When you live independently you still do many things for yourself. Among the most important of these are bathroom activities. This is certainly still true even after engaging professional elderly care. Newbury Park, CA seniors can retain this level of independence with some helpful bathroom gadgets.
Many of these gadgets may require set up, assembly, or installation. For these needs, hopefully a family member would be available to offer any needed help. But if a family member isn’t available, helpful elderly home caregivers in Newbury Park, CA can lend assistance. And if a time comes when even these gadgets make some bathroom activities too difficult, a senior companion, or even a live in caregiver can lend personal care for seniors in Newbury Park, CA.
Here are just a few of the many gadgets available to make bathroom activities more accessible.
First up is a water temperature thermometer. These are added in line, often with the shower head integrated. With this installed, there no longer is any need to put your hand in the stream of water to test the temperature, which can lead to scalding or worse if the water is surprisingly hot. Some models are powered by the water going past, so they do not require batteries. With a thermometer integrated in the shower, there no longer is any guess work about whether or not the water is too hot.
A second gadget which can help prevent injury is a bathtub and shower chair. These chairs are made of sturdy material that is not bothered by water. They allow a person who cannot stand for long periods, or who is unsteady on their feet, to continue showering safely. They typically have arms on them to aid in standing up, and to prevent falling off the chair while moving around to bathe.
The third and fourth gadgets we’ll mention today are common in public restrooms, but there’s no reason they can’t bring convenience to your own home. These are automatic faucets and automatic soap dispensers. When washing your hands, the faucet handle and the soap dispenser, or a clumsy bar of soap, can be a challenge to those with reduced dexterity. With these gadgets, the user need only wave his or her hand under the nozzle and out comes the water and the soap.
Another gadget (which can be used anywhere in the house, really) is a light-sensitive LED nightlight. It’s a modern version of the little lights that once were in so many people’s houses, plugged into hallway outlets all over. But this time they have LED lights, which last much longer than the old incandescent bulbs, and cost much less to power. These can be handy in the bathroom, but also along the hallway, to help light the way from the bedroom to the bathroom, kitchen, along the stairs, or anywhere else.
The last gadget we’ll mention is another gadget to help prevent falling over. We mentioned the shower seat above, well the toilet is another place where rising from a seated position can be challenge. With toilet safety rails the user has sturdy grips at the ready to provide a convenient aid to standing up when the business is complete. Toilet safety rails are easy to assemble and easy to use.
These gadgets, and so many others, can help seniors stay in their homes longer. And the best aid to aging safely in the comfort of your own home is a competent, compassionate CAREGiver from Home Instead. Call Home Instead at (805) 429-9789 for your virtual or in-home assessment today!
