Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Is there help for my 90 year old mother to convert from a tub to shower in her bath? She still lives alone and is able to care for herself, but is not able to get into her tub. She only receives her Social Security income.
By DWC
There is government organization that will help low income seniors and people with disabilities with things like that. The big problem is that it has different names in different states and even towns in the state might have different names. If your mother has any type of social worker talk to that person to see if they know anything about this. The program is income based and if for some reason your mother would have to leave the house before a certain time frame as elapsed she would have to pay back the cost on a pro-rated basis.
If your mother can get into the tub but not sit down get her one of those seats for the bath tub and put a shower curtain up. If not if your handy remove the tub and put a shower stall in there in the same place and get a faucet with a shower attachment to it and place in original faucet place.
I have a few suggestions that you may want to check into. In Ohio we have a group who help disabled and seniors who own their own homes with repairs and chores ect.. they are People Working Cooperatively and you might try Habitat for Humanity. You may also ask around at your local Senior Center possibly at the State or Local medicare office.
I'm a senior and planning a conversion. I'm looking to the future and want fixtures placed where I can shower sitting. I'm seeing pictures where the faucet is placed too high to turn the water on and off while sitting. I have a handheld shower now and it is too high and hurts my shoulder reaching for it.
There are handhelds that have a pause, but I don't think they turn the water off. I know I'm rattling, but the more I research the more confused I get. What type plumbing fixtures and devices have you installed?If I may make a suggestion, it may pay to talk to a bathroom installation company that specializes renovations for someone who is disabled. The challenge (from what I have learned) is more about design rather than the fixtures themselves. So if you have an issue with your shoulder and reach, that would be different than someone who just wants safety bars and a chair.
I know from someone who has MS, that there are such places that will design to your particular need.
Be sure to get references and check them before picking the company.
Hope yours worked out as well has his did. That was 20 years ago and it was a blessing!
I would look for a company that has done work for senior citizens and handicapped people before. It is essential that you have a grab bar too. I would also sit in the shower and have the contractor measure so that the height is right for you.
I agree with everyone about checking with a specialist that installs for mostly seniors and maybe ask if you can see 2 or 3 of their recent jobs.
There may be nursing homes with installations like this because these are so easy for seniors and disabled to use. Make some calls and see if they will let you take a look at one of theirs. They should be glad to tell any problems they have had or what causes problems for their people.
This is an expensive conversion so I'm glad to see that you want to get it right; everyone has different needs so I hope you can find what suits you best.
