As your loved one ages, he might find that using the bathroom on his own is getting more and more difficult. He may struggle due to balance issues that make standing in a shower difficult or a loss of core strength that makes sitting on and getting up from the toilet difficult. If arthritis is an issue, he might find he can’t hold a razor or brush his teeth correctly. Whatever your loved one struggles with, finding a solution to help him stay safe in the bathroom is a key factor in helping him maintain his independence and a lifestyle that he enjoys.
Here are some tools to help your loved one use the bathroom safely, including getting 24-hour home care:
Sink/Grooming Area
If arthritis is a concern, consider purchasing some adaptive devices that are easier to grip. Medicines and other toiletry items should be placed in easy-to-open containers (so long as no children are in the home). A magnifying mirror can help your loved one see better as he does detailed work like shaving or flossing his teeth. Consider mounting it on the wall so his hands can be free as he uses it.
Toilet
If sitting on the toilet or getting up has become a problem due to weakness or injury, you can add bars to the sides of the toilet to both help in his sitting down and then getting back up again. Make sure toilet paper is within easy reach and doesn’t require twisting or stretching too far to reach.
Showering/Bathing
The shower and bathtub can become feared places if your loved one is afraid of falling or tripping. Add non-slip mats to the bottom of showers, railings to hold onto, and perhaps even a shower chair to sit on. If a bath is more your loved one’s style, make sure there are reliable handles for him to grab onto as he gets in and out of the bath. Finally, don’t forget to check his water heater to make sure he can’t accidentally set that water temp so high he scalds himself.
24-Hour Home Care Might be the Answer
When using the bathroom becomes consistently difficult, or if there are some tasks that he just can’t perform anymore, you might want to consider having a 24-hour home care team in the home to help him whenever he needs it. A 24-hour home care team can help with toileting by providing assistance on and off the toilet, as well as wiping and washing. The 24-hour home care providers can also help with personal care tasks such as shaving each morning, brushing his teeth, and/or cleaning his dentures.
When it comes to showering, having a 24-hour home care team there on-site to help him safely get in and out of the shower can make sure he stays safe and doesn’t fall or cause any injury to himself. They can also help with washing if a lack of mobility or flexibility no longer allows him to scrub his feet or wash his back.
For many elderly, having loved ones help with personal care bathroom tasks is too personal for them and makes them feel uncomfortable. A 24-hour home care team can bridge that gap, making sure they get done while maintaining his dignity.
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care in Paramus, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Applause Home Care today. Call (201) 326-8051
Applause Home Care provides independent, non-franchised quality Home Care for elders and families in and around Fort Lee, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Paramus, Glen Rock, Pompton Plains, Franklin Lakes, Westwood, Montvale, and Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
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