At times my mother can stand up after getting off of the commode and stay standing, with assistance, while someone else cleans her. Other times, when standing her legs will just give out and she won't/can't stand up long enough for someone else to clean her and pull up her pants. What can we do to make this easier? She is wearing depends but she still needs to stay standing up for a short period of time in order for someone to clean her.
Fair warning, my mother, with Dementia, was still being taken to the toilet several times a day (for dignity, I suppose; she wore pull-ups). There was a grab bar and the aide would say, "now grab the bar Mrs. A". The aide was supposed to check that she had done so.
One day, the aide did not glance up to see if mom had grabbed; she hadn't. Mom fell, hit her head, broke her wrist and died about a week later.
If you install a bar, you HAVE to check that she has grabbed EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Sorry for your loss of Mom. 🌹
Best of luck.
something like this (maybe not this exact one, but go on amazon and you'll find plenty)
https://serenelivingco.com/products/the-commode-pro?currency=USD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw852XBhC6ARIsAJsFPN3pMl5rTxGU_FS-lO8ZbVcxv7qRA3mLFxMAhrgmWGtxMS9hQh58euYaAuu3EALw_wcB
It has hydraulics to lift the person up and down on the toilet. Because of the opening, you can use a cleaning wand to clean her up without having to have her stand.
https://www.platinumhealthllc.com/products/ultracommode-voted-1-most-comfortable-bedside-commode-chair-soft-warm-padded-and-foldable-xl-seat-with-100-open-front-padded-pivoting-armrests-adjustable-height-free-commode-pail-blue
If I were buying one today, I would consider this one. I don't know if I knew they had it when I got ours or not.
https://www.platinumhealthllc.com/collections/bedside-commods/products/prevail-commode-shower-seat
Make sure the toilet is at the right height for her as well. A riser seat might help if she is taller, or an ADA height toilet.
As her decline progresses a Sit To Stand will help a lot. Just raise her up, pull down pants, remove soiled brief, clean and pull up the pants. The Sit to Stand can be brought into the bathroom so there is privacy.
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