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A real bargain in medical care

As reluctant, but very active, members of what has been described as the aging of America, our family is concerned about the medical system.

We marvel at what today’s medical establishment can do. Between the wife and us, there are more new hips, knees and shoulders than you can shake a stick at (if you are into stick-shaking). What used to be arguments about mundane things like children and checkbooks now are more probably about whose turn it is to use the cane.

We are baby boomers and we are far removed from being babies. Medicine is a daily part of our lives, so the cost of it is a major concern.

But not every marvelous medical gadget is outrageously priced. While the cost of a knee may be more than we spent on our first house, there are items like the “sockputeroner” that are very reasonable.

What, you may ask, is a “sockputeroner”? When we first discovered the gadget a few years ago, it was an 18-inch curved piece of plastic with a rope attached to one end. You put a sock on the non-rope end, put your foot into the curved plastic and pull on the rope. Voila, you have a sock on! If you have a new hip or knee, you can accomplish one of the most difficult parts of getting dressed unassisted.

Alas, the basic “sockputeroner” has evolved — and improved! Now it is a metal gadget with a curved middle that looks like a ski slope. You mount the sock on the ski slope, slip your pinkies into the curve and pull on two side handles.

Again, voila! You’ve got a sock on! The new one works especially well with compression stockings. As the proud new owner of compression socks, we can vouch for the new “sockputeroner.”

Oh, by the way, the new metal gadget is called a “donner.” A “donner” for a small foot and leg costs around $25 — a large one around $35.

The “sockputeroner” may be the greatest invention since the electric corkscrew. While Congress may have cold feet about addressing the problems in our health care system, there’s no reason for us constituents to suffer the same malady.

No matter what the government does to (or for) our medical bills, thanks to the “sockputeroner” (excuse, please — we meant to say “donner”), we’ll all be able to get through it with toasty tootsies.

(Material from a previous Maui News editorial was combined with newer information for the piece appearing above.)

* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.

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