I had the same problem after an injury though I am not elderly and with having tended to two elderly relatives, they too had the same problem. This is easy to fix. There is this product that is literally a step you can step on to help you get in the tub and to get out. I got them at Wal-mart. They hold up to 350 pounds and are very sturdy. Put one outside and one inside the tub (remove the inside one while showering or bathing then return it to get out) . Just visit www.walmart.com and look for bath aids or type in bath steps. They also sell some cool bath benches and everything can be shipped to you!
On this topic. I had two drains installed in the bathroom floor. I put tile across the floor of our bathroom and better edging. I can actually shower her with the wand while she sits out of the tub in a chair. I also installed a bidet toilet to clean her bottom well. Now obviously it is a slipper mess when we are done, but the water goes down the drain. I mop up with the dirty clothes and the damp towel. It isn't too bad, and won't require a re-do remodel when she is gone.
FYI: A goodly number of elderly become hydrophobic as they age. I have yet to find someone who can give me a definitive reason. Is it fear of falling? Maybe a fear of being stuck in the tub and no one to help them out? Perhaps it's the lessening of the olfactory senses.....maybe they forget the importance of hygiene along with some of the other things they have forgotten how to do. This is just something to keep in mind when your loved one looks at you as though you have grown horns on your head when you say "bath time"!
We have a wonderfful 2 headed shower with a large bench. But mom, 92, just doesn't want to bathe anymore. She takes sponge baths in her bathroom. But once a week I get her in the shower, she sure isn't happy. But once she starts washing she is great. I then step in and help her with her hair, but she hates me to rinse it. She will not tip her head back, insists on leaning it forward. I am always glad when it is all over. I have her clothes all ready for her when she gets out. If I don't put the dirty ones in the washer and start it, she wants to wear the same clothes. I am getting the hang of it and all the nasty things she spews, but just keep on doing the right thing and in a short time she is okay.
There are shower chairs that probably do what you are looking for and maybe you need an occupational/physical therapist to come in a evalutate your mom's needs and prescript the equipment needed. If your mother loves the water so much rather than just the need to bathe, then I would suggest going to a pool and letting her have some enjoyment in water that way. Pools are required now to have a lift if there are mobility problems. Best to you and your mom.
Whay about maybe suggesting a bed bath ...plus depending on your area there are organizations thY hhave mobile bath aids that are pros with help the elderly in this area good luck and god bless
Great bath chairs exist that swivel in n out of tub and raise up n down inside the tub. Not too cheap, but look pretty neat. Transfer benches r less expensive. Glad ur mom wants to take a shower! My mom was a daily bather all of her adult life-now she tries to claim she only bathed once a week! NOT!
I would check with local nursing homes. I know the ones here also do daycare and would probably be willing to assist. They have whirl pool tubs and showers that make the job SOOO much easier!!
The Adult Day Health program my husband attended had nicely accessible showers and staff to assist with showers. We have a walk-in tub at home and didn't need that service, but it was great for many program participants. I don't know if a shower-only program was available. It is an option worth check out in your area.
Another tub option is a bench which fits across the back of the tub. She could sit down on the bench and then swing her legs around. If that doesn't work, there is always the gym or the YMCA...
I got a shower chair for my mother that had an extension outside the shower. She could sit on the extension and then I would help her get her legs over the tub. This worked for the time that she was living with me.
Thank you all for your answers, the apartment where my Mother lives was just built, so no they will not put in another tub or lower the one she has. And she does have a shower chair, but should would have to first get into the shower to access the chair. And the idea of a foam would'nt work because she likes water too much. And yes some seniors do feel that they don't have to take a showwer often, however she is not one of them, if she could wash everyday three times a day she would. Thank you all for your coments.
I've noticed for the past few months my father who is 97 is taking fewer showers. I mentioned it to him and asked if he's afraid of falling. He only said he is aware of it. We have two shower chairs and one is always available next to the shower. I also told him when he takes a shower, close but never lock the bathroom door. We have safety grab bars in the shower that were put in for my mother. In a conversation with him, he mentioned that years ago baths were only taken maybe once a week. I'm wondering with seniors, if this is their thought process that it isn't necessary to take a daily shower that our generation does. I bought body wipes that he uses.
Another option, from time to time, is a foam that I found for my mom that doesn't need to be rinsed off. It can be used on the hair or the body. We found it at a really good local pharmacy, but I would think it could be found online. And I've found similar things at camping supply stores. I'll try to post the name of it when I find it out. It might not be what you want to use all the time, I'm not sure. But it might help during the in between times, or while you're trying to figure out a long-term solution.
I doubt that the apartment owner/manager would be willing to put in a tub that would accommodate Mom....would a shower chair work? They can be turned to face outward to allow the person to turn around and just sit, then either turn the chair with your help in raising her legs over the edge of the tub or allow her to sit like they are and bathe. There are others here who might have ideas with something they have tried.
I mentioned it to him and asked if he's afraid of falling. He only said he is aware of it. We have two shower chairs and one is always available next to the shower. I also told him when he takes a shower, close but never lock the bathroom door. We have safety grab bars in the shower that were put in for my mother. In a conversation with him, he mentioned that years ago baths were only taken maybe once a week. I'm wondering with seniors, if this is their thought process that it isn't necessary to take a daily shower that our generation does. I bought body wipes that he uses.