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I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
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V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
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Bathing/Showering safety. Does anyone have expert advice on safety for bathing and showering seniors who are frail or do not have the strength for thorough cleansing. Chairs and grab bars are good to have but is there more?
..bathing safety is very important in seniors life.. As u mentioned chairs and grab bars are big help.., also I think we need to make sure there is no throw rug on the bathroom floor, cause, they slide around easily and could cause a fall.., and another good idea, I think, to make sure that the bottom of the bathtub has nonskid runner or strips to prevent falls from the slippery surface of the wet tub.. , also we might think of putting a phone in the bathroom, or some kind of an emergency call button, so they can call 911 in case of fall...
ABLEDATA has a great collection of bathing aids listed under Daily Living at http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&top=11860&deep=2&trail=22
These include stools, chairs, lifts, safety items, washing aids, and other accessories.
Hi Kassie, From what you have mentioned, I would think that a shower bench, some assistance and a hand held shower attachment from any hardware store should be just what you need at this point. However, maybe you should contact the senior's doctor to see if he can order a homecare evaluation done. Then a therapist could come to the home and access the situation and be able to identify what aids would be needed for safe showering. Good luck to you. ~Sooz~
Our occupational therapist handled all that for us. The DR. ordered it along with Visiting Nurse. They were fantastic. Today, I finally found the brush I have been searching for 98 cents!!!! It is a bottle brush made up of sponges that looks like a flower. It is made of many pieces of sponge put together like a pom pom. I found it in the grocery store. It is very light and mom can handle it. The ones I bought for her in the drugstore are too heavy and she could not use them even though they were made for people such as she is. The hand held shower from the catalog has an off and on switch which the regular ones in the hardware store don't have. We put rubber bath mats on her shower floor. We use a rug to step out onto so that she does not slip, but remove it as soon as she sits on the toilet to dry herself. We put a towel on the toilet seat so that she doesn't slip off!! She finds shower gel is easier than a bar of soap. We also hung a shower cady on the wall nest to her in the shower. We used those hooks that can be removed with no damage. I think they are called Command???? Hope this helps. Linda
These are all good ideas. One thing I would add is making sure the air temperature is warm enough and don't startle the person with quick changes or movements. Mention what you are going to do, softly (or with humor if that is the right approach for this particular person), before following through with the motion.
When someone is vulnerable, extra attention needs to be paid to making them feel safe. It's so easy to just want to get the job done. Most of us have done that. I know I have.
Knowing the personality of the person we are helping makes it easier. Thanks for all the wonderful tips. Carol
Yes, Carol is right. We have a ceiling heater in the bathroom and a space heater by the entrance to the bathroom. Just don't put one in the bathroom since you could have an unsafe condition. We heat the bathroom for about 20 minutes before she gets in the shower, It really helps. Linda
I work for a nationwide caregiver network with more than 150 offices in the US. This is a big problem that we see. A lot of seniors also just don't want to bathe. If the senior is too frail or weak to bathe on their own, than they need some aid. Beyond just a chair, maybe adding a seated stall area to the tub/shower can be helpful.
Often this is an excuse for someone who does not want to bathe, we run into that a lot and recommend that: 1. Ensure as much privacy as possible and provide adequate lighting and safety measures (grab bars, shower bench, non-skid surfaces, hand-held shower head etc.);
2. Experiment with times of day that are mutually agreeable - include the person in the decision making;
3. Prepare the bathroom so that it is cozy, warm and provides a distraction-free environment that is pleasing;
4. Be positive and upbeat and use a calm voice at all times;
5. Separate hair-washing from bathing so that the bathing session doesn’t take a long time;
6. Be willing to negotiate how often the full shower or bath is taken - three times a week is adequate with sponge bathing in-between; and,
7. Be aware if pain, balance or fear of falling is an issue and address the remedy for each BEFORE beginning the bathing process.
If a loved one is weak and frail, think about a chair at the sink and doing a sponge bath. A bed bath can work also when a loved one is frail. Be sure to keep them covered and warm no matter how you do it... Protect their dignity as well as keeping them warm... Warm a towel (in the dryer)to wrap around your loved one. warm some lotion and apply it to arms legs, feet and back... this can be very comforting but also good for skin.
Grab bars are a simple fix and can prevent a fall in installed right. There are grab bars that don't look like grab bars, for example a towel bar or toilet paper dispenser that acts as a grab bar too.
Just got mom a sponge on a handle that is meant for doing the dishes. It is smaller than the shower ones and much lighter. It seems to be doing a much better job and she can do it herself. We put a towel on her toilet chair to keep her from slipping when she is wet. There are so many ideas on this site it is hard to keep up.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
These include stools, chairs, lifts, safety items, washing aids, and other accessories.
---Jess
From what you have mentioned, I would think that a shower bench, some assistance and a hand held shower attachment from any hardware store should be just what you need at this point. However, maybe you should contact the senior's doctor to see if he can order a homecare evaluation done. Then a therapist could come to the home and access the situation and be able to identify what aids would be needed for safe showering. Good luck to you. ~Sooz~
Tell them it was ordered by the doctor to help their sore back, sore feet, anything that they can believe.
DON'T rely on them to take care of their sanitary needs, or even know how to use all the safety devices you put in place.
There is NO substitute for having someone who is reliable and reputable to help them!
Linda
When someone is vulnerable, extra attention needs to be paid to making them feel safe. It's so easy to just want to get the job done. Most of us have done that. I know I have.
Knowing the personality of the person we are helping makes it easier. Thanks for all the wonderful tips.
Carol
Linda
I work for a nationwide caregiver network with more than 150 offices in the US. This is a big problem that we see. A lot of seniors also just don't want to bathe. If the senior is too frail or weak to bathe on their own, than they need some aid. Beyond just a chair, maybe adding a seated stall area to the tub/shower can be helpful.
Often this is an excuse for someone who does not want to bathe, we run into that a lot and recommend that: 1. Ensure as much privacy as possible and provide adequate lighting and safety measures (grab bars, shower bench, non-skid surfaces, hand-held shower head etc.);
2. Experiment with times of day that are mutually agreeable - include the person in the decision making;
3. Prepare the bathroom so that it is cozy, warm and provides a distraction-free environment that is pleasing;
4. Be positive and upbeat and use a calm voice at all times;
5. Separate hair-washing from bathing so that the bathing session doesn’t take a long time;
6. Be willing to negotiate how often the full shower or bath is taken - three times a week is adequate with sponge bathing in-between; and,
7. Be aware if pain, balance or fear of falling is an issue and address the remedy for each BEFORE beginning the bathing process.
Good luck,
Bill