Helping to Erase Multiple Sclerosis

     
     

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 Living with MS

  The Bathroom

Purchase an adjustable portable toilet seat.
If you find the height of standard toilet seats to be a problem, purchase an adjustable portable toilet seat to increase the height 4 to 7 inches and make it easier to get on and off the toilet. They are easy to attach to any toilet. Some portable seats provide armrests for added support. Purchase a tote bag so you can take the seat with you and safely use bathrooms away from home.

Install a wall-mounted toilet seat.
A wall-mounted toilet seat may be installed at a level that is convenient for you.

Adapt your shower and bathtub.
Try these adaptations for safer, easier use of your shower and bathtub: (1) Consider a shower caddy, a hanging basket that hooks over the shower head and keeps soap and shampoo off the floor. (2) Use decorative non-slip tape or decals in the tub or shower for improved traction. (3) If you use a rubber mat, periodically toss it in the washing machine with soap and a little bleach to remove that slippery soap-film buildup. (4) Purchase one of the many inexpensive shower chairs available, or place an inexpensive resin or webbed outdoor chair in the tub or shower and have a seat while you bathe. (5) Never grab onto towel racks or soap dish holders for support. Install grab bars in the shower and bathtub. Grab bars must be securely anchored to wall studs. Get professional advice on the proper placement and hire a professional if you cannot do the installation yourself. (6) A metal hand-held shower nozzle may be slippery and hard to manage when your hands are soapy. You will have better control if you wind several rubber bands around the hand portion of the nozzle. (7) Shower curtains will slide more easily if you apply a coat of petroleum jelly to the rod and then rub off the excess with a paper towel.

Reorganize your medicine chest.
Improve your medicine chest and bathroom organization by doing any of the following: (1) Glue small magnets inside the medicine cabinet door to hold nail files, cuticle scissors, and other metal objects. (2) Use a spice rack placed at eye level to hold medications or small articles that might easily be lost in a closet. They will be easier to spot and you won't have to reach so far into the closet. (3) Turntables on the counter or in bathroom closets make items easy to retrieve. (4) Reserve a drawer in the bathroom for clean undergarments. That way, when you have finished showering, you have everything you need to start getting dressed.

Purchase a telescoping mirror.
The medicine chest mirror may be too high for children or people who sit in a wheelchair. Purchase a telescoping mirror that either clamps to the side wall of the vanity or sits on top of the vanity counter. Telescoping mirrors feature adjustable, swivel-type necks that may easily be moved to various positions. One side has a regular mirror and the other side has a magnifying mirror, making it perfect for makeup application or shaving. Consider installing mirror tiles at various heights on the bathroom walls.

Use a wash mitt or soft sponge to bathe.
Substitute a wash mitt or soft sponge for the usual washcloth. Sponges are easier to use if your hands are weak.

Use pop-up tissues.
Pop-up tissues are easier to grab than the kind that lie flat in the box.

Keep measuring spoons handy for taking liquid medicine.
Keep a measuring spoon in one of the toothbrush holder slots for taking liquid medication. Or hang spoons from an adhesive-backed hook inside the medicine cabinet door.