Activities for home bound seniors...give me your ideas!
christmasbaby
15 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (35)
christmasbaby
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Help me with your ideas~~
Comments (8)Use undercounter carts instead of cabinets, especially in the kitchen [when in a wheelchair, one can usually only reach the first 8" to 12" of a low shelf]. If the carts are finished on one end with a cabinet-type door to face outwards, no one will even be able to tell that you've made such a convenient decision. Sliding shelves are a good alternate, but very expensive in comparison. A refrigerator that has a bottom freezer is far more convenient than the usual top-freezer. Keep in mind that sinks are a PIA for the wheelchair bound. (To see what I mean, sit in a dining room chair with a thick pillow on your lap and then try to wash dishes!) You don't have to start with a convenient w/c height sink-counter, but have the plumbing installed to the rear and the sink in a separate cabinet should it need to be lowered at a later date. Consider that a toilet will need handbars on both sides -- don't skimp on the space now. It also should be accessible from the front, that means there should be enough floor space to turn the wheelchair to face the commode. Grab bars for the shower/tub should be part of the building process now, because they need to be installed into the studs behind the tile or wallboard. Yes you can do them later but the cost will be considerably more. Mirrors, and the lighting for them, are different when you are sitting down. Try make installed mirrors go from counterheight up, and make the lighting adjustable heightwise as well as in luminosity. A chair lift which uses the rail area is available (and not outrageously expensive) for stairways. A flat landing [spacious enough for the wheelchair] is required at the top and the bottom of the steps. I recommend making any steps wider than average, but check with the manufacturer's requirements. Remember that the lift needs electricity and will be useless if the power goes off during a storm unless you have a generator backup. It cannot be emphasized enough to have at least two exits usable (two choices are safer than one in event of fire); one of those should be from the bedroom. Carolyn53562 gives the average ratios for ramps, but let me tell you that when pushing a wheelchair, even a 1:16 ramp is STEEP. If one expects to use an electric-powered chair, all access-ways usually need extra width. As said before, all shelves need to be reachable while sitting down. This means about double the usual storage space is required for everything from linen closets to the pantry....See MoreActivities for elderly. Ideas needed
Comments (37)What an article. I am over-whelmed at the moment. It has hit very very close to home. My Dad was in much the same condition/mental state for 6 months before he died and I was his caregiver. I moved to FL to live with Mom and Dad and take care of him. His dementia was brought on by something a pd caregiver did/gave him . She had been in their home for 1 month. She and her spouse were attempting to get my Dad to sign checks behind Mom's back. By the time Mom realized what was going on and my DB and I got there all was lost. Except for the horror and the bills the incompetent medical community that we had to deal with. My only fault with the article is his ending. There is nothing you can do personally that will hasten your own end except suicide. If you decided to do this while you are still able then so be it. But...if you wait...ah...then who will you designate to carry out your wishes. Will they ? When will be the right time ? Tomorrow...OK...what if it is a good day ? See what you are facing. Hubris ...that is what is at work . Thank you Gold for a powerful thread and roselvr for an eye opening article. And the writer, thank you. Here is a link that might be useful: Hubris...See MoreActivity ideas needed for 20 mo. old
Comments (8)Your older daughters main problem may just be that you have to spend so much time with your newborn and can't spend it with her like you did. She may just have to get used to the big changes that occured in her life recently. Has your daughter been able to entertain herself or she one of the types of kids that needs someone to play with? I guess I've been lucky with DS because he pretty much has always been able to entertain himself even if I was busy. He's now almost 3 and he always is playing some type of pretend game or watching some thing on TV or a movie or plays computer games. He also likes to color and paint when I'm doing crafts. Could the answer to your problems be to include her more in what you are doing with the baby or around the house? Like ask her to help or just allow her to help. Sometimes DS will get a chair and help me prepare dinner. All he may want to do is stir and yes he may make a little mess but he's so proud and happy to help that we don't care. Your 20 month old is approaching 2 and then it gets pretty fun because they start communicating more and are able to ask and tell you what they want. It's also pretty hilarious to hear some of the things they come up with. This is the time to teach them things. They love to learn, even if it's just by giving them a cloth and having her help you dust, you could make her day tons of fun. Also as it gets nicer you'll be able to take your daughters outside. You can go for walks and go to the park or whatever in your area. Even just playing in your own yard can be tons of fun for little ones. Good luck. Things will get easier as your little ones get older. Once your baby doesn't need you so much, you will have more time for the older one and things like that. Newborns are stressful themselves without having other younger children to deal with. I guess that's why I've held off this long to get the second one. I still can't wait some days and other days I'm so glad I did! LOL ~Leslie~...See MoreNeed ideas to keep active dog inactive
Comments (21)Nancy, it's going OK. I didn't get around to post an update because we spend all weekend at a soccer tournament. Spot is settling into the routine of just being allowed out to do his business and coming right back. We went to the vet Sat. morning and he had another acupuncture treatment. We discussed surgery options and decided to try a brace first. It will be custom made and support the joint and give the muscles time to strengthen around the joint. It is kind of hard to describe, but I will post pictures after we get it. It will be probably a little over a week. It is designed by a "human" orthopedic surgeon who had a blown acl on his dog and was less than thrilled with the surgery result. I was asking the vet about TPLO and the other surgery and he recommended not doing the TPLO. He said that it has been advertised as the best thing to prevent arthritis later on, but people are finding out that the first dogs with it are getting arthritis now (6-7 years later) anyway. The vet tech told me that the had the ligament connecting surgery done on a couple of her dogs and they are doing just as well as dogs she knows with the TPLO. But we are not at that point at the moment and are taking a more conservative approach. I'm having a hard time to convince my husband to even do anything less alone surgery. He thinks it is just a dog and when he grew up they just put them down when something like that happened. Over my dead body, is all I can say. Here is Spot sharing his new pillow with one of the cats. A few minutes before both cats had been laying with him. And he is not overweight, he just looks like it in this picture. Katharina...See Moreshambo
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoc9pilot
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agostargazzer
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agochristmasbaby
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agocraftyc
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agopfllh
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agosissyfran
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agochristmasbaby
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agolauren-rn
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agotelly2
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agonan_nc
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agochristmasbaby
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoshambo
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agochristmasbaby
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agomariend
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoymaddox
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agocearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agolondondi
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agolise22
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agocobram_comcast_net
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoPartner in Care
8 years agoJan Brown
7 years agomaifleur01
7 years agoSuzieque
7 years ago4thumbs
6 years agomaifleur01
6 years ago4thumbs
6 years agokryslatham
6 years agoCA Kate z9
6 years ago4thumbs
6 years agohcnevils
6 years agoUser
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agokitasei
6 years ago
Related Stories
DECORATING GUIDESLarge-Scale Pieces Give Small Rooms Massive Style
Work bigger elements into a diminutive space and watch its design cred grow by leaps and bounds
Full StoryGRAYChoosing Color: Give Me More Gray Days
Layer On the Grays for a Sophisticated Look in Any Room
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESBring in da Funk: How Humble Touches Give a Home Soul
Shake up expectations and stir up interest with pieces that show patina, create contrast or offer a jolt of surprise
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESGive This Style the Old College Try
10 ways to evoke the collegiate aesthetic at home, from subtle to seriously fanatical
Full StoryGuest Picks: Give Your Home a Helping of Spring Greens
Celebrate garden growth with this collection of housewares and gardening gear in the shades of budding plants
Full StoryHouzz Call: What Gives You the Creeps at Home?
Halloween horror got nothing on your basement, attic or closet? Show us that scary spot you steer clear of
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDES13 Ways to Give Your Home a Garden-Inspired Look
Outdoor elements like trellises, antique tools, slate and garden gates have a special place indoors
Full Story11 Ways to Give Your Home Schoolhouse Charm
Homes Go Back to School With Chunky Clocks, Chalkboard, Retro Globes and Lockers
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSNew Hardware Gives Doors a Turn for the Better
New project for a new year: Get a handle on how to find the knobs, levers or pulls that will make your doors memorable
Full StorySponsored
c9pilot