Portable shower that doesn't cost and arm and a leg?

elhijo

Hello ALZ connected,

My LO lives at home with me. With God's Grace she is free of medication. She is going to turn 89 this year and it's been a rough road but my LO is no longer combative and I think I'm getting the hang of the no-eating situation. I'm making foods she likes.

Our problem is now the showering... My LO does not like showering b/c she is afraid she will fall. And because her skin is so fair this leads to skin problems now and then that I seriously want to avoid. I went online and there is this thing for a whopping $3500 that is a portable shower, think 'shower bay'. While $3500 is not exactly impossible for us, it seems like an awful lot of money that could be better spent elsewhere. My LO can still walk on her own with some assistance and we do have a home-made shower chair solution that works and is safe, but still, getting her in and out of the bathtub is an issue and replacing the bathtub is not feasible for us at this point.

So... have any other caretakers solved this issue? I looked at portable camping showers and things like that but they look kind of flimsy. I may just put my LO in a kiddie pool and buy an el cheapo water pump, tie it to a hose that drains into the bathtub, and showed her that way. It would still be cumbersome but I'm thinking doing this might give us more showers per week -and less aggravation when it came time to shower time.

Any thoughts or experiences with products that solve this need welcome.

Thank you,

elhijo

star26

"More showers per week"??? How many showers are you attempting to do? Once per week MAX. Have you looked into no-rinse cleansers? Are bars installed near the tub for her to hold on to?  Adequate non-slip surface for her to step on to? I live in a warm climate and was able to install an outdoor shower that made showering so much easier. A plumber can add a hot water line to your outdoor spigot if this is a possibility for you. You may find that there is more to her reluctance than just the fear of falling, so I'd be leary about spending a large amount of money on a new shower unless she is physically unable to lift her legs to get into the tub.

elhijo

Once a week isn't adequate for our needs. An outdoor shower is not feasible. Thank you for your reply.

Fitzpal

I use a shower chair that extends outside of bathtub- $169 at drug store. It is a fall risk so your lo would need supervision and assistance while showering. I also use a handheld shower head so I can control the water. Floor gets a little wet but I use an extra towel to dry it and place an anti slip mat on floor when my mom gets out of tub. Not perfect but works for us.

Kath50

We use a shower bench, it’s not that expensive. Specifically for elderly showering.  She just sits down and rotates her legs into the tub, it has made showering so much easier! Check out Wal M site, it’s like $50.00. She goes from her walker to that with no issues.

elhijo

Thank you, much appreciated.

towhee

If your LO has fragile skin they also make these tub/shower transfer benches with a sliding seat. Some have arms and pivot so that is just like sitting in a chair outside the tub and then it slides over. Some have a cut out in the seat so that your LO would not have to stand up in the shower. With a hand held shower and grab bars situated for your LOs height you should be good. If you have shower doors you will probably have to take them off.

Many members praise the usefulness of a bidet attachment to the toilet. Eliminating other shower stress points such as keeping the bathroom warm and always having everything ready and at hand, giving them a small task to keep busy, telling them what you are doing before you do it, etc. can also be helpful. Please be aware that an older persons skin dries out more than a younger persons and that too many showers can also lead to skin problems.