grab bars in home - how to find help in central Texas

terlibrarian

My mother is falling several times a week.  So grab bars are needed ASAP.  Our doctor told us to contact our local area aging organization.  I emailed them and called them, and I've never had a reply.  I would love someone to tell us what kind of bars, where to put the bars, and how to find someone to install them.  We're in the Waco, TX area.

Any advice?

Thank you.

RobOT

Welcome to the boards.    If you go to a big home improvement store they should have an assortment of grab bars and can put you in touch with a handy man who knows how to install them.  Really, they just need to be about elbow high and screwed into studs on both ends, not just wallboard or plaster.  You need one in the shower, and if you don't have a commode with arms over the toilet you need one next to the toilet.  The commode is much safer in my opinion because it has an arm for support on both sides, not just one.  You need a bar if there's a step up (like a step up into the house from the garage, for instance) or if there's room, you could do a railing, but that's expensive and would be for a long term situation.  You can also find the bars online.  Go for functional, not pretty, meaning something with a good gripping surface, not shiny or painted.  These can be installed vertically, horizontally or diagonally.  I like diagonal for its versatility in height, and horizontal for its length.  Good luck with this.

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feudman

Hello, & welcome to the forums. You might also check with your local Alz. Assn. office, or just call a realtor, & ask who they use for ADA compliance improvements.

In the meantime, check Amazon and/or Walmart.com for "suction grab bars." These work very effectively on smooth, non-porous surfaces (glass, tile, laminate, appliances, etc.), & are waterproof, hence ideal for bathrooms & kitchens. They generally cost $15.-$20. each. Best of all, they are DIY (no installation costs) & no screw holes when removed.

harshedbuzz

It might be useful to have a consultation in your home with a PT to determine where to install grab bars based on your mom's abilities. When dad was discharged from rehab, a PT and OT came to his apartment to make suggestions on making it safe for him. A PT who does home visits can likely give you the name of a handyman who can do a safe install.

A dear friend had bars for her mom in bathrooms and also hallways. She did use these, but it wasn't always enough to prevent falls. 

HB

Marta

Please be aware that grab bars alone cannot keep your loved one from falling. 

You may need to look at the bigger picture to determine whether your loved one is safe to live alone. Falling is only one of the disasters that can befall her. 

The use of grab bars requires enough cognition to know what they are and to remember to use them. 

Rescue mom

Where is she falling? Grab bars have to be attached to something. Usually in the bathroom/shower, but at least she can have them there. As others said, just about any handyman can install them. Many service groups or churches will do it. As someone else said, a lot of big supply stores will provide you names of handyman, or do it themselves for a fee.

And there are groups/people who go in the home and assess it for fall dangers. Her local Alzheimer’s Association could likely give you some names. I would call first, Google the number for the local AA.

But if she’s falling elsewhere, like in the middle of the room, that’s another matter.

Luv Power

Your doctor can make a referral for OT to come out to the house to assess for overall safety of the home, equipment that may help (i.e. transfer shower bench, toilet riser, et al) as well as locations to place grab bars.

Our local bathroom remodeler has helped me on several occasions to install grab bars by the toilet and in the bathtub/shower.  They brought the grab bars with them and made recommendations for height, angle and locations.  I am sure if I had asked them to install grab bars in other areas of the house, they would have.

Good luck.

Cynbar

If she is falling often, she may qualify for a period of physical and/or occupational therapy through home care. Her insurance should pay for this ---- call her PCP's office and ask for a referral to evaluate her safety. They will show you where the grab bars should be placed, and also should be able to recommend someone to install them. They can also check her overall safety, look for safety hazards like scatter rugs that you may not see, and recommend equipment such as possibly a cane or walker. I agree with the above poster, the issue may be more than just grab bars. You can't always depend on the doctor to think of this, sometimes you have to lead him and suggest it.

terlibrarian

Thank you everyone for your advice.  This should get me going.