I always believed I was open to new ways of doing things, but having ALS has sure put me to the test! Often, my pride and a little denial have gotten in the way of my seeing the obvious solution to a problem.
Regarding safety in the shower, thank goodness an “aha” moment came to my rescue and helped to point me in the right direction.
Safety, safety, everywhere!
I’d say that the modifications we made to our bathroom during my
2nd year with ALS were among our best early decisions. Even though at the time,
I wondered if it was worth the expense – – now 12 years later, I am thankful we
did it.
Originally, our bathroom had a walk-in shower with a glass door
that swung open. The whole shower area was about the size of a traditional
bathtub and the glass door entrance had a “lip” which I had trouble lifting my
feet high enough to step over. Plus, having ALS and navigating a wall of glass just
didn’t seem like a good idea.
Our remodeling began by pulling out the pre-fab shower and
adding tile to the back walls and floor. This opened the entrance and eliminated
the “lip.” Instead of a door, we now have a simple pull-curtain with an area at
the top of the curtain that allows the caregiver to peek in and check if I’m
doing OK.
Other changes included: a wall-mount hand-held shower head, a
recessed area for soap and shampoo bottles, and sturdy grab bars. Finally, we moved
the water controls from under the shower to the opposite wall; making it an easier reach for a caregiver.
My “Ah-ha” moment
One day while using our newly remodeled shower, I found
myself in a losing battle - - I was standing, attempting a one-handed
shampooing of my hair while my other hand held the grab bar in a “white-knuckle
death grip.” Meanwhile, both of my legs had tensed up and needed to bend. But I
was afraid to move. As water swirled around my feet, I knew I was just one
soapy misstep away from a nasty fall.
Suddenly a voice in my head said, “This is why people use shower chairs. Duh!”
I’ll be the first to admit that for a long time, I was resistant to buying and using a shower chair. Oh, I had all the excuses: I didn’t need one, getting one meant I was giving up, and shower chairs are for old people!
Later, while talking with my husband, I could sense his relief at my decision. We immediately searched online and ordered a sturdy PVC shower chair that met my standards.
Did it help?
Once I began using my new shower chair, I wondered why I
didn’t get one sooner.
My husband holds my hands while I sit down on the chair, then swivel-rolls me to the water. I bathe myself independently. When finished, he swivels me out and helps me to my feet. I feel safe and it makes life easier.
Sitting gives me full use of both my hands, my body feels relaxed, and the chair gives me the luxury of time to enjoy taking a shower.
Did I need a shower chair? Most definitely, yes. I had been in denial about my abilities. Was I giving up? No. I am staying in control of how I function in my environment. Are shower chairs only for old people? No, smart people of all ages use them.
BYOB (bring your own bar)
When we were traveling, I quickly learned that accessible motel rooms differ widely in interpretation. Yes, the room was on the ground floor, but several low-mounted towel racks in the bathroom don’t count as grab bars and a little plastic stool placed in the bathtub just doesn’t cut it! More than once I’ve had to use my best Spider-man moves to sit down low and navigate a tub’s swivel-transfer seat.
For anyone who relies on a grab bar, or has experienced the frustration of having to use a badly placed one, I recommend bringing your own. They come in all sizes and are available online or from your local hardware store.
A few years ago, we bought this portable grab bar. It’s a lightweight, yet strong plastic pipe with suction cups that adhere to any flat surface. A smaller version is this one with a single handle.
Hope my experiences and tips help you and your caregiver. Happy showers!
Original image by Ken
Boyd from Pixabay
Versions of this post first appeared in these columns on the ALS News Today website:
https://alsnewstoday.com/columns/2020/01/21/grab-bar-restroom/
https://alsnewstoday.com/columns/2017/09/19/laugh-on-down-the-road/
https://alsnewstoday.com/2019/05/14/aha-moments-shower-chair/
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| Dagmar Munn ALS and Wellness Blogger |
Happiness is ...an Aha Moment!
Thank you for this post. It is helpful!
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad we found your posts. You have been so helpful and we love reading all of them. My husband was diagnosed last fall with ALS so we are newbies to all these things. We will need to remodel the bathroom soon and this looks like just what we need. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteHey Dagmar, your experiences and comments are so useful. Thank you so much!!!
ReplyDeletemy nephew was diagnosed with ALS around 3 years ago, he lives in Colombia (South America). I live in Rainbow City, Alabama and I have been reading as much I can ALS news in order to help him and his wife with the challenges of every day.
They modified the bathroom recently, and installed several bars, but they straggle lately with her helping him to move from his wheelchair to the toilet, or to the shower chair, or to the bed. At this time she harm her arm because of this situation. My nephew at the point is unable to help himself standing up or move his legs or arms, so his wife is bearing all his weight on every visit to the bathroom, shower, and during bed time. What will be a good solution for them?
I appreciate with anticipation any helpful idea. Thank you. May God blesses you beyond your deepest desires.
Sincerely,
Martha Lopez
From grab bars to non-slip surface applications, we have all the safety equipment you need to help seniors at home do basic tasks every day. Recently I bought grab bars form Seniors At Home Solutions. Professionals should install these senior safety solutions wherever you want in your home.
ReplyDeleteGrab bars are an essential part of any shower, providing stability and support for those who need it. There are a variety of grab bars available for showers on the market, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs. Be sure to consult with a professional before installation.
ReplyDelete