There is No Such Thing as a “Silly” Question: Three Gentle Reminders for Purchasing Health Equipment Online
By Jessica Trimble, Occupational Therapist
Welcome to the AssistList Blog. My name is Jess and I am a student Occupational Therapist studying in British Columbia. As a student, it is in my nature to always ask questions, but in the past I used to worry if my questions would come off as “silly” or “foolish”. I have learnt to no longer worry if “this a silly question,” and instead, focus on asking what feels important to me. It is fitting that this post include gentle reminders to support the safe buying of home health equipment, while also normalizing asking meaningful questions. Especially when the answers hold meaning to a person — their life, wellness, and aspirations. These topics go hand-in-hand when learning about health equipment.
When exploring home health equipment, it is always recommended to contact a medical health professional first — specifically an occupational therapist or physiotherapist — to do an assessment. A medical health professional can work with you to guarantee that you end up with the safe and right equipment for you.
In the meantime, here are three reminders of how to safely purchase online home health equipment. Each section provides ideas on specific questions you can ask while exploring online!
1. Ask to See Multiple Photos
When posting on AssistList, each listing must include photos. However, an item’s usability is not always clear from one or two photos alone. When needed, asking for additional images can help verify what an item looks like by seeing all the angles. This is a reasonable question that could help you understand the safety and condition of the equipment. This is imperative in deciding whether the equipment will be right for you or your loved ones.
For example, with mobility equipment (i.e., wheelchairs, walkers), it is fair for you to ask to view photos of the wheels as they are a very important piece. Be cautious of worn-down wheels and consider the ground you wish to move around on. Images of the brakes may also be helpful to determine how they are used. For a manual wheelchair- are the brakes a “push-style” or a “pull-style”? With a walker, do the brakes look like they can be squeezed by your hand?
Further, when looking into electronic devices — namely, power-operated beds — seeing pictures of the controls and battery box can help to understand the automatic features, and how it will be controlled. Are the hand controls accessible for the individual who will be using it? Are the buttons visible? Is the electrical cord long enough for you? Is a charging cable included? IT IS OKAY TO ASK!
Consider the quality of the photos, and ask if needed to view all 4-sides of the equipment. This question can help reduce any uncertainty about potential “wear-and-tear” or damage that may exist with the item. If you ever feel unsure, know you can reach out and ask for a more detailed photo. This response may depend on the seller’s discretion, but we never know unless we ask!
2. Verify the Dimensions and Size — Including Weight, Height, and Length
Home health equipment is never universal in size, and with so much style variation, inquiring on what matters to you can help you choose the right item. Everyone has individualized ways that contribute to our feelings of wellness — what works for one person, does not work for all.
For example, many items have weight and height guidelines supporting their safety and suitability for different people. Will the equipment safely support you for the durations you require? Will you feel comfortable using it, sitting on it, or moving with it? If you are uncertain, always reach out and ask the seller if they can confirm the dimensions of the equipment and whether or not weight or height guidelines are available. Better yet, if an instruction manual is available, you could always ask to have a copy forwarded and complete a review.
Verifying equipment sizing will also help ensure that it matches your environment. For instance, will it fit through the doorways of your house? Is it an item you will feel comfortable and safe moving? Do you have space to store it? Is the item practical for you or your support network to lift and maneuver for cleaning? These are all questions worth reflecting before moving forward with a purchase. Always buy equipment that fits you! Otherwise, you will need to adapt yourself to the equipment.
3. Don’t Forget, Safety First!
Safety is a priority when purchasing home health equipment. Remember to ask questions that reflect your definition of safety. Examples of questions may include how old the equipment is, whether it had repairs, and all the original components included. It’s also relevant to explore how often the equipment has been in for maintenance and whether or not there are areas that may need to be monitored for future repairs.
For example, is there rust on the equipment? Are any components “loose” or worn down? Never feel like you should avoid a question when you feel concerned or worried about your safety — feeling safe and comfortable is fundamental to wellbeing.
Is it Okay to Ask?
It’s common to feel intimidated or uncomfortable when asking questions. We tend
to worry about over-consuming one’s time, not receiving a response, or even appearing bothersome. It can even feel more difficult to ask questions online, as response rates vary and tones of speech are not always clear. However, asking questions is a standard, valid, and suggested communication tool used to navigate life. If we do not ask the questions we are curious about, how can we learn? How can we establish that we have the right knowledge to execute decisions? To feel safe and supported? To feel aware?
There are no “silly” questions regarding our well-being or the well-being of our loved ones. Each individual is worthy of feeling supported in learning about the health equipment needed to participate in the activities that bring them value. Purchasing home health equipment is an individualized journey, and it is important to ensure items meet the wants, needs, dreams, and lifestyles we aspire, before we make a purchase. It IS okay to ask.
AssistList has an option on listings to start a message and ask questions to those selling the equipment. There are many resources located on the AssistList page and online, for your support. Please visit the references below if you are seeking further guidance.
Thank you, take care, and remember to ask
References:
AssistList. (2020). How AssistList Works. https://www.assistlist.ca/howitworks#faq
Canadian Red Cross. (2020). Health equipment instruction sheets — Canadian Red Cross. Red Cross Canada. https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/community-health-services-in-canada/health-equipment-instruction-sheets
HealthLink BC. (2016, November 29). How to choose safe equipment. https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/physical-activity/how-to-choose-safe-equipment
