Thank you for those who made suggestions on my other thread. Wanted to put this out there to all -- what things should I do to get ready to bring my Mom home (either hers, or mine)? She's more chair than walker right now. Nothing is senior-proof. I can think of: 1. temporary ramp, 2. HCH aide, all day, 3. bathroom stuff (raised toilet), grab bars, shower seat), 4. grab bars for other parts of house. Is there anything else?
She has Medicare and BCBS -- will those pay for PT and a VN, or anything else?
Thanks for any thoughts!
Label light switches, remote, TV on off etc to make her life easier.
Turn down hot water heater to prevent scalding.
Good luck.
A means of summoning help, like a wireless door bell, whistle or baby monitor.
Drinking vessels that are light enough for her to handle. if she eats really slowly a heated plate so her food does not get too cold to be appetizing. Toilet paper that is easy for her to reach. I sure there are lots of other things.
Safety-proofing tip: walk your mother's routes around the house, acting wobbly as if you might fall at any time. That way you'll catch sight of trip hazards, slippery rugs and rug edges, furniture that proves too flimsy to lean on, sharp corners, flexes, light switches out of safe reach - all the things that otherwise are only obvious once the damage is done..! For installing the grab handles and things, again pretend you're her height, with her reach and her grip; then you'll see where they need to be for her to reach and hold them naturally.
You can extend this to acting out other routines, too; showering, washing, taking her meals and so on.
If the chair will be a feature for long, clear things you don't need for the duration right out of the way - box them up, put them in the spare room, garage, anywhere. It'll save hours of fiddling about moving stuff when you're trying to manoeuvre the chair at the same time.
Can you check the policy covers online?
It's great you're doing this in advance - it'll save so much trial and error. Wish her welcome home. x