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Original poster

Cry for help to anyone out there with experience of elderly parent/relative on home oxygen?

9 replies

fartmeistergeneral · 10/01/2014 08:59

This is all new and overwhelming.

Can I take my elderly father to a restaurant with an oxygen tank? I'm not sure of the do's and don'ts!

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 10/01/2014 09:04

Your dad can go anywhere with his oxygen, he just needs to keep away from candles, open fires and smokers - 6ft according to the NHS info

Original poster

fartmeistergeneral · 10/01/2014 09:06

He was attending a day care centre for the elderly a few days a week before all this, but they can't take him with an oxygen tank so he's stuck in the house, and I wondered if other public places had similar restrictions.

OP posts:

tilbatilba · 10/01/2014 09:09

Yes, as Dibbler says - once you get used to working out how best to transport the oxygen bottle ( you can buy smaller ones that are portable - we used to buy them in 6 packs...)
My mother had a pretty basic wheel chair so I would slide it in beside her propped up on the seat. If she was using her "walker" zimmer type thing it had a basket in the front I could put it in.
After a while you don't really notice it .....good luck and I hope your father feels a whole lot better on oxygen therapy.

Trumpton · 10/01/2014 09:10

My dad had a large cylinder for home use and a small one for going out with. We never had any problems.

tilbatilba · 10/01/2014 09:10

Did they say why they can't take him? That seems really odd.

CMOTDibbler · 10/01/2014 09:21

Are you in the UK? Because if so, I can't see why he couldn't keep going to the day centre

Original poster

fartmeistergeneral · 10/01/2014 09:25

In Scotland, they said it was for health and safety reasons. I'm going to contact social work to ask why and see what his options are.

OP posts:

boysrock · 10/01/2014 09:28

Unless people smoke at the day centre (legally!) Then that is misinformation. If hes on ambulatory oxygen as well then he should be prescribed small portable tanks.

I would suggest either you or he gets un touch with the oxygen assessment service for advice. He should have an opd letter from them with a phone number on. Hth

oxcat1 · 11/01/2014 10:09

I have been on permanent oxygen for about a year now, so PM me with any practical questions and it'll do my best to help. As others have said, I can't understand why he can't continue at the day centre - i am 34, and still go shopping, on holidays, to festivals, theatres, cinemas, swimming pools etc.

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