OT - Took a Nasty Fall

JDS74 wrote: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.

They have such things already. When I helped renovate the inn one of the rooms had a large shower. The fibreglass pre made enclosure had a seat built into it. The lip was about 4 inches high. The nice thing about the premade enclosure is that they don't leak and don't require the skills of good tiling to prevent leaks and there is no grout to grow mold. Though I think the European idea of "wet room" is best. The bathrooms my relatives had in The Netherlands were basically a small water proof room with toilet, sink and shower head and one drain in the middle of the room, no curtains.

Japanese bathrooms are great - designed so you can get in the bath and have the water overflow, you can actually sit close to the floor and pour water over yourself. Or use a portable shower head. Easy clean-up, too. A one-piece shower would be wonderful. No grout to replace every couple of years because it goes moldy or falls out ...

In my situation, with an unknown Muscular Dystrophy, it is important that I walk/stand as much as POSSIBLE to maintain any muscle tone I have left. It's always been a balancing act between doing just enough and not overdoing it. The fall I took was first thing in the morning so it's concerning since I hadn't done anything other than get up. We decided to purchase a second rollator (walker with wheels, seat & brakes) to keep near the bathroom so that I will always have that to use. My other rollator is near the kitchen & laundry room.

As of a few days ago, I am now using a rollator to go to my side of the bed and get in. Before, I was driving my power chair from the bathroom to my side, then hubby was moving it to the family room to charge, then bringing it back in for me in the morning. Now, I'm walking with my rollator like I did before the fall.

We have found a way that I CAN step into my shower, bathe, and get out relatively safely using the new rollator. I've had to sacrifice shaving my legs in the shower, but I can get around that easily enough.

If/when we come into some money, we'll might re-do the bathroom. But truth be told, since our last child is heading out in August (he enlisted in the Army), our house is much too large and we might move to something smaller. It would be a shame to spend all that money, then move.

For now, I'm trying to recover as best I can and as much mobility/ability as I can. I know I have to take extra care and precautions (thus the second rollator) but I can't give in to this fall and let it take more away from me than I'm ready to give up.

Glad you're finding ways to regain control of you life. A little at a time, solutions will present themselves.

I am glad things are back under control. It does sound like waiting for future developments is a good idea.

I mainly kept giving ideas for the benefit of other people. When mother started going down hill after I got here it was so difficult in that I had no idea of where to look or who to ask for help. I didn't even know the questions to ask LOL. I wish I could have come across this thread 3 years ago.

BlackSpinner wrote:I mainly kept giving ideas for the benefit of other people. When mother started going down hill after I got here it was so difficult in that I had no idea of where to look or who to ask for help. I didn't even know the questions to ask LOL. I wish I could have come across this thread 3 years ago.

And please don't stop! I am so grateful to you for sharing ideas. Some of them aren't applicable to me, but some ARE and I truly appreciate your taking the time to give them!!

Hi Madalot:

I took the time to sketch out what I tried to describe.


On this sketch, the ramp on the right tapers up to the level of the rim of the shower.
Inside the shower, is a platform on rubber feet that matches the level of the rim and ramp.
On the shower wall is a slanted support "shelf" that is not intended to sit on but allows some of the weight to be supported while In the shower.

Of course, there should be support bars on both walls of the shower on either side of the "shelf" and on the bathroom wall above the ramp. Except for the support bars, all of the pieces could be made removable.
Total lumber might be 15 board feet. Shouldn't be much of a carpentry job.

If you have one of those extended brushes, you could rest on the "shelf" and scrub your lower legs and feet without risking a loss of balance.

Thinking of you and wishing for a good recovery.
James

Well I'm very grateful for all the suggestions and I've marked this thread for reference. I think it's quite likely I'll need one or the other of those solutions at some time in my life. Thank you James for taking the trouble to do the illustration. And finally, to Madalot, thank you for the reminder that sometimes the best solution can be as simple as an extra rollator in the right place. I'm so glad you are getting around again.

JDS74 wrote:Hi Madalot:

I took the time to sketch out what I tried to describe.

Thank you SO much for doing this, James. I love the idea and if our shower were larger, I would have my hubby do it in a heartbeat! Our bathroom is one of those where the shower & toilet are in a room by themselves, with the sink area outside. The shower & toilet are very tight in the room, which actually has it's benefits for me because there isn't any "extra" space where I need to walk.

Regardless, James, I plan to keep this drawing in case we CAN find a way to do it in the future. Again, many many thanks for taking the time to do this!

MidnightOwl wrote:Well I'm very grateful for all the suggestions and I've marked this thread for reference. I think it's quite likely I'll need one or the other of those solutions at some time in my life. Thank you James for taking the trouble to do the illustration. And finally, to Madalot, thank you for the reminder that sometimes the best solution can be as simple as an extra rollator in the right place. I'm so glad you are getting around again.

I am as well, MidnightOwl. Yes, sometimes the solution is pretty simple. I'm especially happy (and proud) of my coffee setup, which solved the problem of getting my own coffee and risking a fall and/or getting burned. I can do ALL my own coffee brewing and refilling of the coffee maker (K-Cup) from my power wheelchair. Since I am home alone most days, this has allowed me to SAFELY have coffee whenever I want through the day.

Another option for a small shower is a folding shower chair. I had one installed in my shower. The seat folds up against the wall of the shower, giving me plenty of room to get in and out of the stall. Once I'm in the stall I can fold it down to sit on it and I have two shower bars to hold onto when I need them. One is by the entrance to the stall, the other is next to the chair.

library lady wrote:Another option for a small shower is a folding shower chair. I had one installed in my shower. The seat folds up against the wall of the shower, giving me plenty of room to get in and out of the stall. Once I'm in the stall I can fold it down to sit on it and I have two shower bars to hold onto when I need them. One is by the entrance to the stall, the other is next to the chair.

We've been considering this exact thing. Our shower has one of those stupid seats. I called them "stupid" because only a child would consider that a reasonable seat. I used it to brace each leg as I shaved it AND to keep shampoos & body washes. About all it's good for!

What you're describing would have to go over top of that seat, which is fine, but my husband hasn't figured out how to attach it to accommodate my weight. This is one of those things that my husband ponders for a while until he figures it out. And he's still in the "pondering" phase.

For now, I am able to shower and wash my hair daily. Our shower has a grab bar on one side. The new rollator isn't as wide as my other one and comes through that bathroom door easily. I lock the brakes so that when I come out, I can grab the handles to support myself. I lay my bath towel on it BEFORE I get in. Once dried off, I roll it out the door to the bathroom sink where I can SIT and brush my teeth, wash my face, etc. Then I get up and use the rollator to go the bedroom to get dressed (I put my clothes on the bed beforehand).

At least now, I'm doing most of my routine but using a rollator full time when I'm up walking. No more just going "because it's only a few steps."

My ankle and leg still hurt pretty badly, but at least I CAN put weight on it and get around better.