Three Adaptive Equipment Suggestions to Help You Get Clean!
Did you know that a recent National Institute on Aging study found that 80% of falls by people 65 years or older occur in the bathroom? It's the most dangerous room in our homes, but necessary to get to the toilet and shower/tub! Below are 3 adaptive equipment suggestions to reduce common struggles people have following stroke or when living with Parkinson’s Disease.
Innovative Solution: Bidet Seat Attachment
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If coordination or limited range of motion limits your ability to reach back to wipe, it can leave you feeling frustrated and embarrassed. A simple solution is to connect a bidet toilet seat attachment to the current toilet to successfully and effortlessly clean all the right places at any time! While bidets were once only a luxury item and required a separate bidet unit, now just an affordable attachment to the existing toilet is needed. Installation is simple and the features start as basic as simply changing the water pressure to more luxury ones with heated seats and automatic toilet lid openers!
Cost Saving Solution: Automatic Tub Lifts
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Renovating your tub into a walk-in tub can be enticing if you like to take relaxing soaks, but are having difficulty getting in and out of your current tub. However, it’s a costly $20,000 renovation. This bath lift solves the same issue a walk-in tub does without the significant investment since no structural changes are necessary. The bath lift is operated by a rechargeable battery. And the entire unit can be easily removed to take when you travel or when other house members prefer to use the standard tub.
Small Space Solution: A Wide Shower Chair
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If stepping over the tub is not safe or feasible, consider a tub transfer bench. It will avoid the danger of balancing on one foot to step over the tub ledge. Just sit on the outside portion of the bench, swing legs over into the tub, and slide into the tub. However, if your bathroom is too small, the tub may sit right next to the toilet, and the tub bench legs may not fit. When space is limited, consider a narrower, flat shower chair without arms that’s as sturdy and balanced as the tub transfer bench. You can still use the same, safer method of transferring as with the tub bench!
Sometimes we struggle to do daily things because we don’t know a better way. Follow our weekly blogs to let us help educate you along your journey how to make life easier!
Author: Dr. Brandy Archie is an occupational therapist and the founder of AccessAble Living providing seniors & persons with a disability the necessary equipment, home remodeling & resources to regain their independence and live safely at home, no matter their age or level of ability.
