Tips for care of someone in a C-collar

[persa]

Infrequent poster here

My mom was in a bad car wreck Tuesday and has a C2 vertebra fracture and will be in a rigid C collar for 3 months. Luckily she's had no neurological deficits. She's a little bruised and battered but overall she ok.

Does anyone have any experience with a patient (or self) in a C collar?

I got her a shower chair and she'll have a walker for the immediate future. I'm noticing that any food that requires a lot of chewing is difficult so I'm trying to organize meals of hearty soups and stews, maybe pasta. Would a tray table or one of those "breakfast in bed" trays be useful?

We're not sure of the best set up for her bed/living room right now.

Any and all tips would be appreciated. TIA!

[lilac05]

Sorry about your mom's accident. I'm glad she doesn't have any neurological deficits. (Keep an eye out for higher level functioning trouble that may not be evident until you get home.)

I don't have any experience with a C collar, but lots of experience with soft diets. Pasta and casseroles are good, too. In my experience, people often have the hardest time getting enough protein. And some doctors and nurses will say that protein aids in healing, so try to add protein wherever possible. Peanut butter, eggs, cottage cheese, etc. are easy to chew and have protein.

A tray table or lap table will probably come in handy for eating as well as just keeping things within reach.

[MamaMaui24]

I'm so sorry she's injured.

Dry shampoo or a bottle of this no rinse baby wash.

Mustela PhysiObebe No Rinse Cleansing, Diaper Area - Face 10.14 fl oz (300 ml) www.amazon.com/dp/B00021D1GC/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_fCTfwbNE0AQKT

Boost, Ensure, Orgain nutrition drinks

Campbell's soup at hand

[btay]

My mom has issues getting enough protein and they recommended magic cups. It's ice cream with added protein

[feistypants]

Straws will be her best friend. She's not going to be able to flex her neck well enough to drink out of a regular cup.

[zoomzoom]

Oct 8, 2015 13:44:58 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Sorry about your mom's accident. I'm glad she doesn't have any neurological deficits. (Keep an eye out for higher level functioning trouble that may not be evident until you get home.)

I don't have any experience with a C collar, but lots of experience with soft diets. Pasta and casseroles are good, too. In my experience, people often have the hardest time getting enough protein. And some doctors and nurses will say that protein aids in healing, so try to add protein wherever possible. Peanut butter, eggs, cottage cheese, etc. are easy to chew and have protein.

A tray table or lap table will probably come in handy for eating as well as just keeping things within reach.

Yes.  A friend of ours had complications from a surgery and she was refusing to eat hardly anything.  Once we all pitched in and started making meals with protein (but with small bites), she started healing immediately.

OP, I'm sorry about your mom.  Others have good suggestions here.  I'd definitely have a couple of tray tables on hand.  Trays in bed, though, are kind of a PITA IMO - too unsteady.

[tacom]

If chewing is restricted by the collar, stick with soft foods. Pasta and soups are good -- as should be any steamed/soft veggies and tender meat with extra gravies and sauces for moisture.

[nursewife]

I'm not sure how much you're willing to spend, but having a recliner is nice. I had severe whiplash, and was lucky not to have a fracture, but it amazed me how much strain and pan it was to just get up out of bed. Sitting in a recliner helped since it eliminated some of that strain.

[mrsjrd23]

If you have the funds, renting a hospital bed would be helpful because patients tend to be more comfortable reclined rather than flat. Or a recliner if she can tolerate that. Having a hospital bed will allow her to have rails to assist getting in/out of bed. Make sure she rolls on her side to get in and out of bed. Some insurances cover hospital beds, but most dont.

They also make long handled equipment for helping put on pants, socks, shoes that may be helpful since she won't have the ability to bend (except at the hips

[persa]

Thanks y'all. We can't afford a hospital bed but I'll look into other items that will help her day to day for getting dressed, etc. We have a recliner at our house, maybe I'll talk to H about letting her use it for a while.

I went to get her clothes to come home in and I think I'm going to have to go shopping for some clothes that button or zip up the front since most of her clothes are stuff you put over your head.

And I'll keep the protein in mind. She's just starting to eat and she's not eating much yet but I'm hoping once she gets home cooked food instead of hospital food, she'll eat a little more. I'm going to get some mega packs of zip loc containers so she can freeze some food in smaller portions.

And I'll put straws on the shopping list

[kcr1972]

the shower caps with shampoo in them that u dont have to wash out would be a good idea in between days she may not be up to taking a shower. u microwave yhem snd they feel great!!