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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.
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