Mom's Moving In? How to Adapt Your Home for Your Live-In Loved One

Whether it's a stroke, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, low vision, or simply old age, eventually everyone reaches a time in their leaves where they need to rely on someone to help take care of them. Depending on their specific situation, that could mean moving into a retirement community or moving in with a loved one. Either destination can be a big change for the retiree, but when they move in with you, it can be a stressful change of lifestyle for both parties.

Let's be honest: we care deeply for our elderly loved ones and want to make sure they are taken care of. If that means them moving in with us, then so be it. For many, the idea of sticking them in a retirement community to live out the rest of their days means watching daytime television, consuming Jell-O by the gallon, and trying to tell an orderly who doesn't speak English that they need to use the restroom. These are all mis-conceptions - planned living communities are really not so bad! However, many people still do not consider that to be an option. But in the back of everyone's mind, they also think of how an elderly relative moving in disrupts the way of life they have enjoyed until now. For the seniors, they do not wish to be a burden on their loved ones. They do not want to feel as though someone is obligated to take care of them and they like the ability to do everyday living tasks without any assistance. For you, the caregiver, the idea of having someone else to take care of can leave you apprehensive due to your lack of knowledge or experience. You may be concerned about the appearance of you home and how it may change when an elderly or disabled person moves in, but at the same time feel lost or bad about exploring other alternatives.

Fortunately, manufacturers of independent living products have developed items that are beneficial to both parties. Products that allow seniors to handle everyday living without the need for assistance are also being designed to look less clinical and not require a permanent installation. With the right independent living products, seniors maintain an independent and safe lifestyle while you feel less burdened and your house retains its normal appearance.

Bathroom Safety - Preventing Falls Makes Everyone Happier

As we get older and our legs, arms, and hands begin to weaken, the bathroom can be the most dangerous room in the house. Bathrooms combine moisture and linoleum floors, and rarely give you a soft surface to land on if you fall. Getting on and off the toilet or getting in and out of the tub can put an elderly person at serious risk.

To get on and off the toilet, doctors recommend an elevated toilet seat with armrests. While there are models that can be clamped in place and do not require any hardware, they are typically not very sturdy, especially if the person using it is overweight. Combining the seat and arms with a hydraulic lifting system for extra assistance, the Ergonomic AirLift Bedside Commode is easy to install and can be used as both a raised toilet seat and a stand alone commode. A bracket is attached to the toilet using two bolts once the existing seat is removed. The Ergonomic AirLift slides and locks into place on the bracket and, by simply lifting a lever in the back of the seat, it can be removed for cleaning or to be attached to the stand alone commode frame. Hydraulic struts mounted in the seat provide an additional boost to help your new house guest gently lower down onto your toilet, and get off the toilet when finished, and can be adjusted depending on their weight. The Ergonomic AirLift features a large, comfortable seating surface and ergonomically-designed armrests, and includes a "guest seat" standard toilet seat. The guest seat can be mounted in place of the AirLift using the same bracket and is ideal for when you have company over.

To get in and out of the shower or bathtub, grab bars are essential for safety. When most people think of bathroom grab bars, the first things that come to mind are a handyman, a big power drill, and permanent holes in your marble or tile. Thanks to the Portable Suction Grab Bars and the Ergonomic Bathtub Grab Bar with Armrest, you can provide your loved ones with a medically safe, sturdy, and completely portable way to steady themselves when getting in and out of the tub. The Portable Suction Grab Bars secure themselves to completely smooth surfaces using twin suction cups with over 160 pounds of force. Simply clean the surface, apply the suction cups firmly, and flip the levers on the back of each cup. While these are not recommended for pull ups, gymnastics, or hanging a basketball hoop, they will provide a safe, reliable grip to prevent falls. Some brands are not safe, so be careful what you choose! Portable Suction Grab Bars are available in four sizes and typically range in price from $65 to $140, which is significantly less than the cost of a handyman with a big drill. Brands priced less than $65 tend to lose their suction and are hazardous to use.

The Ergonomic Bathtub Grab Bar with Armrest attaches to the side of the bathtub using a large, padded clamp that is tightened with a wheel. It can be placed on either side of the tub, has six ergonomic "grab areas", and stays securely in place thanks to the non-slip pads on the clamp. The armrest can be mounted on either side of the grab bar or completely removed.