Three Ways To Make Everyday Life Easier When Caring For A Parent Who Needs A Wheelchair
Posted on: 9 November 2016
It can be very difficult to deal with an elderly parent who has health problems. If they happen to be in a wheelchair, then you're going to have even more problems to deal with. Namely the logistics of helping them move around the home and issues related to transport.
Make The Entryway Wheelchair Accessible
The most obvious thing to take care of is the entryway to the house. You will need to install a ramp. You can either get a permanent wooden or metal ramp installed, or you can purchase a temporary telescoping ramp. The temporary ramp can be installed right away, so this is a good solution if you don't have the money to hire contractors to come and build a permanent ramp.
Bathroom Considerations
The bathroom is the room in the house that you have to really focus on. You will need to widen the door in order to allow the wheelchair to fit in. Also, you will need to have the toilet seat raised, and have special hand bars installed on the walls that will help your parent grab on and secure themselves. Finally, the shower or tub will need to be addressed. There are special showers and tub combinations that are designed for people who use wheelchairs. You can speak with an ADA compliance counselor to get help with choosing the proper shower installation.
Wheelchair Conversion For Your Minivan
Lastly, it's important for you to retrofit your minivan so that it can transport your parent comfortably in their wheelchair. If you've had to struggle with lifting your parent into the car, then folding up the wheelchair and stowing it in the rear of the van, then you know how tiresome it can be. It's also dangerous to try and lift your parent out of the chair by yourself. The solution is to get a wheelchair conversion kit for your minivan. You can get a mechanic to install the kit, so don't worry if you are not mechanically inclined. The conversion kit will allow you to just roll the wheelchair into the van using a ramp. Another aspect of the conversion process is the removal of the rear seats, This is so that the chair can sit comfortably in the van. There will be safety devices installed that will lock the wheelchair in place so that it doesn't roll around the van while you're driving your parent to a medical appointment or to go shopping.
For assistance, talk to a professional like Lone Star Handicap Vans.
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