Hey everyone,

I am looking to make my dad's life easier and figured you would have some ideas. He is almost 70 and his back and hips are in poor condition....and no he won't do anything about it at this time. Biggest problem is him getting stiff and I know he has issues with low areas...for example it's tough for him to get in and out of my car cause it is low.

Moving on though, I would like to buy him some stuff that may make his BWCA experiences more enjoyable.

For the portages I usually carry everything and he only carries what he feels he can or wants to. So portaging isn't really of concern.

However, spending time in the canoe is and so is relaxing at camp are issues.

So my question is what are some things that you use, have used, have heard about, etc... that might make life easier?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I would bring one of these Quad Chair for him. Nothing is worse after a long day paddling or fishing and sitting on a log. Also get him the biggest most comfy mattress you can find. With your Dads needs weight and single portages are not a factor. You need comfort. I would also suggest a hammock for him to talk a nap in.

A good camp chair as was already stated, and a canoe seat with a backrest is also worth their weight in gold. I use the one made by Duluth Pack, but there are many out there that will fit the bill. Also the highest quality sleeping pad you can find.

quote walllee: "a canoe seat with a backrest is also worth their weight in gold."

I couldn't agree more. I've tried a few and the most comfortable for me is the GCI Sitbacker. It is as rock solid as sitting in my dining room chair. The downside is they weigh 3 pounds so you will probably want one on each seat to balance the canoe while portaging

In addition to what's already been posted, I've found the ThermaCare Heatwraps for Lower Back & Hip to be extremely helpful. I now pack 3 or 4 of these for a week-long trip.
AdamX

I don't know exactly what the cause of your dad's problems is, but I have a lot of low back/hip stiffness and problems.

Core strength and flexibility is good; if he won't do the exercises, a back brace can help. I'll also second the ThermaCare wrap/patches.

Sitting is bad for me, walking is good. The longer I sit, the stiffer I get. Bending and squatting are tough - don't make him do those things.

A good thick sleeping pad helps.

I think you need:
A good chair, walking sticks, good sleeping pads.
I have had a variety of disabilities, knees, back, sholder. Several of these have brought stiffness and also bad balance. Here is what I learned.
I would suggest some really good walking sticks. I use them a lot getting in and out of the canoe. I can put them in the water at a landing and use them to stabalize. They help on tricky portages. They really help.
Also, good sleeping pad is important so he gets a good night's sleep. I use an Exped Synmat and add a layer of closed cell foam under it.
The chair is important. Test it at home to make sure it is comfortable.

Your dad will need to get up in the night for natures call probably more than once. Being able to stand up is a big plus. If you are in a tent bring the chare in so he has something to hold on to. Better yet sleeping in a hammock means you just swing your legs over the edge and set up so you stand from chair height setting position. It is really tough to stand up from the ground with a leg cramp. From a hammock it is not bad. The best place to set and relax with a good back support is setting sidewise on a hammock. If you are considering a hammock go to a hammock forum and post a help my dad thread. Explain why and ask for someone in your city to let your dad lay in their hammock for 15 minutes.

If my dad were still alive, and 70 years old, I would spare no expense to make it comfortable for him so that he couldn't wait to go on his next canoe trip. A premium pad was mentioned already, and along with that a really good pillow. Several have been mentioned on recent threads. As we get older circulation slows down so a good down sleeping bag to keep him warm. A taller tent that he can stand up in. A Helinox High Cot that easy to get in and out of and that he could sit on in the tent as he get's dressed. A light weight camp table. Someone mentioned walking sticks, that is a terrific idea. Chota Hippies and Caney Fork Wading Boots to keep his feet and pants dry when entering and exiting canoe. I recently started using a TENS unit for back issues. It's very small and lightweight so it may make it into my pack on the next trip. It is good for all sorts of pains - back, neck, hands, shoulders, arms, legs, etc.

I'll be 74 this year during our annual trip. I'm in pretty good shape with only minor mobility issues, but I'll second everything that has been said with regards to a chair, a good sleeping pad, and a pillow. I also find a walking staff helpful. The other (probably most important) thing I bring along is someone way younger than I am to do the heavy lifting.

quote WHendrix: "I'll be 74 this year during our annual trip. I'm in pretty good shape with only minor mobility issues, but I'll second everything that has been said with regards to a chair, a good sleeping pad, and a pillow. I also find a walking staff helpful. The other (probably most important) thing I bring along is someone way younger than I am to do the heavy lifting."

Yup, WHendrix, The young Sherpa is essential!

Cot: Camptime Roll-a-Cot wide
Mattress: Exped Synmat 3-D 7 or REI Campbed 3.5.
Chair: Helinox Sunset (their highest seat)
2 hiking poles
Toilet: bucket raised up another 6"

As a general rule, a height of 15" is comfortable to get up from, whether chair, cot, or toilet.

For the above setup you will need a 4-person tent. 3Ps don't accommodate a tall cot.

You know, 70 is the new 50 but only if people take care of themselves. Backs are hard to fix, I know, but hips are not. You can replace a hip for $1000 with Medicare and the recovery time isn't that long---about 3 months. Improvement in quality of life: 1000%. If I were 70 years old I would get new hips and have another 10 years of active, pain-free living. Well worth the effort.

Osteoarthritis of the hip often causes back problems, as does being sedentary. The muscle that runs from the top of the thigh into the lower back (the hip flexor muscle) becomes chronically tight when people sit too much, causing extreme pain in the lower back.

You can't force people to address their ailments, but today there are excellent remedies for certain problems for people who want to enjoy life again.

If he is the bow paddler especially, "gunwale pads" made from foam pipe insulation or pool noodles can help by letting your knees rest against the gunwales when you wish.
Maybe a hi-back canoe seat like a crazy creek canoe seat?
If you base camp you might check out a "coffee sack chair" also called the "amazing wilderness chair" (a recent thread in general discussion forum labeled 'bush craft' has a pic. The only drawback is you need 3 straight poles 6+ feet long and downed poles can take awhile to find sometimes. BUT they are highly adjustable to customize the height and angle. Very comfy and all you portage is a folded "feed bag" size cloth. All else I can think of has been mentioned. Just make it an easy route and take your time.