OT - Took a Nasty Fall

[BlackSpinner]

Maddy
They make shower chairs. We went through all this with my mother.


Or if you have a tub:

[Madalot]

Thanks, Blackspinner. We have a small walk in shower. We have looked everywhere at chairs and none will work. The ones that would fit, I can't get off of them.

We got a quote to put in a totally accessible shower and it was over $4000. If we ever win the lottery, that will be one of the first things we do.

[BlackSpinner]

Thanks, Blackspinner. We have a small walk in shower. We have looked everywhere at chairs and none will work. The ones that would fit, I can't get off of them.

We got a quote to put in a totally accessible shower and it was over $4000. If we ever win the lottery, that will be one of the first things we do.

I am sorry to hear that. And of course renovations usually end up costing a lot more then quoted because there are all sorts of nasties hiding in the walls you take apart.

We got some government grants for various alteration and the equipment we needed to keep mom at home. We have chair elevator on the stairs and lifts for getting her in and out of bed, her daytime chair and the bathroom where the government paid for the equipment and we paid the construction required - that halved the costs for us. Whatever you do don't get one of those walk in tubs. They are great only as long as you can actually walk, once you can't walk they become a huge barrier. A drive in shower is much better.

The people who helped us most were occupational therapists who work with the elderly. They worked on how mom could move AND how we need to move in order to help her and not hurt ourselves plus they knew what worked now and what was going to work (or not) in the future. Because it is not only you that is involved - I hurt myself because I was trying to do to much on my own and moving the wrong way.

[Madalot]

The people who helped us most were occupational therapists who work with the elderly. They worked on how mom could move AND how we need to move in order to help her and not hurt ourselves plus they knew what worked now and what was going to work (or not) in the future. Because it is not only you that is involved - I hurt myself because I was trying to do to much on my own and moving the wrong way.

I hope and pray you didn't hurt yourself too badly. This is one of my biggest fears - that my husband will hurt himself helping me. I am grateful to the EMTs that came because the way THEY got me up is easier (even though it takes two people) but I know my husband won't hurt himself using their method.

I have a wonderful Occupational Therapist, but she works at a major university hospital and is so busy it's ridiculous. I see her once a year and can email her in between.

I wish we could get a chair in there, but it's just not doable. I'm better off standing up than trying to get myself up from one of those chairs.

At this point, it's our hope that I can recover enough to shower standing up the way I was before. I think my days of shaving my legs in the shower are over, but I can get around that without too much problem.

As I've said, if I had lost my balance or tripped, I wouldn't be quite as upset or depressed. I have so many "near misses" like that that a fall was bound to happen eventually (thus why I have a Life Alert system). But this fall was not a balance loss or trip -- I was just DOWN before I knew what happened. And because of it, things will never be the same.

[chunkyfrog]

Looks like something a welder could rig out of an old IV stand.

[Madalot]

Maddie:

http://www.airdesks.com/?gclid=CMCsodLV ... fgodM48AIA

Just a suggestion that has been a life saver for me for a few years now. I love my computer, but have lymphedema in both legs and chronic back pain and cannot sit with my legs hanging down. With this "Air Desk" you can sit in a recliner and have it come right over your lap. The price is well worth it!

I have no association with this company, other than being a happy customer.

Janice

I just now got the chance to look at this. Thanks for sharing it. I might consider something like this in the future. At this point, I have a small netbook that I CAN use with a lap desk. Nowhere near as nice as the air desk, but workable for the moment.

[lindalrc]

So very sorry to hear about the fall. Just wanted to post a quick FYI ALERT related to possible falls. Last November I took a 5 day course of Cipro (an antibiotic I have taken before). At Christmas - for no obvious reason - I developed a tendon problem in my left ankle leading to the crutches/boot/PT sequence. It still bothers some. Then in early April I developed a tendon problem in the right hand. As with most people by age 70+, a lot of health stuff including a fractured pelvis has come my way, but never tendon problems. My doctor has linked it (possibly) to the Cipro which has a Black Box warning for tendons. Not recommended for those over 60 years. I am lucky in that I did not experience a frequent manifestation of this side effect which is catastrophic and spontaneous failure of the Achilles heel tendon. Around 1 % of people taking Cipro (or related) antibiotics can experience this or milder tendon issues.

Falling - not fun!!!!

[Madalot]

I am still relatively young (52) but with a Muscular Dystrophy, falls are always a concern. I see my Neurology Team (yes, I have a Team) once a year and that's one of the first things they ask -- "Have you fallen in the last 6 months?" My last fall was December of 2012 and I wasn't really hurt (just sore). This fall was bad because I was hurt and I was home alone. Paying on my Life Alert system for two years was well worth it that day.

[kteague]

Wondering if your shower ceiling has a beam that would hold a drop-down swing or sling type seat that could be stabilized when down, or a harness of some sort for support that could be put up out of the way when not in use... not an engineer, just wishing you could have some sense of normalcy in your routine.

[ems]

Wondering if your shower ceiling has a beam that would hold a drop-down swing or sling type seat that could be stabilized when down, or a harness of some sort for support that could be put up out of the way when not in use... not an engineer, just wishing you could have some sense of normalcy in your routine.

You know, that's really a great idea! Now to find someone that could do that. If there is a beam, I bet it could be done.

[BlackSpinner]

Wondering if your shower ceiling has a beam that would hold a drop-down swing or sling type seat that could be stabilized when down, or a harness of some sort for support that could be put up out of the way when not in use... not an engineer, just wishing you could have some sense of normalcy in your routine.

You know, that's really a great idea! Now to find someone that could do that. If there is a beam, I bet it could be done.

That is what we have in the ceilings of several rooms to hold the lift tracks.

If it has a beam at the right place a simple large hook could be installed. Attach a swivel with another hook and to that attach a swing seat with sides and back with chains (4). side chains that hook into the wall (more tricky) to stabilize it. It would be best though to have a track going from outside the shower so she could get in it outside the box and slide in and out easily - but that would cost a lot more and causes issues with the shower curtain.

[MidnightOwl]

How frightening and how aggravating. Thinking of you.

midnightowl

[Stormynights]

If there is anything I can do let me know.

[Madalot]

Wondering if your shower ceiling has a beam that would hold a drop-down swing or sling type seat that could be stabilized when down, or a harness of some sort for support that could be put up out of the way when not in use... not an engineer, just wishing you could have some sense of normalcy in your routine.

This idea I will run past my husband. I don't know if it's doable, but he would be able to tell pretty quickly (he's good at this kind of thing). Thank you.

And again, my thanks for the good wishes and support from all. It helps a lot.

[JDS74]

If the edge of the shower is an obstacle, perhaps a low ramp could be made that would be level with the shower edge. A separate platform on the shower side could be made that would fit inside the shower stall so there would not be any bump to getting in or out.

If I were building such a thing, I would build in a partial seat support so you could rest while not actually sitting down. It would be on the wall opposite to the stall opening and have assist bars on the side walls.
Pressure treated lumber, sanded and sealed would be durable in that environment. With minimal carpentry skills, it might cost less than $50 US.

If you need a sketch, I'll be glad to make one and post it.