Caregiver Tips: Your mom had a stroke. When she comes home, it won’t be the same.
She needs a walker or wheelchair. You have to make adjustments for her to be able to get around the house without a struggle. At the same time, you need to make arrangements to have people here to help her with meals, housekeeping, transportation, and other daily chores. One of the tasks you’re not sure how to manage is showering. Someone needs to help your mom in the shower, but you and your siblings all work. How do you simplify showering her after a stroke? Read the following caregiver tips for some ideas.
Purchase a Shower Seat
Purchase a shower seat that has feet that suction to the shower or tub floor. If there’s money available, a shower seat that bolts to the wall and folds down is a space-saver.
If your mom only has a bathtub, she needs grab bars to hold while she steps over the side of the tub. You may want to look at the cost of switching to a shower stall or putting in a walk-in tub that has a door.
Install Grab Bars
As mentioned, grab bars are essential for support while getting in and out of a tub or shower. Install them outside the wall near the tub or shower, inside the tub or shower, and near the toilet. In a smaller bathroom, grab bars that have a second bar for hanging towels help save space.
Organize Everything Before the Shower
Before helping your mom with her shower, have everything ready. She needs the body wash, washcloth, shampoo, and conditioner on hand. There needs to be a dry towel ready for her as soon as the water is turned off.
A portable organizer helps with organization. Get a caddy that fits everything she needs for her shower. It should have enough bins for the shampoo, body wash, and conditioner. Plus, it needs space for her washcloth or back scrubber, razor, and lotion for after the shower.
Install a Hand-Held Shower Wand
Finally, install a hand-held shower wand. If your mom or her caregiver can direct the water to specific spots, it makes bathing a lot easier to manage.
Caregiver Tips: Hire Senior Home Care Aides
One of the possible services from a senior home care agency is bathing/grooming. If you hire a trained caregiver to help with showers and baths, you don’t have to worry about your mom’s daily shower. You can do other things in the home while the caregiver helps her bathe. These caregiver tips above should help you get through the everyday tasks needed for your senior’s care.
To arrange senior home care, call an agency. The specialist will walk you through the prices and options that best suit your mom’s needs.