Your mom fell and broke her hip. Your dad has gout and the pain makes it hard for him to walk. When mobility is limited, so many aspects of daily living become problematic. Even getting clothes from a closet can be a challenge.
When mobility is impacted, adapting the home to fit these changes is important. You’ve thought about the changes that the bathroom, living room, and kitchen need. Have you considered the bedroom closet?
How Does Less Mobility Affect Getting Clothes?
Some closets are designed for easy entry and access. A walk-in closet with a wide doorway is ideal. A traditional closet is narrower and harder to get into. If your parent is using a walker or wheelchair to move around, reaching into the back of a closet will be hard.
Some people find it’s best to move clothing from a closet and put it onto shelves or drawers within the bedroom. That is an option if there’s enough space. It’s not always possible. Extending reach grabbing tools will help grab some items, but it’s not easy to get clothes off hangers with a grabbing tool.
What Designs Help?
If it’s possible, ditch the closet door and install a barn-style sliding door. This door slides out the way, so hinges don’t take up any space. It’s a great door to use when aiming for a wider doorway. If that doesn’t work, is there the possibility of putting in French doors? Two doors together will create an opening that’s very easy to manage from a wheelchair.
Shelves and drawers are easier to use when your mobility impacts your reach. Instead of hanging clothes, place a dresser or shelves right inside the door opening. Clothes can easily be pulled from a shelf or drawer.
Slide out shelving is very helpful. If the slide-out tray is the right height for a wheelchair user, it can make retrieving clothing incredibly easy to accomplish without help.
In a walk-in closet is a great place to install pull-down closet rods that drop down. The hangers come down to an easy level and make clothing items easier to reach.
Limited mobility affects everyone. If you’re taking time out of your day to help your parents with meals or home care and maintenance, it can become overwhelming. Don’t reach a point where you burn out. Call a home care agency to discuss part-time home care services or respite care.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Home Care in South Pasadena, 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.
