The Role Reversal

By Author: John Smith
Total Articles: 102
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It is a sad day, when you realise your parents are growing older and need physical help. These are the people who were always there for you. The role reversal creeps in very slowly. You are now the care giver doing your best not to tread on their pride and dignity. Getting in and out of bed and showering without help can make them feel self-reliant.
Getting Out Of Bed Without Help
Bed rails provide the elderly the extra leverage and support to get out of bed. It can be securely fastened to the frame of the cot.
It comes in different sizes, designs and material. The size you need will depend on your specific need. If support is the only function, then a half size will do. If you want a bed rail to prevent your parent from rolling off the bed, then you may want to go in for a full length one. Whatever you decide on, it should be fixed so that getting in and out of bed will not be cumbersome. As for the material, a cold metal rail might shock them awake if they bump into it. A wood or a padded one is a good idea especially if the weather is cold. Investing in a portable rail is a good idea if your parents are frequent travellers. You may want to make sure that the height and weight of the bed rail will suit your parents’ requirements.
Making Showering More Comfortable
A shower seat is another must have, to make the life of the elders in your house comfortable. To the elderly even something as everyday as a shower, can be a chore. If you get them a shower chair, you can stop worrying about their safety in the bathroom. The weight of the shower chair should be an important consideration when you buy one. It should accommodate the weight of the person who is to use it. A comfortable back and armrests come in handy. Make sure the armrests are of a material that doesn’t get slippery when wet. You don’t want any accidents when your parent braces herself on the armrest to get out of the shower chair. While you are at it, see if you can get a shower seat with adjustable height. The point to all this exercise is comfort. All said and done, you are going through all this trouble to make your parents feel independent