Use the simple Holiday light wireless remote in bigger and better ways

The simple and inexpensive wireless remote many of us use to light holiday decorations can be used to help seniors or people with disabilities in many every day activities.  Most of us use these remotes to avoid going out in the cold for our exterior lights or to avoid crawling under the Christmas tree.  Imagine for a minute, what life is like for a person who has difficulty handling light switches, phones, tv remotes, or thermostats due to disabilities. What you can accomplish with a tool like the wireless remote then moves from convenience to necessity.

Devices very similar to the wireless remote available in hardware stores everywhere for less than $25 could be a powerful life-changing tool.   Electronic Aids to Daily Living or EADL are what these devices are called when used by a person with a disability to achieve a greater level of independence at home, school, work, or in recreation.  EADL range from the generic and fairly simple, such as devices that use existing household electrical system with  plug in receivers and transmitters like X-10 http://www.x10pro.com, to the specialized and often complex devices that operate a wide variety of electric/battery operated equipment such as Quartet technology http://www.qtiusa.com.  EADLs enable people to do things like operate emergency call equipment, open doors, operate telephones, control lights, fans, TVs, or audio systems.

A person with very limited physical abilities would benefit from a professional assessment of their goals and skills as well as practice with the equipment in order to make sure they get something that will actually work for them.  Not all therapists are experienced in EADL to make these assessments, but we are lucky enough in our area to have some professionals and clinics that do.  Give us a call if you are looking for referrals. You can also search the  Equipment portion of the Assistive Technology website in Nebrasksa www.at4all.com and the Assistive Technology website in Iowa www.iowacompass.org.

Whatever you do, don’t let the name EADL frighten you away from doing simple, common sense adaptations though.  What a powerful safety tool, something as simple as a wireless remote could be for an older person who would like to turn lights on in the path to the bathroom at night.

So share the news and share the video.  You can use everyday items like a holiday wireless remote to improve independence and safety for people you love.

What am I going to do while I’m waiting for the water to drain?

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A common misconception is that having to drain a walk in tub while you sit in it is a problem.   People frequently tell me that they would get a walk in tub, but they don’t want to sit in the water while the tub is draining.

Just as a walk in tub is a little different than a standard tub, the technique to use the walk in tub is a little different than the technique for a standard tub.  With a standard tub, a person can leap right up from a full tub of water and step over the side and out.  Part of the valuable door seal system on the Best Bath Systems, Inc. tub relies on the pressure from the water in the tub, so you do need to drain the water from the tub before you open the door.  The walls are high so you can sit at a comfortable height and stand with little effort.  The primary reason most folks consider a walk in tub in the first place is that they can’t, or don’t want to, clamber up off the floor of the tub and climb over a 15” plus high tub wall.  If you are buying a new tub intending to avoid getting in and out of it “the same old way”, learning a new technique to use it really isn’t a big deal.

The beauty of bathing in a walk in tub is that a person can both soak and rinse the soaking water off while sitting in the same place.  I teach people to get in and sit on the pre-heated seat. Then they fill the tub and enjoy their soak whether they enjoy still water, air jets, and/or water jets.  Why would they buy a great soaking tub if they didn’t really enjoy a good soak?  They start bathing and rinsing when they are finished soaking and just about ready to get out. Though the rate the water drains depends upon the waste lines in the home, most folks finish up washing and rinsing just as the last of the water is gone.  Then there is no waiting at all.  They just get up, open the door, and safely step out and on their way.

Give us a call or email us if you have questions about walk in tubs.  If you are interested in treating yourself to a sensuous and safe soaking experience for the upcoming holidays you are in luck!  We are providing $500 off on an upgrade to water or air jets on any of the Best Bath Systems, Inc.  walk in tubs ordered through December 18th, 2012.

What Keeps the Water in a Flat Shower?

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Roll in showers for people who use wheelchairs come in many shapes and sizes.  A good roll in shower slopes gently toward the drain which helps direct the water away from the sides of the shower.  With larger showers you have more space to collect and control water.  Good slope and water control accessories become more critical with narrower showers.  I’ve seen some showers that are built with mini thresholds which the contractor was convinced was necessary to keep water from flowing out of the shower, but those thresholds can be difficult to push a shower chair over.   Most of the showers we’ve been involved with lately have been remodeling projects in which the size of the new shower is limited to the size of the tub or shower we are replacing.  Water control is critical.  Our preferred method is the water control system available from Best Bath Systems, Inc. to provide as low a threshold as possible with maximum water control.

The Best Bath water stopper is a T-shaped rubber water dam that provides a flexible threshold.   The threshold is easily rolled over and then pops back up.   The sides are held in place with a curved end piece.  Water dams without this end piece tend to pull away from the sides of the shower.  Since water can pool or get sprayed toward these areas it is critical to have a water tight joint at this point.

The water stopper is fantastic, simple as it is, but it really is only half of the system, especially in a narrow shower.   In a 30-34” inch deep shower such as one that replaces a bath tub, there are several forces at work that can lead to water being dripped or sprayed outside of the shower.  The key is the curtain.  Even with a weighted curtain, it is easy for air currents generated by the shower or water spraying on the curtain, to make the curtain to billow past the water stopper.  Water drips down the curtain outside of the stopper and onto the floor.  Best Bath Systems supplies a vinyl curtain, which in addition to being staph, mildew, and fungus resistant is thick and stiff.  I specify the version that is 74” long and allow it to drape and touch or even drag the floor of the shower slightly inside the water stopper.  This creates a “wall” to help hold the water inside the shower where it belongs.   Clients can hang decorative curtains on the same shower rings and use this durable white curtain as a liner that will last for years.

Narrow roll in showers need all the space possible, so built in thresholds make maneuvering difficult and decrease useable space.   You may still need some techniques to keep your shower chair from dripping on the floor, but you can control most of the water in a roll in shower with the right system of flexible threshold and shower curtain.  Give us a call if you need some help deciding what sizes will be best for you.

Click here for shower curtain specifications. >>

Click here for water stopper specifications. >> 

Helping To Make The Lives of Our Community Members Better – One Person at a Time

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At Home Access Solutions, we have the pleasure of meeting many individuals that need help in finding the right balance of living comfortably while functioning in everyday life at the same time. We pride ourselves in providing our clients with solutions that do just that – work to make their lives better. But we can’t do it alone and we certainly can’t take all the credit.

Today, I’ve introduced two people on the video blog, each bringing unique yet very powerful, life-changing aspects to residential accessibility and the general betterment of people’s daily lives. First, Jason Williams joins us from Best Bath Systems – a company dedicated to providing barrier-free solutions for people that have difficulty using standard baths and showers. He will be teaching local contractors how to make bathrooms safer for people that live there. Afterwards, Best Bath Systems will very generously donate the shower used to demonstrate safety during the class. Rebuilding Together will then be able to use that shower in one of the homes they will be improving in our community right here in Omaha.

Also today, I would like to introduce you to the wonderful folks at Rebuilding Together. With me in the video, I have Tom from the Omaha Chapter of Rebuilding Together. The organization has a unique and very beneficial service offered in that volunteers from our communities are coordinated to help others in their own communities. These volunteers help to make living in one’s home better – working to improve living conditions for those that need it. With today’s donation, Rebuilding Together will contribute to making one more family, one more home – safer and healthier.

Both of these organizations are pivotal to improving the lives of others and we at Home Access Solutions are proud to be affiliated with them! I encourage you to visit their websites for more information on what they offer and their achievements.

Remember, as I mentioned in my video – in a sea of negative news happening all around us, it’s important to note the good things too. They are, after all, a large part of what makes the world go around...

Making an Informed Decision About Accessability

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An uninformed decision when you are doing accessibility remodeling or any bathroom remodeling can cost you.  Look at the difference between these two shower wall samples.  You don’t have to be an experienced contractor or plumber to see the difference in quality and durability.   Can you imagine that anyone who was truly educated on the pros and cons of each of these products would choose to put the thin walled one in their home or their parent’s home?  This type of shower or tub surround product gets it strength from being molded into curves creating air pockets between the surround and the wall that make adding grab bars a challenge and sometimes nearly impossible.  The surround from Best Bath Systems is one of my favorites.  It combines durability and beauty and is easy for building professionals to work with.  I think that people end up with the other type of product because they don’t know about their options.  Maybe the people they are buying products from don’t know about all the options.   I also know that people often make choices based only on the initial cost of a product.  They don’t take into account the cost down the road of making changes or of fixing problems.  This is truly unfortunate, especially in situations where people plan to stay in their homes for the rest of their lives or when people know they may have changing needs due to a disability.  

Actually, people make choices about accessibility all too often without all the information they need as well.  Did you know for instance that you can put a barrier free shower in the same spot as a tub?  Did you know that you don’t always have to cut the joists of your home to put in a roll in shower pan?  If you think you may want a roll in shower in the future, but you aren’t really sure, you can have a walk in shower that converts to a roll in without additional major construction?   You see what I mean?  There’s a lot for consumers, therapists, and building professionals to know when making that initial decision about which products to use.

I will always be glad to come to your home or clinic and talk about great products and access designs, but here’s another way you can learn more so you can make educated decisions for yourself and the people you care for.  Best Bath Systems is making one of their mobile demo units available to us here in Nebraska.  We are holding Best Bath Systems Open Houses in Omaha, Lincoln, and Hastings September 12^th and 13^th.   You can visit, see a walk in tub and some barrier free showers.  Our national representative Jason and I will be there to answer your questions.  Registration is not required, but pre-registration will make you eligible for a great coupon and our drawings.  

Here are locations for two events:

September 12, 1:30-3:00 at the Disabled American Veteran’s McArthur Post #2  4515 F St., Omaha, NE 

 September 13, 1:30-3:00 at Kulley Pipe and Steel  500 W. South St. Hastings, NE

We are setting up others at local rehabilitation facilities and agencies.  Call us for locations

We are also holding contractor training sessions with the Best Bath Installation trainer in Omaha and Hastings.  Seating is limited for this opportunity and registration is required. If you know someone who works with bathrooms, let them know.  402-291-9514.

So share the news and share the video.  Making decisions about bathroom remodeling projects without information about all the options can cost you a lot down the road.  Work with knowledgeable people and learn about the options available to you before you begin.

For a flyer click here! >>

The Home Access Magic Wand

Sorry Virginia, there is no magic access wand.

Sometimes we can tell that we are disappointing the person standing in front of us at a health fair or talking to us on the phone. We are simply too responsible to attempt to solve their home accessibility answer without more information and usually without going to their home. Sometimes they’ve given long explanations of what is going on and what isn’t working, and we have listened. But even when they can accurately describe their abilities and what their home looks like, they are only able to give us their perspective of those things. 

While our client’s perspective is critical and plays a huge role in the recommendations we make, they deny themselves the benefit of our objectivity and experience over the years if they ask us to rely solely on their impressions. 

Here are a few reasons why a responsible access consultant won’t just attempt to solve problems for people without a good individual and on-site review:

1. There are accessibility guidelines that some people think can be used like a cookbook for access such as the Americans with Disability Accessibility Act Guidelines, but these are not designed to meet the personal need of every individual and they aren’t required in private residences unless they’ve been incorporated into a building code.

2. Every person is different from others and should be treated individually. Even two people with the same medical condition, same age, same size, and same sex, will have different goals, preferences and abilities.

3. Houses are very different from each other.

In short, there really is no notebook or cookbook that says what is exactly right for every person and we know there is really no such thing as accessibility magic wands so we have to rely on good old evaluation, knowledge about a multitude of options, and the experience to match those options with the individual’s needs. We feel like the best way to solve an access issue is to listen to a person to understand their goals and observe them in the environment they want to change. So if you give us a call with an access question, we really don’t want to disappoint you. Expect a thorough residential access answer to include a visit to you in your residence. 

If you want an objective, professional solution to your residential access problem, call us and set an appointment with one of our designers. We provide in-home assessments with no travel fee in the Greater Omaha, Nebraska area. All other areas in Nebraska and Iowa are possible with a travel fee. We will give you a firm estimate of your costs for consultation when you call to make an appointment.

Step Through, Not Over the Tub with Tubcut®

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Tubs are wonderful for soaking.  They also do a good job of containing water when they are used as a shower. So what’s not to love about a tub?

There is getting up off the floor of the tub for one thing.  If you aren’t able to get a foot up under yourself to stand you may be reduced to using your arms to lift your buttocks all the way to the side of the tub, or rolling over the side of the tub.   Seriously, does anyone think that is a fabulous idea?  At any rate, finding a way to soak in a tub and still get in and out safely is a discussion for another day.

Even if you don’t want to soak, you simply want to get inside the tub to shower, you still have to contend with the side of the tub.  We often increase safety by providing grab bars to support people while they lift their legs over the tub.  This works only if the person can comfortably and safely lift their foot up and over 15” or more on a potentially wet surface.   We can provide equipment like tub transfer benches so people can sit and then swing their legs over the side of the tub.  This works too, as long as the person can flex their hips and extend their knees enough for the job and if there aren’t obstructions like toilets to work around.   There are many things that accessibility designers like Home Access Solutions, Inc.  can do to help people get in and out of the tub without actually changing the tub.  Sometimes the tub itself is too big an obstacle to safety and 15” or more is just too much to ask people to handle.

Many of our clients need a shower, but a full blown remodel to replace their tub with a shower isn’t the best answer for them for one reason or another.   We have been recommending Tubcut®  as the option for these clients for years and making sure they were served well by the local dealer.   We are so excited that we were fortunate enough that at the time we were prepared to offer the service ourselves, the opportunity to work with the inventor Virginia Piper and obtain certification presented itself.   Home Access Solutions, Inc. will now offer Tubcut® in the same extended areas that we provide SureHands ceiling based lifts – All of Nebraska and the Western portion of Iowa.

Tubcut® is a process to convert a tub to a walk in shower by removing a portion of the sidewall.  The area is reinforced and sealed.  This can be done on any tub material and dimension as it is a customized process, not just a single piece slide on cover.   The Tubcut® is also unique in that the process can be reversed.   A homeowner or facility can save the piece that is cut out and we can restore the tub later for re-sale or a new tenant.   The basic kit is used with a shower curtain, but we can also convert a unit for use with shower doors.

Reducing the need for a person to lift their feet over 15 plus inches will dramatically reduce the risk of falling.  We can also add grab bars from our extensive collection to further increase safety when people step in and out.   Combine that with hand held showers and bath seats or tub transfer benches, and we can make sure that a person can shower very safely without worrying themselves or their families.   Tubcut® truly rounds out the options we can offer to help people increase safety and function with the everyday activity of bathing.

Traveling with Transfer Equipment

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Does a person who uses equipment for personal transfers at home need to do without their equipment when they travel? I know some people who do.  They are able to use less convenient methods or rely on more help from their caregivers as they vacation or spend time away from home for business. Other people with different abilities have told me that they restrict, or no longer travel because the effort to transfer is too great. Neither option, working harder than you do at home while traveling or simply giving up the ability to travel, seems great to me.

One solution for people who transfer well at home with transfer equipment is to combine a lift from SureHands Lift and Care Systems with an Ability Equipped  RV from Winnebago Industries.   One person who did this told me, “I’m taking my access with me.  I’m tired of relying on hit and miss with accessible hotel (rooms)”.

I caution you, you can’t just hang any lift in any RV. Typically  RVs aren’t built for accessibility or capable of supporting  ceiling based transfer systems.  Winnebago Industries offers so many accessibility options in their Ability Equipped RVs such as wheelchair lifts, conveniently located controls, roll in showers, and grab bars that allow people of all abilities to enjoy the RV experience. It’s only natural that they also offer  one of the most  reliable and versatile motorized personal transfer systems available as well.  The staff in the Specialty Vehicles division and I work together with the new RV owner to select the SureHands lift system.  I combine my experience as an Occupational Therapist with my training as a SureHands lift and Care Systems dealer to properly match the traveler’s needs and abilities with the Surehands motor, sling, or body support that will work best for them within the context of the vehicle’s specifications.  The professionals at Winnebago Industries tailor a structural system to incorporate the customer’s SureHands motor and track layout in the RV.  The end result is a motorized accessible home. This sounds like a better option for the vacation or business traveler than to make do with a difficult or unsafe transfer or give up traveling altogether. For more information visit www.winnebagoind.com and search for ability equipment vehicles, and visit www.Surehands.com. I will be glad to tell you more too! The road is calling!

Celebrate Personal Independence

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The Fourth of July is approaching.  This is the day that we citizens in the United States of America celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in which the 13 American Colonies declared themselves to be independent of the British Empire.  The premise was that the people had the right to pursue relief from Tyrannical rule.  My how the successful pursuit of that quest for independence changed the World!

The “World” I work in is a little smaller, but no less important to the people I work with.  I believe that inaccessible environments, especially in our homes, are a disabling tyrannical force facing millions of people.   Simply modifying these environments with equipment or modifications will allow people the opportunity to function safely and independently.

This month’s video shows the effect replacing a tub with a life time shower system by Best Bath, Inc. had on one family.  It returned showering to a private and safe daily activity.  Bathing no longer has to be a scheduled activity that the family works around, and frequent falls in the bathroom that required calls to the Fire Department for help were eliminated.  I strive for these results with every family we work with, but listening to this family as they graciously recorded this testimonial brought me to tears.  This, for me, is what personal independence is all about.

This was a bathroom remodel that did not increase the space of the bathroom because that would have decreased space in an adjacent bedroom.  We replaced the tub with an attractive, but low maintenance unit from Best Bath Systems, Inc.  We used a temporary threshold which can be removed if a roll in shower is needed in a few years.  We ordered a custom sized flip down seat to provide the depth and width to assist with sitting balance.  The grab bars have a non slip surface and are located to use the client’s strengths for independent transfers at the shower and toilet.  We suggested a seat type Bidet which rivals the new shower for “Best Feature” in this bathroom.  If you want to know more about the specific products we used or why we designed the placement of supports where we did, just give us a call.

So while you celebrate the Independence of this wonderful country, keep the value of our individual and personal independence in mind as well!  Home modifications help people who have disabilities from accidents, medical issues, or aging declare independence from the Tyranny of barriers in their homes and allows them the opportunity to live in their own homes safely.

What Makes Your Life Good?

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When you think about it, it’s never the big things that matter, it’s usually the little things that make our lives worthwhile.  And unless we can’t do those everyday things we tend to forget how significant they really are.  At Home Access Solutions, we are committed to enhancing the lives of our clients and we do it through three key services designed to make homes a sanctuary.  Watch my video to learn more about how we work to better lives!

Planning Ahead for Residential Accessibility Helps Make Every Day Living Easier

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If you’ve ever spent time with me you know that I practically preach residential accessibility and universal design.  I admit it, take up conversation with me and if you don’t want to talk about my children, you will eventually hear about toilets, doorways, and ramps.  I’m proud of this.  I am out to change the world one home at a time and I have been for years.  I believe your home affects the quality of your life!

The first home I had some impact on was a home my parents started building in 1982.  This was a home they planned to retire in and they also believed that they would be inviting my Father’s Mother to live with them.  I was new in my profession as an Occupational Therapist and working in a general out- patient rehab setting, but I knew enough to provide some basic information about wheelchair accessibility and they knew enough to incorporate it into their home design.  

Honestly they were more focused on my Grandmother’s needs and the likelihood she would use a wheelchair, but the features they added for her and the thought process they went through, as they thought about her needs and the possibility they might need them too, have turned out to be both useful and wonderful.

Their home was designed to support the way they liked to live of course. My mother is a great cook and the kitchen “is big enough to park a tractor in” according to the builder. The layout she chose incorporates a good work area layout as well as room for a variety of mobility devices.  Over the years, she has saved a lot of time and personal energy - she doesn’t have to carry things around while she is cooking. A person using a walker has been able to get in and out of the area.  Some changes would need to be made for a cook who uses a wheelchair, but the space to maneuver is already built in. They incorporated a huge sunny, office and craft room for their own pursuits as well as a open dining room and living room for entertaining. I couldn’t tell you how many gatherings both family and community are hosted in their home, because they have both the desire and the space to do it.


However, it was the decision to dedicate square footage to doorways, hallways, and bathrooms that has made the most difference as they experienced care giving for my grandfather who lived with them for a few years and as they have weathered medical issues themselves over the years. These are the things that it is expensive and sometimes difficult to add in later.


They have wider than average hall ways which allow for 3’ doorways and comfortable maneuvering from the hall through doors set to the side.  No one has ever had difficulty moving furniture in and out. My Grandfather, who didn’t see well could even negotiate the turns with his walker without running into the door frames too much. The difficulty he had was mostly from his vision and inattention.


The hall/guest bathroom has two locations large enough for a wheelchair to turn around in. This has been helpful for providing space for a caregiver to help a tall man using a walker, not to mention providing a comfortably large guest bathroom for visiting children with their children. They provided room to the side and the front of the toilet which gives room for maneuvering and transfers with a variety of mobility equipment. They chose to make the sink a roll under style and kept a wide enough counter top to provide a place to store commonly used items within reach. I’ve since learned some ways to start with a traditional sink cabinet and then inexpensively transition to a roll under style. The tub/shower is a standard fiberglass model as I didn’t know about any solid wall shower surrounds at the time. This has made it hard to add grab bars inside of the shower unfortunately.  Now I have several products I can offer people that will provide more flexibility for aging in place.  My parents  have used a bath seat and added a hand held shower.   Grab bars outside of the tub help with the step in and out over the tub wall.  There is room in front of the shower so a rectangular  walk in or roll in shower in the same spot as the existing tub/shower can be added if they would ever need it.


The exterior doors have no steps. This isn’t all that unusual for a ranch home in their area of the country, but they took pains to minimize the threshold. The porch is covered which is a universal design feature providing shelter to everyone as they work with keys or wait for someone to come to the door. The foyer inside is wide enough to provide room at the latch side of the door so that a person can stand to one side of the door and let it swing open past them. This is convenient for anyone, but critically important for a person with balance issues or a person using mobility equipment such as a wheelchair or walker.


My parent’s home is lovely and I love going home because they are there. I love that it has been a place where they have lived for over 30 years without having to worry when they needed to have my Grandfather join them for a few years and where they don’t have to worry themselves about barriers that would get in their way as they continue to live there. I am happy and I know that they are too, that they planned ahead for access when they built the house.

The SureHands Lift and Care Systems Body Support Can Help with Clothing Adjustments at the toilet

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It takes more than just getting into the room to be able to make use of the toilet.  You need to deal with your clothing as well.  What if you can’t stand up or balance while standing?  What if you are a caregiver for someone who depends upon you to transfer or move from one surface to another?

One solution is the SureHands Lift& Care System Body Support.  It can be used with any of the ceiling based or wall based motors.  Unlike many slings, the body support leaves the buttocks area clear during the secure transfer.  This makes this a great lift support for speedy, secure, and often independent transfers, but it is also great for clothing adjustments during toileting.

Once a person is positioned over the toilet, pants can be moved over the hips to the level of the body support.  This is easier with looser pants.  Individuals with sufficient hand strength and dexterity and  arm mobility may be able to do this themselves.  It is a relatively easy task for most caregivers.  Once the person is lowered to the toilet, the thigh and chest cuffs become loose.  As the thigh cuff is removed the pants can be pulled further down each leg.  Some caregivers find it helpful for hygiene to lift a person into the air slightly for cleaning.  Other people can accomplish cleaning while seated.

When the person is ready for pants to be pulled up, the top of the pants are gathered and pulled up as high on the thigh as possible. Work with one leg at a time.  Sometimes you will need to repeat this process.  If a person’s leg can’t be lifted high enough to clear enough space to pull the pants up, a caregiver can prop their leg up on something or lean them slightly  to the side.  The goal is to gather the pants up so that most of the fabric needed to pull over the hips is over mid thigh.  Place the thigh cuffs just below the gather of material and lift the person slightly.  With the cuffs at mid thigh the person’s buttocks will be lower than usual so best practice is to lift just high enough to clear the toilet and work fairly quickly to pull the pants up over the hips.  Depending upon how tight the pants are, this step may take a little tugging to clear any folds of fabric at the thigh cuff.   Lower to the toilet and reposition the thigh cuffs correctly as high up on the legs toward the hips as possible.

The body support makes dressing during toileting activities possible for many people.   Give us a call today if you have any questions or wish to schedule a private consultation.

402-291-9514

Bidets – A Clean Concept for Seniors and People With Disabilities

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Hygiene after toileting is something that most adults prefer to do privately, independently, and discreetly in America.  It is also among one of the most difficult challenges physically and emotionally for many people who have disabilities.  People who have normal hand and arm function and balance, who can coordinate some pretty complex motor activity  and  propriocetive processing, can only imagine how difficult it is to get toilet paper to the right spot.   The most common cleaning method in The United States is currently toilet paper.   While there are several good pieces of adaptive equipment to help people handle toilet paper, I urge you to consider an attachable bidet as an extremely satisfactory substitute for handling toilet paper.

An attachable bidet can make personal hygiene easier for people with disabilities and their caregivers.  The bidet provides the water pressure necessary to clean the genital and rectal areas thoroughly without manual intervention. The water jet and air dry features of some bidets will allow many people with disabilities to clean themselves.  Caregivers and the person being cared for may prefer allowing the bidet to clean genitals and peri -anal areas as opposed to the caregiver providing manual assistance. Seniors without disabilities are also discovering the comfort and cleanliness associated with bidets. The anal sphincter undergoes physiological changes with aging 1 and there’s an added risk of bladder or vaginal infections for women as they age. 2   Bidets are great at reducing risks associated with imperfect cleaning and can even offer dual nozzles that can provide anal cleansing as well as feminine cleansing.

Though I’ve recommended bidets over the years and tried a few myself, I’m still learning.  Here are Five important things I can share about Bidets for Seniors and People with Disabilities.  Please feel free to comment if you can add to my list.

1. People in the United States may assume that Toilet Paper is the best method of personal cleaning, but many people across the world rely on bidets for religious, health, and eco friendly reasons.

2. There are several basic types of bidets:  free standing for soaking or jet spray, attachable bidets that replace toilet seats on existing toilets,  attachments to existing toilets and toilet seats, and portable bidets.    I usually recommend attachable bidets for my clients as they don’t take up more room in the bathroom, don’t require transfer back and forth between toilet and bidet, and have features that provide independence.

3. You need to consider size and function when selecting a bidet.  Attachable bidets are sized to fit either rounded or elongated toilets.  They have different features such as location of controls, size of controls, remote or attached controls, number of wands, air dry or no air dry, heated seats, and wand self cleaning features to name a few.  All the models I’m familiar with have a sensor to keep the jets from being activated accidently. However, Mike our construction manager can tell you a story about testing the unit while the sensor is covered!

4. You can combine a bidet with other access or safety equipment such as risers or grab bars.  Risers that fit between toilet and toilet seat or under the toilet work.  Risers that sit on top of the toilet don’t.   In the video the homeowner needed a great deal of height and grab bar assistance for standing/sitting.  We combined an under seat riser the Toilevator, with a Moen safety frame and a Healthcraft Superpole with Superbar.

5. It is simple to prepare the area for a bidet.  I always suggest that people remodeling the bathroom provide a GFCI protected outlet near the toilet even if they have never considered using one.   You can add a bidet without having an outlet close by, but it makes it easier to install and doesn’t tie up the other outlets in the bathroom.  The Bidet will use the existing water supply for the toilet. Bidets are increasing in popularity in all age groups for many reasons.  You might add one just because you want one even if you never need it for reasons related to disability or aging.

Let us know if you’d like to discuss bidets and what features you might find most useful.

1   Principle and Practice of Geriatric Medicine Chapter 34 Sphincter Function Syed H. Tariq
2   Dr. Andrew Weil on the web  http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00317/Bladder-Infections.html

See what I Learned in Boise Idaho! Best Bath System’s Trip for a Best Bath for You!

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I recently spent the most invigorating few days not only learning more about an accessibility product that I like to use, but spending time with people who are as passionate as I am about delivering services to help people live safely and independently.

Best Bath Systems has been my favorite shower system ever since I found about them.  Even before Home Access Solutions added remodeling to the services we provide, we specified the system in our designs and directed the contractors we were working with to Best Bath.  I have always liked the quality.  I joked with clients, that I picked them as my primary shower and tub supplier because I have no interest in having to fix problems across Nebraska and Iowa.   I actually wasn’t joking.  Best Bath is built with a lot of safeguards to control water and it is a terrific feeling knowing that neither my client nor I have to worry about water control or durability.   I also have always liked how quickly and easily the units went together which reduces the possibility of errors by installers, and really cuts back on the inconvenience of bathroom remodeling for my clients.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit the facility where Best Bath products are made in Boise Idaho and to learn even more about the system I already liked so much.   It was a jam packed two days.  After the factory tour where we could see firsthand how the units are built with attention to quality ingredients and processes I could see why  it is possible for Best Bath to offer a 30 year limited warranty on showers and the lifetime warranty on walk in tubs.  We spent time in the classroom learning how much thought goes into Best Bath’s participation in the Aging in place and  bathroom safety market.  Finally we were able to visit showrooms full of beautiful models which gave me so many more ideas about how I can combine beauty and function.

I’ve always believed that you achieve the best results when you understand your clients, their goals, and the products you are working with.  I believe that we’ve achieved great results for people using Best Bath in the past, but I can hardly wait to see what we can achieve for clients now!

More about Best Bath and Accessibility
Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch=Oin2YcRuQJ0&feature=autoplay&list=UUSRAVuBN1AJiA_DImRh37Uw&lf=plcp&playnext=1

Bariatric Ceiling Based Transfers

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Bariatric Care is becoming a more significant problem, but technology exists to help people of all sizes stay safely in their homes.   SureHands Lift and Care Systems has recently announced the addition of two ceiling based motors with a user weight capacity of 660lbs.

When I am working with a client to solve transfer issues in the home, I take a customized approach.  The client and I discuss the areas of the home they want to transfer, their abilities and the abilities of their caregivers, and also the structural features of their home.   We also take into account their weight as lifts, like many other pieces of self-help equipment have safe working load ranges.  Up until now I’ve been able to provide convenient ceiling and wall based tracks and motors for people up to 440 pounds.  I am so excited that I can now offer this kind of freedom from stress and worry to almost everyone else.

Click on the link for some literature about the new HM2502 and 2507 motors and feel free to call or email me anytime to talk about how a ceiling based lift may make it possible for you to stay at home by making transfers safe and easy.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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No one who needs residential access or equipment for daily living is exactly like anyone else and doesn’t live in a home that is exactly like anyone else’s. How much sense does it make to assume that the same access equipment or modification that works for one person is going to work for everyone? It doesn’t. so Why do we repeatedly hear stories such as a family getting a ceiling track lift for a growing 3 year old and ending up with a sling for a small adult. Worse yet, the whole point of the lift system was to assist with toilet training, but the sling provided was a full body sling. That means it had no toilet hole. A system designed to last for years, costing the agency funding it thousands of dollars and it doesn’t work for the family at all because the company selling it took the one size fits all approach. As it turns out, the company providing the winning, lowest bid had not even been to the home.

Access is a personal thing. It is an adaptation that matches a person’s goals, skills, size, medical condition, developmental status, environment, and preferences. When you need residential access find a building professional or designer who understands this concept. They also need to know something both about construction and disability or aging. One place to look is at the National Association of Home Builder’s website for a professional with a CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) designation. http://www.nahb.org/directory.aspx?directoryID=188 Avoid working with designers or contractors who try to blindly apply American With Disability Act Guidelines to residential situations. ADAAG are a good starting place and have to be used if they’ve been incorporated into your area’s building code, but they weren’t designed with your personal situation at home in mind.

If equipment is recommended, make every effort to try it yourself if possible. If demo equipment isn’t available, learn enough about the equipment to know how it works and what you need to be able to do to operate it. Work with a knowledgeable salesperson who knows the equipment and is willing to take the time to evaluate your skills and environment. He or she can at least help you simulate using the equipment and can help you understand how the equipment is going to work in your home.

You are unique, your home is unique, your situation is unique. How can one size fits all fit your needs? It probably won’t. Take the time to match your home modification and equipment to your unique situation. Then you will have a solution that will work. Download our short guide to help you start the planning process.

Accessibility is NOT Scary!

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Accessibility is not scary.  Seeing people who don’t have a safe and accessible home is what scares me.  Yet for some reason, people act like I’m scary when someone suggests they let me do a home evaluation or they act like thinking about safety and access equipment and remodeling is scary.

I do understand.  It isn’t me that scares people.  It might be admitting that they have some limitations, that they need to change how they do things, that they aren’t as young as they once were or as able as they once were that is scaring them.  One of the ways a human being makes themselves feel secure and safe is to deny that something is wrong.  It ultimately isn’t a successful way to achieve safety and security, but denial is a pretty common response.

Ask anyone to explain what the phrase “he is his own worst enemy” means and they will be able to do it.  Yet most of us have difficulty perceiving when we are behaving like our own worst enemy.   Running a home modification business I meet people every day who have a strong desire to live life independently and on their own terms.  Yet they resist changing how they do things, turn their back on offers to help from people who love them, and deny that they could use balance supports, mobility equipment, or any number of helpful gadgets to increase safety and independence.  They are their own worst enemy as their own behavior and decisions make it difficult for them to achieve their goal of living independently and on their own terms.

There is another old saying.  “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”  As a residential access designer, it is my job to lead you to the water- Heck, I’ll build you a ramp to the water if you’d like- but I can’t make you drink.  I can and will continue to preach all day long than creating a home that is safe and matches your abilities will give you a better chance of living the way you want to and on your own terms.  The rest is really up to you.

So do your part. Share the news.  Share this blog and try to convince yourself and your friends that Access isn’t scary- Not having a safe and accessible home is what is scary.  Give us a call if you’d like a personal (and not scary) evaluation to achieve an accessible and safe home.

Uplift Commode Assist

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There are so many different ways to make getting on and off the toilet safer and easier.  Sometimes simply increasing the height of the toilet with any one of a variety of risers, new toilets, or under toilet risers is enough.  Sometimes seating a person with their hips level with or higher than the height of their knees is all that is needed to reduce effort or pain.  What if a person needs more help than that?  Believe it or not, you don’t have to invent your own toilet catapult.  There are many safe and thoroughly tested alternatives!

One option is a self powered lifting seat for the toilet.  A reliable and economical choice is the Uplift Commode Assist from Uplift Technologies, Inc. It can be used over most toilets to help people who have a mild to moderate problem standing and sitting.  It is not permanently attached, so it is useful for people who expect few changes in ability over the years and renters.  It is also something I suggest for people with progressive medical conditions as we can adjust height and amount of assistance provided as they need it, then easily remove the unit entirely if we need to provide even more physical assistance than the Uplift Commode Assist provides.

Whether the Uplift Commode Assist is used over a toilet or is used free-standing with the collection bucket, we often suggest adding a grab bar within arm’s length in front of the toilet for additional balance assist.  The Uplift Commode Assist provides tremendous help, but we’ve found that by the time a person decides they need it, they can benefit from something sturdy in front of them to either help with balance or to help them initiate the motion of leaning forward to stand.  Really, who wants to wobble back and forth around the toilet?  As always, we encourage people to be realistic about their abilities to get the best use from their equipment selection.  There are other equipment choices which are better for people who need to move straight up to be able to stand, such as people with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy instead of at a forward angle like most of us.  It isn’t designed for  people who aren’t able to bear weight on their legs at all, thought I have suggested it to help caregivers help who can bear weight once they are standing.

The Uplift Commode Assist is easy to use once assembled and adjusted for the amount of lift needed.  The lever is broad and the equipment was awarded the coveted “Ease-of-Use” Commendation by the Arthritis Foundation in recognition of its arthritis-friendly design.  The broad plastic seat is comfortable and easy to clean.  We suggest people sit and measure the straight distance from one side of their hips to the other if they are close to the manufacturer’s weight limit of 300 lbs or have wide hips.  The seat’s arms are 17.5” apart and while the manufacturer reports that it will lift up to 70% of the weight for a person up to 300 lb, the benefit of the lift will be lost if a person sticks inside the arms.  The Uplift Commode Assist come disassembled, but has all the tools and instructions needed to put it together and is covered with a one year warranty.

Click on this Link to purchase the Uplift Commode Assist  and use the coupon code UPLIFT10 to save 10% and get free shipping through February 15, 2012.

Check out the user guide here! >>

Celebrate Your Special Strengths

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I do plenty of video blogs related to aging, disability, and residential accessibility, and have developed a format in which I usually do something a little goofy at the beginning of a video in order to catch people’s attention and get them laughing.   I believe that people will be willing to tolerate thinking about what can sometimes be an uncomfortable topic once they have laughed and relaxed a little.  I know that I run the risk of being known as the goofy lady who will do just about anything to get people to stick around and talk about making homes safer and easier to use, but I can live with that.  I often wonder though, if people know that in addition to being silly and interested in how people live in their homes, that I am an Occupational Therapist, and have been for over 30 years.

I recently read an interesting article in the November 14, 2011 issue of AOTA’s (The American Occupational Therapy Association) magazine “OT PRACTICE”.  Another Occupational Therapist, Barbara A. Smith, MS, OTR/L wrote a short reflection piece titled, “Finding Our Special Strength”.   She said that, “We as occupational therapy practitioners strive to find the special strength each and every one of us contains,” when she was sharing stories of people with disabilities whose accomplishments were “examples of ability trumping disability”.    Thinking about the article caused me to reflect on my own practice, Home Access Solutions, Inc. and the people that I serve.

It doesn’t really bother me to be known as that goofy lady who will do just about anything or the person who is always talking about bathrooms and gleefully announces she was crowned Potty Queen in 1999.  I don’t want to be like everyone else and on my better days, I don’t even try.  The fact that I truly care about everyday living and can comfortably carry on conversations about things most people don’t even want to think about is one of my strengths and I revel in it!  My company, when it is functioning at its best, is not like any other company either.   I do not think that there is another OT practice quite like us; an equipment supplier quite like us; or a construction company quite like us.  Our strength is that we are merging all three services to accomplish our mission and our focus on the importance that everyday activities in the home have on quality of life and we revel in it!

Our strength is that we are actively listening to and seeking to understand and work with the strengths of our clients.  Each person we work with is unlike everyone else who may share the same age, medical condition, developmental disability, or other condition.  We don’t ask our clients to accept the same equipment or remodeling idea that works for someone else.  We listen to their goals, look at their abilities and environment, and we offer education and solutions for them to choose from.  As I tell clients, “It doesn’t really matter to me what you choose to do as long as you are safe.  After all, I am not going to live here.”  As a company we don’t know everything and we can’t work miracles (much to my everlasting disappointment), but we do listen and we do see our clients as people who have unique strengths and unique outlooks.

So whether you are a practitioner of the growing field of environmental modification or you are the recipient of these services, focus on your unique and special strengths to find solutions that will not only work, but will reflect how you want to live your life.