"Medical Mittens" for the disabled

[avoncallingu]

A member of our family is at the stage in life when her hands are quite clenched but she manages to "scratch" her skin and cause wounds. (She is in a Long Term care facility.) They have asked us to provide hand covers for her in an attempt to prevent the scratching. Does anyone have a lead on where we might find them?

[Natalka]

Gee, I looked online and couldn't find any supplier in Canada.
Can you check out medical supply stores and some pharmacies will have sections with such supplies?

I found these, but they may be wholesalers

http://www.alibaba.com/member/kr1008376533.html

[thriftygranny]

My best friends daughter has Cerebral Palsy and I make her thumbless mittens because her hands are clenched and it is too difficult to deal with trying to fit her thumb into the opening.If you can sew at all just follow the shape of a mitten and omit the thumb.I then make a casing at the cuff and run elastic through just tight enough to keep them on.I have also added a tie at the wrist that has velcro to tighten them.I would use a light weight jersey fabric (stretchy so they will stay on)so she doesn't get too warm. Remember the little mittens you put on newborns so they couldn't scratch themselves? They would be very similar to those. We have a very good pharmacy here that stocks a lot of strange stuff I won't be going there for a week or so but will check. As well try Shoppers Home Health Care they have a variety of off the beaten path items.

[secheltsaver]

Does your province require a doctor's order for use of restraints?In B.C. "boxing glove" mitts are considered to be a restraint now,although we used them whenever needed in the past.Socks work great,especially sport socks with elastic cuffs and a determined patient can take them off if they want.Are the wounds you're referring to on her palms from her nails digging in?She should have rolls in her hands to prevent this,and prevent further contractures.There are "palm protector" products specially made for this.You should be able to get information about the various products available from the occupational therapy department of your local hospital if there is no-one on staff at your facility.