Heating a bathroom Independent Living Facility: Mom is cold!

My bug-bears about bathroom heating include strong exhaust fans that turn on automatically with the light, and the overhead light/heating lamp that boils the top of your head and does nothing for your lower body. I go for a time-limit exhaust fan that you turn on as you leave, a wall-mounted radiant heater aimed at the body, and a fluffy rug on the floor. OK the rug may need replacing every three or four years, but it’s worth it.

My mom's independent Living apartment had it's own temperature control panel, similar to what one has in a hotel room. She was able to keep her unit a toasty 80+ degrees at all times. The bathroom was heated by this unit as well.

In a private home, your mother can't control the thermostat. So moving to an IL apartment where she CAN crank up the heat may be a big plus for her.

I'm a strong advocate of no rinse products, which could be used regularly, and full immersion showers or baths less frequently.    She can use the no rinse shampoo or soap products while seated in her room (door locked and "no entry" sign temporarily to assure privacy).   Complete disrobing isn't necessary, so the cold factor is mitigated.

These products are used in hospitals and various in-facility living arrangements, and work well.  I've used them, and resort to them when it's just too cold for immersion bathing.

This is what I brought home after a hospitalization; it works very well for me.  

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/remedy-phytoplex-cleanser-no-rinse-foam/ID=prod6309595-product?ext=gooKBM_PLA_-_Personal_Care_(2019_Update)&pla&adtype=pla&kpid=sku6261558&sst=_k_EAIaIQobChMIlMHXroyO5wIVhcDACh3GrAM6EAQYBCABEgJ0Z_D_BwE_k_&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlMHXroyO5wIVhcDACh3GrAM6EAQYBCABEgJ0Z_D_BwE

I don't remember which brand I used for shampoo, and I've "temporarily" misplaced (i.e., lost) it.

Have her run the shower for a few minutes with the door closed before she gets in. It will be like a sauna in there.
My Mom IL apartment did have light/heater combo in the ceiling. You may want to check on that.

Ask if mom can have a week's trial. That way she will be assured that she will be warm in the bathroom. Will they allow you to bring in a heated towel rack?

So... how cold is the bathroom at the ILF? How is it heated? There may already be heated towel rails or underfloor heating or something similar fitted. Can't the facility answer questions like this about technical specifications? They may be able to set your mother's mind at rest.

Ask the facility if the bathroom overhead light and/or vent can be replaced with a unit that includes a heater at your cost. Overhead heaters are very good at quickly heating a small bathroom and because they are in the ceiling have few of the risks associated with space heaters.

If room heaters are a no-no, and I can see why they would be---how about starting the shower a few minutes BEFORE she gets in? The room is probably small and would warm up those cold tiles pretty quickly. Also, what's the situation with floor mats? A thick one with a non skid backing as large as the room can handle may take a little of the chill off.

Recently I saw and ad (and take this for what it's worth, it was on FB) for a very small WALL heater unit that just plugs into the wall and heats just a small space. Wonder if that would be admissible? I'd buy one and check it out first, but it has no chance of being tripped over or falling over. That might be all she'd need.

Add to the above the fluffiest, warmest bathrobe you can lay hands on. I know my mom balks at showering, too, she gets so cold b/c she moves so slow and her place is always at 80, all year long.

And, ask the facility, MOST elderly people do not like a cold bathroom, so this can't be the first client who had issues with this.

Does she keep the bathroom door open so the heat from the rest of the apartment can heat it as well? I know how unpleasant showering or bathing in a cold bathroom can be. Check for drafts and if there is a window in there, be sure to check for drafts from the window as well. Ask if a ceiling exhaust combo with a heater or heat lamp would be doable. They aren’t as dangerous as a space heater.