Illness, injury and aging can sometimes make it hard to continue what medical professionals refer to as our activities of daily living (ADL). These include such activities as bathing and using the toilet. If your condition is long-term, you may want to consider a bathroom makeover that makes use of universal design. If the situation is temporary or you don't want the redesign expense, there are many adaptive devices that allow you to stay in your home and care for your own needs.
Toilets
Sitting on and getting up from a low toilet can be a problem for many people. There are a number of ways to combat it. Many retailers, such as Medical Products Direct, sell raised toilet seats that can be placed atop your regular toilet at home. Grab bars on the sides can help you pull yourself back to a standing position. For some people, grab bars alone may be all they need to steady themselves. These can be attached to the wall or positioned around the toilet. Fancier options also are available. Phillips Lift Systems sells an elevated toilet seat that helps give people a lift off the seat, and some manufacturers selI toilets of higher than average height. If getting to the toilet itself is a problem, there are a variety of bedside commodes on the market.
Bathing and Showering
Personal hygiene is an important part of toileting and staying healthy. Again, there are a number of products to help with all levels of assistance. Installing grab bars in the bathtub or shower stall is one option. Adding a seat to the bath or shower also may help. You might consider substituting a fixed-mount shower head for a hand-held model to assist in bathing. If you're redesigning the bathroom, think about replacing an old bathtub with a walk-in shower or tub.
Vanities and Lighting
If you live in an older home and haven't remodeled for a while, you may be surprised to find that most vanities today are several inches higher than they used to be. That means much less bending over at the sink when you're trying to wash or brush teeth. It's a simple thing, but also be sure you have enough light above the vanity or in the bathroom in general to help you easily tend to your needs. The elderly and anyone with vision problems may benefit from brighter bulbs or more task lighting.
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