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Oxygen at Home
Elderly patients who require constant supplemental
oxygen can still be active and find mobility
at home by using a home oxygen unit. There
are three types of home oxygen units:
Concentrators
Oxygen concentrators extract oxygen from
room air's 21% oxygen content. The resulting
oxygen concentration is delivered with a
long tube and nasal cannula that gives freedom
of movement throughout most of the apartment
or small home. The concentrator unit looks
a lot like a small dehumidifier. Since it
consumes a significant amount of electricity
if used all the time, look for a model that
runs quiety and is as energy efficient as
possible. The advantage to concentrators
is that there is no need to refill this kind
of unit since it continually uses room air
as its main supply. The disadvantage is that
it requires electricity, so explore battery
back-up options and also notify your power
company so that they are aware in the event
of an outage or billing dispute.
Liquid Oxygen Vessels
When oxygen is compressed and liquified,
it compacts into a volume 860 times smaller
than normal. Thus, a liquified oxygen vessel
can provide quite a bit of oxygen as it returns
it to gaseous form. Smaller, shoulder-strap
vessels are a convenient way to take along
oxygen as you leave the house. These vessels
have few moving parts and don't need electricity,
but they do need to be refilled approximately
every two weeks.
High pressure systems
These holdouts from the old days
still provide
a good supply of oxygen, but
are not very
convenient. The large high pressure
cylinder
has to be replenished twice a
week, and users
have to learn how to put oxygen
regulators
on the small bottles which are
carried around.
Picking the Best Home Oxygen Strategy
Consult your doctor to understand
how much
oxygen you need and which style
of unit delivers
the right amount at the lowest
cost. Most people choose both a base unit
(concentrator
or liquid oxygen vessel) with
a long delivery
hose of at least 20 feet and
a portable liquid
oxygen system that can be supported
by a
shoulder strap for when you go
outside. If
you would prefer to carry the
portable unit
around the house and avoid the
long cannula,
consider getting a liquid oxygen
main vessel
so that you can refill the portable
yourself. |
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