My parents moved to an independent living facility closer to me in August. They have not been able to visit my home because we do not have high toilets and there are two steps that they would have to go up to get to either one of them. My mom cannot get up the two steps without a railing and she has to have a high toilet. We do not currently have the money to fix this problem. Dad wants to visit, but can’t leave Mom that long. Any ideas?
If dad really really really wants to come to the house, hire a sitter for mom so he can make the visit.
A couple people could probably help her up the two steps if she rarely visits. Unless you're talking about two flights of steps?
Otherwise just have dad visit, or visit during outings away from your home that are accessible to both parents.
I wound up going to the ALF to celebrate Christmas with the folks that year and we had a very nice time. The chef made a lovely meal and my DH and I gave the folks gifts, etc. It all turned out well and there was no stress or anxiety on anyone's part.
If it's your folks who want to come visit you at your home, you've gotten a couple of good suggestions for how to remedy that situation.
Best of luck!
As to the steps, are they free standing or adjacent to a wall? If the latter, are either of you skilled enough to add a railing? You need to have some basic carpentry skills as the railing needs to be secure enough to hold the weight of someone leaning on it.
An alternative is to try to find an organization to help, although I think it's more likely that that help would be offered to someone who lives in a home that needs adaptive devices. You could check with a local Methodist church; in some areas they do that kind of charitable work.
Habitat for Humanity is another that does, but I haven't found them to be very reliable just in terms of what they really do. I get different answers, and they've been inconsistent with the solicitation materials.
You could also contact your local city's building department and ask for recommendations for someone to do the railing work. My city used to be very helpful, but in later years it's become useless to offer these kind of suggestions.
However, ask whether or not they get HUD funds for improvements.
How high is the distance between the two floor levels? Is there enough hallway to allow a ramp? You need 1 foot per inch of rise for an ADA compliant ramp used with a walker or wheelchair, although many seniors can easily walk up a ramp with only 1 foot per 2-3 inches of rise. Even with a ramp, you really need to install a handrail. Temporary ramps can be constructed of wood with very basic carpenter/handyman skills. There are also aluminium folding ramps available for under $500 new and much less used from yard sales or sites like ebay. One advantage of the folding ramp is the same ramp can serve two purposes. Once at the entrance and then setup inside the home after your parents enter.
We can no longer bring my FIL to our house for holidays. He is no longer able to stand and is completely in a wheelchair so we see him at his facility.
I would see Medicare will pay for any of these ideas. Commodes are covered. If not Medicare, some supplimentals pay for durable equipment. Maybe your Dad can get a riser or Commode. Even though he or Mom is not using them they are being used for them.
I agree, a railing should not cost alot. Maybe Dad would pay to have it done.
If you have a sort of private area to place the potty chair, they won't have to climb any stairs. Dump it immediately and there won't be any smells.
These are considerations I had to take with my mother. They have helped.
Home depot has inexpensive wheelchair ramps for doors. High toilet seats can be paid for with medicare/medicaid within some medical supply stores.
Presently we are borrowing a cane and transport wheel chair.
DL
There are also bedside commodes and you can remove the "bucket" and place the framework over the toilet. This will give her the seat, the height she needs as well as support when she stands.
A small ramp could be built to go over the stairs, they can be removed when not needed and it could be moved from one set of stairs to another.