Convalescent Care part 2
Toilet / bathroom IF possible the convalescent area should have its own dedicated facilities. An alternative to this would be to set aside the nearest toilet for their use OR if the situation demands it you could use a commode chair.
Toilet / bathroom areas should be fitted with grab bars ahead of time as you never know when a family member or you, will need them. Even if you can not have a private bathroom in the sick area, if all you can have is a sink with running water, it would be great. Also consider some sort of call or panic button in this area in-case someone needs help or falls. It is easy to install either wired or wireless doorbells near the toilet with the ringer in the hallway or some other convenient location. The convalescent person should have a whistle to blow for help on their wrist or as a pendent. You may need to consider stocking a bedpan and urinal in case the person is bedridden.
The shower or tub should be cleaned after use with a 10% bleach solution to cut down on transmission of diseases. If the person has any wounds the bathing area should be treated prior to them using it too. Consider stocking a shower chair too.
Much of the DME [durable medical equipment] is covered by insurance in which case you can get new stuff. It is cheaper though if you have to get it out of pocket to hit garage sales, flee markets or other such places.
Stairs are OUT! Convalescent and elderly people need to be on the ground level. From a health and safety point of view and general convenience issues it is easier and better to be on the ground level. If the person is semi-mobile it is easier for them to be more independent. If they have to be transported via ambulance there is better access. The fire department will thank you if they ever have to evacuate your family member too. Stairs contribute to both the number and severity of falls. If there is no way around having stairs make sure that there are hand rails on both sides and that they are very sturdy. If possible replace stairs with ramps for easier access.
Floors are easy to trip on. How is that you ask? Deep carpet can catch feet and trip people. Throw rugs are dangerous as are cords and wires. Keep the walkway clear and uncluttered.
Lighting is a large issue for convalescent, old folks and actually ALL of us. Night lights are a good idea for safety in walkways and bathrooms. A way to save money and dress the place up some is to use LED Christmas lights. Finding strings of such lights is becoming easier as they are showing up for All Hallow’s Eve more commonly known as Halloween. The lights are cheaper if you wait till the day after the holiday to buy them.
Phones should be accessible and secured so they can not be knocked off the hook. In the convalescent area you may consider a separate line into this area. Consider the doorbell call system as already discussed. This may be a good situation for FRS radios. Cellphones would be great here too if the person can use one.
BTW it is often cheaper and easier to keep someone home V putting them in a ‘real’ nursing home. IF needed you can often hire sitters 24 / 7 cheaper than nursing homes.
As a side note there are a lot of people who have run the numbers and decided that living on a Cruise Ship is cheaper and better than an assisted living facility. ;]
What are your thoughts??