Guest blogger Cynthia Lourie, MS, OTR/L, ECHM, CAPS, EnABLE Home Solutions LLC
According to the AARP, 75% of older adults would like to remain in their current home environment, wherever that may be. Unfortunately, a person’s home environment may be the very obstacle to achieving this goal. Fortunately, there are professionals that can help prepare a loved one’s home so that they can remain at home independently or with assistance from a homecare professional.
Occupational therapists and aging in place specialists make reasonable and individualized recommendations to accomplish the goals of decreasing a person’s fall risks and ensuring accessibility to maximize the individual’s functional status. Not surprisingly, an area of considerable concern for many people is the bathroom.
Toileting Independence is Essential for Modesty and Remaining at Home
Out of all activities of daily living (ADL), maintaining independent toileting is a top priority for most people. Not only is this care routine deeply personal, but it is also a key component in determining if someone can remain at home or how much outside care is needed to do so. If an individual is unable to perform this personal hygiene task, outside care is likely needed.
Here are some ways to improve safety and independence with toileting:
- Confirm access to the toilet is as safe as possible. Does a door need removed or are swing away hinges needed to widen the doorway to allow use of a mobility device? Does a grab bar need installed at the right spot to allow a safer turn to the toilet? Since falls are more likely at night, do nighttime toileting routines need modified to ensure safety?
- Standing and sitting are easier from firm, level surfaces with a good height and two armrests (avoid the middle of the sofa!). Toilets can be made more user-friendly by adding armrests or grab bars using the toilet seat bolts. Not everyone needs a raised toilet seat. The shorter you are, the less likely a raised seat will be helpful. If standing from the toilet is difficult, the extra height may be needed. There are many different options on the market but avoid clamp on seats that are wobbly.
- Installing a bidet to your existing toilet can be very helpful for maintaining hygiene independence. A simple bidet is cost effective and hooked into the existing water line to the toilet. The water will be at room temperature. A full bidet seat with features such as warm water can replace your current seat but there needs to be an accessible electric outlet.
Toileting is just one area of many to address when assessing the home environment to maximize function and decrease fall risks, but it is an important one!
For more information on making your home safer for an older loved one, contact EnABLE Home Solutions at https://www.enablehomesolutions.com/. If your loved one needs additional care to remain in their home, schedule a complimentary evaluation with the Kadan Homecare team to determine what level of care is right for your needs. Call 770-396-8997 or visit https://www.kadan.org/.
