As your dad ages, his flexibility and balance are worsening. He’s fallen twice in the bathroom, and you worry about it continuing to happen. It’s time to address his need for personal care at home.
Talk to His Doctor
Ask your dad’s doctor about his falls. If they are the result of medication side effects, it’s time to ask if there are options with fewer side effects. If not, ask if he can take them at a time of day when he’s more likely to sit down for a period of time, such as after his post-lunch walk.
If his balance and mobility are diminishing, find out if it’s worth getting him to work with a physical therapist. It may help him gain balance and muscle strength.
Invest in Grab Bars
Personal Care at Home in St. Petersburg FL
Make sure his bathroom is fitted with grab bars. Ideally, they need to be to the side of the toilet. One should be on the wall above the toilet tank, if possible. Grab bars need to be inside the shower stall or bathtub. There should also be a grab bar outside of the tub or shower stall to hold while stepping out.
When grab bars are installed, look for the weight rating. If your dad weighs 240 pounds and the grab bar is only rated to 200 pounds, it’s not good enough. If you can’t anchor the grab bar to studs on a molded shower stall or tub/shower combo, look for heavy-duty suction cup options.
Put In Non-Slip Flooring
Non-slip flooring is essential in the bathroom. Tiles get slippery when wet. The same is true of linoleum floors. Check out waterproof vinyl plank flooring as many are textured to prevent slips and falls.
Non-slip bath mats inside and outside the tub or shower floor are also handy for fall prevention. Mats with suction cup backing are ideal.
Hire Personal Care at Home Providers
Have personal care at home available to help your dad with the tasks of daily living. He can have a caregiver there for support as he takes a bath or shower. When it’s time to get out, his caregiver holds onto him.
His personal care aides can help him with showering, but they can also help him as he dries off and gets dressed. They can help him with brushing and flossing his teeth, combing and styling his hair, and fastening his shoe laces, buckles, or straps.
Personal care at home assures your dad’s grooming and hygiene don’t go ignored. He may find it hard to trim his toenails properly or shave his face, but that shouldn’t mean he has to give up those aspects of care. Arrange personal care at home to ensure these and other hygiene and grooming tasks are completed every day.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Personal Care at Home in St. Petersburg, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
