Portable oxygen for elderly parent
Discussion
My 80yr old mother has fibrosis making her breathing difficult so the hospital have issued her a Imogen Rove 6 portable oxygen machine with breathing tube that she can carry around with her.
Problem is she can’t remember what she was told about how to use it. She doesn’t know if she should only use it when out of breath, then turn it off, or use it all the time.
Anyone got experience of using these please?
Problem is she can’t remember what she was told about how to use it. She doesn’t know if she should only use it when out of breath, then turn it off, or use it all the time.
Anyone got experience of using these please?
My mum uses one with a fixed generator at home.
The portable is for when out and about and works on demand, you need to be drawing in breath to trigger it.
It has five settings (hers is set to 2) and is about the size of the image above, using a tube to the nose to deliver the oxygen.
You need to speak to whoever prescribed it as the oxygen setting is critical, too much oxygen is very dangerous for those with lung conditions. She will have been assessed and given a setting to use.
My mums is only for use when out and about, not for when sleeping for example.
The larger non portable type generate oxygen constantly (ie they aren’t “on demand”) so also carry an added risk of fire hazard if not used properly.
The fixed type also have a setting that only the prescriber should adjust.
The portable is for when out and about and works on demand, you need to be drawing in breath to trigger it.
It has five settings (hers is set to 2) and is about the size of the image above, using a tube to the nose to deliver the oxygen.
You need to speak to whoever prescribed it as the oxygen setting is critical, too much oxygen is very dangerous for those with lung conditions. She will have been assessed and given a setting to use.
My mums is only for use when out and about, not for when sleeping for example.
The larger non portable type generate oxygen constantly (ie they aren’t “on demand”) so also carry an added risk of fire hazard if not used properly.
The fixed type also have a setting that only the prescriber should adjust.
Just to add, my mum was originally told to use it for 16 hours per day (as therapy as well as to aid breathing as oxygen has some regenerative effects).
So using it just when breathless might not give you the full benefit.
My mum does still manage without it for short trips but does get breathless so we tend to take it everywhere.
The supply tubes get brittle and there is usually an engineer that will visit such as Baytree to service the unit quarterly.
Often you might be given “backup” oxygen in cylinders in case of equipment failure, and we’ve found the service to be exemplary.
The new portable units are a revelation but slightly heavy for older folks. For my mum, to maintain her independence, I also bought a used mobility scooter with basket for her to have the oxygen and also to get out and about, which has massively helped her mental health.
So using it just when breathless might not give you the full benefit.
My mum does still manage without it for short trips but does get breathless so we tend to take it everywhere.
The supply tubes get brittle and there is usually an engineer that will visit such as Baytree to service the unit quarterly.
Often you might be given “backup” oxygen in cylinders in case of equipment failure, and we’ve found the service to be exemplary.
The new portable units are a revelation but slightly heavy for older folks. For my mum, to maintain her independence, I also bought a used mobility scooter with basket for her to have the oxygen and also to get out and about, which has massively helped her mental health.
Thank you 996Type. Very useful info.
My mum doesn’t have a permanent machine, just the portable. It seems to work when plugged in and obviously from the battery when she’s mobile. She’s been told to use setting 4.
She has 4 cylinders which as you say, must be for back up. I’ve put one by her bed and attached the spare breathing tube that came with it all. Would be nice to have another breathing tube to attach to one of the other cylinders.
I think I’ll take the advice above and phone the hospital to see how often she should by using it.
My mum doesn’t have a permanent machine, just the portable. It seems to work when plugged in and obviously from the battery when she’s mobile. She’s been told to use setting 4.
She has 4 cylinders which as you say, must be for back up. I’ve put one by her bed and attached the spare breathing tube that came with it all. Would be nice to have another breathing tube to attach to one of the other cylinders.
I think I’ll take the advice above and phone the hospital to see how often she should by using it.
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