{"id":10045,"date":"2014-04-29T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-04-29T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeline.philips.com\/resources\/blog\/2014\/04\/my-senior-uses-an-oxygen-concentrator-preparing-for-a-visit.html"},"modified":"2023-10-25T16:56:47","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T20:56:47","slug":"my-senior-uses-an-oxygen-concentrator-preparing-for-a-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeline.com\/blog\/my-senior-uses-an-oxygen-concentrator-preparing-for-a-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing For a Visit: Seniors Using an Oxygen Concentrator"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have a loved one who depends on oxygen therapy at home, you\u2019re probably familiar with the nasal cannula, the tubing, and maybe even the hum of the oxygen concentrator. But what happens when your senior comes to your home? For a short visit<\/a>, little preparation is necessary. If your loved one will be visiting for several days, though, a little planning can make the trip safer and easier for both the senior and those in your household.<\/p>\n

Ordering Equipment<\/h2>\n

The oxygen can be delivered in tanks, or an oxygen concentrator can filter the surrounding air and produce oxygen. Which option your loved one uses depends on many factors, but knowing ahead of time will help you prepare for her visit. Home oxygen concentrators are large and difficult to travel with, so your senior will most likely be using portable oxygen tanks or a portable concentrator. If this will be an extended stay, however, backup cylinders may be necessary.<\/p>\n

If tanks will be used and refills or backups will be needed during the visit, you can have them delivered to your home. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute<\/a> recommends asking your loved one\u2019s doctor about a local home equipment provider. Because oxygen requires a prescription, the doctor will need to be involved in the process anyway. Once the prescription has been sent to the provider, they can deliver tanks to your address.<\/p>\n

It is also a good idea to talk to your loved one about her medical alert system<\/a>\u00a0if she has one. By calling her service provider, you can learn about options for her while she stays at your house, so that help is always available at the push of a button. If she doesn\u2019t already use a service, this may be a good option to think about for an oxygen-dependent senior.<\/p>\n

Taking Safety Precautions<\/h2>\n

Perhaps the biggest issue with having a visit from a friend or relative who depends on oxygen therapy is that the gas can be extremely flammable. The COPD Foundation offers several safety recommendations for homes with oxygen:<\/p>\n