My 95 year old mother with dementia is "rocking" the toilet from the floor bolts. When she moves to get up (and yes, she has a bar to grab on the wall next to the toilet) or move forward so I can clean her, she waddles back and forth so now the toilet is no longer connected correctly. Plumber will need to do some special welding of the flange and ring, and put a heavier-duty toilet in, $800 bill to fix!!! Has anyone ever had this happen? How did you solve it? What kind of toilet do you think would work best? It's the only bathroom, and considering that my bathroom looks more and more like a hospital toilet, I am not adding more crazy contraptions.
If your mom is 95, I'm guessing you're 65 or better. It sounds like you're doing a lot of very hands-on, physical caregiving. Maybe it's time for AL for mom. Don't risk your own body. If mom shifts her weight suddenly or you twist your body in an awkward way, you're in for a long recovery and maybe never getting back to full function. You'll be no good to her and you won't be able to have any of the long, happy senior years your mom has had.
The toilet can be pulled and a new wax seal installed for about $75.00. There is probably nothing wrong with the toilet, it will be reinstalled with new bolts. Then get her a higher toilet seat https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/essential-medical-elongated-toilet-seat-riser/ID=prod6095622-product?ext=msnKBM_PLA_-_Home_Medical&kpid=sku6085958&sst=c3ff841e-19b0-403b-bc7d-f2a0e39c78b2&msclkid=43437f05ff2019afed7323060129621f
Good luck to you.
OK, so I know I am supposed to not care as long as she is happy and safe. But my surroundings have always affected my temperament and mood--I need a calm, quiet, beautiful house. Am I going to have to go back on antidepressants to get by? Maybe it's time to move her to a facility.
But thank you all for trying to help me.
The bars that she grabs onto should be placed at the right distance and the right angle. In some cases you might want to stick two bars, parallel to one another to allow her pull herself up, one step at a time. I have three bars in one bathroom Two directly in front of me and one on my weak side. In another bathroom, I have only one bar and that one is on my strong side. Your mother has to be there to work with you to determine the exact position and angle that works best for her.
Fixing the rocking toilet is only necessary maintenance. It will not help her to stand. Proper installation of the grab bars will mitigate your mother's problem of going from a sitting position to a standing position.
On the expense. The commode in my aunts bath began to leak around the base, like the seal was broken. A plumber was called who wanted to charge $400 to reinstall two commodes. Her commodes weren't worn. This was not replacing the commodes but there was a "flange" discussion. We had him fix the seal while I thought about the repair.
Meanwhile, Aunt was stuffing the commode with tissue and causing additional problems, I was referred to a different plumber by the city who came for this problem. Cleaned all the lines, did the flange work and adjusted a sink all for $250. I would get a second opinion before paying $800. That might be a good price but it doesn't hurt to shop it.
You aren't going to be able to get you mom to stop rocking. I'd try to get one of the options recommended to assist her.
What I would love to have is one of the trapeze bars they use in hospitals over the bath tub.
I can get in and lie down for a good soak but trying to get out is the fight of my life so I only tried that once. So the tub is out and that leaves the shower. I am too unsteady on my feet to just stand there snd soap up so my solution has been to sit on a shower chair with an hand held shower so I have a sponge shower but at least I can get washed and do it independently.
I won't go into the public toilet fiasco.
Your plumber may be talking about one with a wider base to increase stability.
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