Making toilet access easier
If you find that sometimes you (or a person you are caring for) have difficulty reaching the toilet in time there are some things you can do to help. It's important that the toilet environment is safe and free of tripping hazards.
Access and use of a toilet can be made easier by making the following changes:
http://www.enablingenvironments.com.au/adapt-a-house.html Just click on "Bathroom", then hover mouse over the area of interest.
"Pump the Gas"
If you get up during the night to use the bathroom, sit for a moment or two before standing to give your blood pressure a chance to adjust to your upright position.
Point and flex your feet a few times to get the blood flowing.
This is one of our favorite tips, because most people don't understand why they fall when they get out of bed, and it's a simple strategy that has helped many people. "Pumping the gas" is also useful after sitting for extended periods, like at the movies or dinner (especially in winter, when people tend to be sitting for long holiday meals), or when watching TV.
https://www.caring.com/articles/preventing-falls
Some Alternatives:
If you or the person you're caring for cannot reach a toilet easily, alternatives are available:
Many thanks for this Most Important Information. Sometimes it comes to the point where the Carer just cannot continue on... the Ask is TOO GREAT.
It can then happen that the only see-able alternative is a nursing home. The end of the line. Should another alternative exist, it is possible that this inevitable decision 'may' be avoided, at least for a little while...
If you find that sometimes you (or a person you are caring for) have difficulty reaching the toilet in time there are some things you can do to help. It's important that the toilet environment is safe and free of tripping hazards.
Access and use of a toilet can be made easier by making the following changes:
- adjust the toilet to the correct height by using a raised toilet seat and installing grab hand-rails to make sitting down and getting up easier what it looks like: https://patienthandling.com.au/over-toilet-aids/
- provide support for the proper seating position by using a foot stool (if you can do so safely) if your feet do not reach the floor comfortably
- ensure the area is clean and provide good lighting and warmth to make the toilet environment comfortable
- Just imagine their confusion trying to 'find' the toilet if they have sight problems or dementia, when the only distinguishing thing they can 'see' is the round steel water drainage 'grid' on the bathroom floor. The room is 'Empty'??? (what with the White walls, White floor, White toilet, White railings... no wonder). Hint: pour a bit of 'blue' into the toilet bowl. Ah, There's the toilet... pee...
- ensure the toilet is safe by removing clutter that can slow or trip you such as floor rugs and bath mats, and
- install an outward opening door - inward opening doors are dangerous particularly if you fall against the closed door and are then are trapped.
http://www.enablingenvironments.com.au/adapt-a-house.html Just click on "Bathroom", then hover mouse over the area of interest.
"Pump the Gas"
If you get up during the night to use the bathroom, sit for a moment or two before standing to give your blood pressure a chance to adjust to your upright position.
Point and flex your feet a few times to get the blood flowing.
This is one of our favorite tips, because most people don't understand why they fall when they get out of bed, and it's a simple strategy that has helped many people. "Pumping the gas" is also useful after sitting for extended periods, like at the movies or dinner (especially in winter, when people tend to be sitting for long holiday meals), or when watching TV.
https://www.caring.com/articles/preventing-falls
Some Alternatives:
If you or the person you're caring for cannot reach a toilet easily, alternatives are available:
- commodes - a commode is a chair with a built in toilet pan which can be placed by the bed.
- Commodes come in a variety of designs. Some look like ordinary chairs with a cover-seat in position.
- Mobile commodes have two or four wheels and brakes. what it looks like: https://patienthandling.com.au/toilet-shower-commodes/
- hand held urinals - these bottles or urine collection devices are available for men and women.
- Some have a non-spill design and can be used in bed or on a chair.
- Disposable urinals are available for travelling. You need to have a degree of strength and flexibility, particularly so for female urinals which must be held quite firmly.
Many thanks for this Most Important Information. Sometimes it comes to the point where the Carer just cannot continue on... the Ask is TOO GREAT.
It can then happen that the only see-able alternative is a nursing home. The end of the line. Should another alternative exist, it is possible that this inevitable decision 'may' be avoided, at least for a little while...