for your post.  I think this is an area that needs work but has vastly improved from when I was younger and more obese (I was at one time 450# (at my highest recorded weight anyway)
                  I did order from a company known as Ample Stuff, Inc. (I believe this was the name) I am not sure if they are in business anymore but a person could order not just a company.  They did have alot of things (reach tools, personal hygiene tools, etc. and I believe some minor clothing like very large hospital gowns that didn't gap!) etc. so someone may  or may not be interested in checking them out also.
                    Again thanks for your posting and for bringing more awareness to a very needed product area!  Take care   Mary

 Brylane Large Sized Living has many chairs and benches for 500lb sized people.  Nice stuff.

http://www.brylanehome.com/Department.aspx?DeptId=19828

Hi- I work for a DME company that sells alot of the supplies you listed  - What can I help you with?

  Hmmm, I don't see toilet seats mentioned, but I bought a "Big John" seat back when I was a pre-op many years ago.  It's an over-sized, heavily-reinforced seat that you can switch out for the regular one on your commode in about 10 minutes.  I think they're designed to hold up to 600 lbs.  It was a great relief (no pun intended).      Pretty pricey, though, @ app. $130.00 back then ..  !  

Hi Eric,

I'll just add a little bit of information from talking with Alan Bingham of www.easierliving.com after you met him at the ASMBS conference.  Like you pointed out, it is nice to be able to deal with a company direct as a consumer.  They have an entire area on their website that is devoted to bariatrics, and us as WLS'ers. 

When I was pre-op, I needed some living assistive items and they were extremely hard to find and very costly.  It is nice to see that years later, companies are more sensitive to those daily living aids.

Cathy

the site I used is:

http://www.amplestuff.com/

[other than being a customer I do not have any relationship with them....]