- Aug 26, 2010 by retirelife
By Terri Corcoran
I married Vince in April 1999. It was a second marriage for us both – I was 48 and he was 64. We weren’t exactly in the robust years of our youth, but we were both healthy, or so I thought. A month after our wedding, Vince fell down while playing golf. At the time, no reason could be found for the fall. He would have more occasional, unexplained falls as time went on, and would develop apathy and lethargy that led me to doubt that he really cared about me.
For the first five years of our marriage, we went to five neurologists. We finally, in 2004, got the diagnosis of Fragile X Tremor Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS), a genetic neurodegenerative condition which was not even identified by medical research until 2001. I was thrilled to have a diagnosis, but my caregiving had already become a full-time job. Vince was no longer able to walk without help, as he had no balance and not much coordination. He was incontinent (bowels and bladder), and I had to make the acquaintance of adult diapers. Worst of all, his brilliant mind (he had been a laser scientist with a Ph.D.) was becoming severely impaired as the messenger RNA in his brain cells became toxic.
Because Vince’s mind did not work, I could not safely leave him alone at all, so I had to leave my job to be with him 24/7. My new “lifestyle” consisted of taking care of all of Vince’s personal needs, developing a care plan since doctors did not know enough about this new syndrome to offer much advice other than “it will keep getting worse,” making sense of his financial affairs – which was a pile of nightmares resulting from years (even before our marriage, which I did not realize) of his mind slowly losing its executive abilities. I also had to practically reconstruct his horror of a house, which I had moved into with his promise that we would fix it up, but he couldn’t get his mind or body together to do anything. In addition to the never-ending home repairs, I had to add a wheelchair ramp, stair lifts and a handicapped bathroom. Instead of buying new furniture to replace his stuff from the 1950’s (yes, really – the ‘50’s!), I bought an assortment of canes and walkers, a transport chair, an easy-lift recliner, and whatever else I could find to make life any easier.
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- Aug 24, 2010 by retirelife
Shower remodel - Photo courtesy of Miguel Espinoza
By Miguel Espinoza
When it comes to privacy and living independently, having a safe, functional and accessible bathroom assumes top priority. Bathroom modifications are helpful to both caregivers and recipients, providing more freedom and safety.
Applying simple changes to your home can create a more comfortable and accessible lifestyle without the heartache and financial issues that often arise when considering assisted living options. Although today’s focus is on improving independence within your bathroom, several of these modifications are useful in other rooms throughout your home as well.
Here are five constructive ways to increase independence and safety in your bathroom:
- Doorway Expansions are a great way to increase mobility around the house, especially for those using a wheelchair, walker or scooter.
- Walk-in Showers help prevent falls caused by getting in and out of a bathtub or having to step into a shower. Walk-in showers allow for more balance and stability while bathing.
- Shower Safety Seats make showering a more relaxing routine. Especially when paired with an expandable showerhead, the safety seat helps one avoid the slippery shower floor and prevents injury from falling.
- Safety Grab Bars are an essential addition to any bathroom, providing stability and assistance in areas like the shower or near the toilet.
- Lowered sinks and countertops create a more accessible environment and encourage a more independent hygiene routine, enabling one to reach items on the countertop as well as the sink faucets.
Remember, modifications done inside your home do not have to be obtrusive or “hospitalized”; there are many ways to keep a sleek and stylish bathroom with these safe and functional updates. For example, safety grab bars can blend in with the style of your bathroom to be both aesthetically appealing and useful.
Whether the job is a simple door expansion or a total bathroom remodel, home modification is a great step towards a more independent and less stressful lifestyle for everyone involved.
About the Author: Miguel Espinoza is a general contractor in southern Arizona with over 30 years of building experience. As owner of Cienaga Canyon Contractors, Miguel specializes in handicap and independent living home renovations and complete home construction. Miguel is happy to answer any questions and can be contacted by email at Miguel@remodelbymiguel.com; more information can also be found on his website at http://www.rehabremodelaz.com.
- Aug 24, 2010 by retirelife
By Joan Wright
As I sat in the back of the room, listening to the stories of caregivers about whom I was to write an article, I realized to my surprise that they were talking about me! Not me, specifically, but the role I had been playing without even realizing I was – the role of a caregiver. I, too, could recall countless trips escorting my parents to and from an assortment of doctors’ appointments, trying to coordinate medications and dietary needs, assisting with household duties that became more cumbersome for them, and becoming the designated driver for trips that involved highway travel. Despite my professional role in developing programs and services for elders and caregivers, I was now facing a critically different reality as a family caregiver – everything changes when it’s your own parents.
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