Most parents can clearly remember the first years of their child’s life - patiently waiting for those first steps and making sure to hover close by in case of a fall. Once walking is "mastered" parents will still make sure to do what they can to prevent slips or accidents from happening in the home. It’s in our nature to make sure that we help loved ones as much as we can to keep them safe. But, the “I can do it myself” was the familiar cry that told us how badly they wanted to be independent.
If you have mobility or balance issues, taking a shower or even getting in or out of the bathtub/shower presents a potentially dangerous situation. For most people, a shower is a time for relaxation and stress release. But if you face physical challenges and/or suffer from a health condition, the act of bathing can be a scary, stressful time. An elderly, ill or disabled person should equip his/her bathtub or shower with a bath seat to prevent the risk of falling.
The bathroom can present challenges for people who are aging, wheelchair-bound, or have limited mobility. More than 2/3 of emergency room visits are due to falls in the bathroom.
A loss of balance, wet floors, tight spaces, and/or bending and lifting required to access the tub and shower, are things that can lead to a fall in the bathroom. With that being said you may be wondering, is it possible to enjoy bathing or showering independently at home for those with balance issues or limited mobility?
In the rest of this post, we will provide information about some of the options that can make showering and bathing safe again.
A Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) is a professional who has completed professional training in aging in place. The training and certification is offered through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in conjunction with Home Innovation Research Labs, the NAHB 50+ Housing Council, and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).
Falls in the home are dangerous for anyone, but they are especially dangerous for people who are injured or aging. Falls are also more likely to happen to people who are injured or aging, as people who are injured or aging might lack the agility to stop the fall. An aging person who falls is more likely to break a bone, and the healing process slows as people age.
As relatives age, they may require a wheelchair in order to navigate around their home. Unfortunately, with the vast majority of elderly people living in older, more traditional homes as opposed to open floor plan designs, maneuverability with a wheelchair can be very difficult. This is especially true of bathrooms; small footprints, corners, vanities, large tubs, and other storage items make moving around the bathroom challenge.
While moving a sink or toilet may not be a viable option, there are many bath safety solutions that can make this space more user-friendly and safe for an aging loved one using a wheelchair.
Your parents cared for you as you grew up, and now that they are getting older, they may need additional help living safely in their home. In order for your aging parents to maintain their independence, you need to make sure they have the proper home modifications and safety measures in place to keep them out of a nursing home and in the home they love.
Below are some home safety tips on how to help your aging parents live safely & independently in the comfort of their own home.
At some point, due to age or disability, you or a loved one may be faced with the prospect of having to use a wheelchair to assist in your primary mobility at home. Whether it be a temporary fixture to your home or something that will be more permanent, there are a number of simple modifications that can help improve accessibility and make life easier.
If you are like most people, you live in a home that was not designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Below are some simple ideas on how to make sure that you will be able to stay in your home despite the necessity of a wheelchair.
Many of us know of someone, or ourselves, dealing with issues that may cause them to have difficulty functioning in their current home environments. Dorothy Gale said it best, “There’s no place like home.” Boy, was she right! We feel most comfortable in the place we call home and nobody wants to be forced to leave because of physical issues.
2014 saw the largest number of elderly – 44.7 million – ever in the United States. This number represented 14.1% of the entire US population (www.aoa.acl.gov) and is expected to increase by ⅓ by 2040. And, like most who are in this age category, with advancing age comes the realization that living like we did in our younger years may be more challenging than we would like.
Home modifications for elderly individuals can help make their current living environment safer and more functional. These changes can be rather simple, and will allow you or a loved one to maintain a certain level of independent living. The below modifications can help make aging in place easier for individuals who wish to stay living in their current home.
