Isn't it sad? This arrived today, and yet I'm thrilled.

[NurseJackie]

I never imagined I'd live to be old enough to need (or APPRECIATE) having a shower-chair. --- I'm not yet ready to audition for a "I've-fallen-and-I-can't-get-up!" commercial... but I also feel unsteady when taking a shower. The LAST thing I need is a broken hip.

[blm]

1. I hear ya, NJ

[NurseJackie]

97. I'd ignored the warning signs too long.

I almost slipped and fell the other day, and that's when I realized it wasn't the first time and that it could have been much worse. I can set-aside my pride for safety (and not going to the hospital, and being independent for much longer... I hope.)

[Wounded Bear]

2. Been thinking about something like that for a while now...

haven't yet pulled the string, but it would be a good use of my Biden Bucks.

[NurseJackie]

4. Amazon, $60 delivered.

I chose the "Vive" brand because of the warranty experience that my nephew told me. He had purchased one for my sister (who's now living in a memory care facility) and during the move, they lost one of the rubber feet.

He called the Vive company to ask about buying a new rubber foot. They confirmed his purchase and told him "our products have a lifetime guarantee... the foot should not have come off... we're sending you a replacement at no charge."

Nice!

[Hekate]

3. Oh gods -- getting there

[NurseJackie]

63. Better to be admiring the top side of the grass...

... instead of the roots. 😘💕❤️

[nature-lover]

5. After hip surgery, I have one walker inside the shower and one out. Works well. n/t

[NurseJackie]

72. That's a great idea! I'm glad you found something that works!

[lillypaddle]

82. Now there's an idea

thanks.

[nature-lover]

101. Thanks. One to step into the shower and then maneuver to face the water and ...

the other outside the door that can be positioned to step out. Lightweight but easy to position and give stability. Works better than a grab bar for me. Hope this helps someone.

[Haggard Celine]

6. I've got a shower bench.

It works better for my tub. I also have a no-slip mat and a raised toilet. I know you find this hard to believe, but I'm not that old, really, I'm just differently-abled, shall we say.

[NurseJackie]

73. I considered one of those, but there's just no space in our small bathroom.

I think our next mobility/accessibility/safety purchase will be a handrail near the toilet. That would be handy to have.

[Irish_Dem]

7. This chair saved me when I have broken my leg, ankle, knee a couple of times.

And spinal fractures.

It was the only way I could get a shower. I loved it.

It is a happy picture to me, it allowed me to finally get my body and hair washed!

If you feel at all unsteady by all means use it.

Trust me, the last thing you want to do is fall and break bones.

[NurseJackie]

39. I know... Right? I thought I'd feel resigned or defeated...

... but I'm happy! (I guess that's a healthy reaction. Acceptance?)

[Irish_Dem]

42. I was in a situation where I had not bathed for six weeks due to three spinal

fractures causing surgery, only just a bird bath once a week. I was in a cast and could not take it off to wash up.

When I finally had permission to take a shower with the shower chair I was overjoyed and finally felt human again.
I still have my shower chair, I keep it because it is special to me! I know, how sad is that?

Yes I think it is acceptance when the alternatives are considerably less pleasant than the adaptive item.

I had to use a walker a number of times, since I have so many bone breaks. At first I would not use the walker, I couldn't handle it psychologically. But the physical therapists threatened me with dire consequences so I used it. And I could get up and be mobile. And I did like that. Same with the cane.

But I am doing great now, walk two miles a day and am as mobile as I need and want. No walker, no cane, no shower chair.

But yes, please use whatever you need to be safe and not fall. You might want to fall proof your home while you are at all. There are lists on the internet concerning the topic. Again, I cannot emphasize how unpleasant it is to break bones.

[NurseJackie]

55. Wow! Sorry you had to go through that...

... other than a childhood fractured wrist, I've not had any broken bones. I know how serious it can be. I want to avoid it if at all possible

Be well.

[Irish_Dem]

56. You are being very smart to use the shower chair. Showers are ground zero for home falls.

I know, I have been through a hell of sorts.
I have soft bones which break easily.

But right now I am doing really well as I said.
And determined to avoid any more broken bones.

Yes thanks, you stay well too!

[malaise]

8. Better to be safe than sorry

The rest of us are getting there.
True story a good friend's brother (he died) had stage four cancer. She and a home nurse were taking care of him since he was divorced. The nurse would sponge him down twice day. two days before he died he told his sister he just had to have one last shower. She was able to borrow one of those chairs and she and the nurse helped him into the shower and sat him on the chair. They left him for a while and he said he didn't know he could enjoy a shower that much. We change as life changes. I cried when she told us that story.

[NurseJackie]

13. ...

[Skittles]

9. you do what you need to do to feel safe

people who refuse to adapt for fear of being perceived in a negative way are only harming themselves!

[NurseJackie]

77. That's the best way to be! I was in denial for a short while...

... but a couple of close-calls (and other moments where I realized how lucky I was to NOT slip and fall) I just decided it was time.

I'd rather be humble and safe rather than prideful and in-denial, and eventually IN the hospital! Right?

[Hotler]

10. Safety first. I suffered a broken pelvis and femur in 1991

The OT came by the house and one of the item he installed was a grab bar on the side of the tube. Still there and has held up well.
Trips and falls are the number one accident in the home for all ages.
Nothing wrong with safety.

[AllaN01Bear]

29. we have grab irons in the shower and on one side of the bath room.

we also have pull cords in the bathroom and bed room. i live in a small apartment and these are required by ca state and local code.

[NurseJackie]

99. Something like that may be added to our home as well (pull-cords or call buttons).

It's scary to think what could happen when I'm alone and it could be hours and hours before someone gets home.

We may also be adding a grab bar next to the toilet as well.

Stay safe and healthy... be well.

[AllaN01Bear]

110. i live alone and i have 2 people who i check in with every day. if they dont hear from me they start

calling contact numbers or i call them from the er. i have afib issues at times.

[NurseJackie]

98. Sorry to hear about your fall and injuries... I had a close-call the other day.

And that's what made me realize that I'd pushed my luck long enough. (I think of myself as being much younger than I actually am... but my physical abilities are starting to disagree with my perception of myself.)

Be safe and well.

[TreasonousBastard]

11. Right now I'm using a spare cooler standing on its end, but if I decide to bow a few bucks...

this dual-use thing is an old fart's dream.

?scale.height=400

[AllaN01Bear]

30. i have one , but its waaaay to big for my tub. when the owners remodeled these

apartments 5 years ago, we could have had one in the bigger tub, but they shrank things .
may look for a used one in the thrift shops here . or just buy a plastic chair.

[JI7]

12. That looks useful even for people without health concerns

[NurseJackie]

74. I know! I'm wondering why I didn't get it sooner.

I could have been using it years ago while shaving my legs or buffing my feet.

[Butterflylady]

14. I have had one for years. The chair and a hand held shower head

And your in heaven.

[NurseJackie]

44. Yes! We have the handheld shower...

... I'll need a new lower mounting holder for it. We have one on order from Amazon and it will arrive in a few days.

[csziggy]

15. I've had a shower bench for over ten years now

Easier to move around and to clean. Since our shower has a built in bench that was built too tall - I told them less than 18" tall, they made it about 24" - I use it as a foot rest most of the time. It makes it easy to reach down and wash my legs and feet. Each time I had shoulder surgery and was not allowed to move my shoulder at all, I'd sit on the bench and my husband would wash my hair and the parts I couldn't reach.

My mother had a transfer bench - part stuck out over the edge of the tub. She could sit down outside the tub, then slide over until she was in the tub. No worries about her being able to step over the tub at all.

A lot of these type things end up in thrift shops. People die and the heirs just haul everything off. Mom's transfer bench was lent to her by the company that provided her caretakers. So when Mom no longer needed it, they just took it back. They did that for a lot of their clients and kept a small warehouse of various types of home aid pieces.

[NurseJackie]

16. Yes... we did that with a lot of Mom's things.

Her bedside commode and transport wheelchair were donated. But now that I look at the cost of these things, I'm thinking that maybe I should have made room for them in our shed/garage.

The transfer benches are nice to have. I'm not there yet (and even in our larger "master" bathroom, there's really not enough room for that.)

[csziggy]

20. When we planned this house, we made the downstairs completely wheelchair accessible

I'm not there yet, but I was going into my second knee operation and wasn't sure how long I'd be able to walk around. So the master bath doesn't have a bathtub, just a shower with no curb big enough for a wheelchair and with safety rails all over the place.

I've got a couple of walkers that came from thrift shops or from Dad. Oddly enough the one from the thrift shop I bought a few weeks before I blew out my first knee. I didn't need it when I bought it, but it sure came in handy when my meniscus tore and folded up!

[malaise]

21. You should start an OP suggesting that DUers above 50 should think about keeping

some of their elderly parents' useful stuff for themselves.
I have friends who put rails in the bathroom and several other parts of the home for their elderly aunt. When the aunt asked them why they were changing the home for her, they pointed out that they were in their 70s - Aunty was 98 when she died.

[NurseJackie]

47. That's a good idea. There are a lot of interesting posts in...

... DU's "Seniors" forum, too.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1183

[malaise]

66. Thank for that

Now that I qualify I'll check it out

[DENVERPOPS]

34. My wife and I had to get a ton of this stuff after

a major accident we had years ago. We still have it all, good quality stuff, including a collapsible wheel chair, several different shower chairs and benches, toilet seat extensions, numerous crutches, walkers, etc in our basement. We have lent them out countless times to our friends and neighbors on the condition they clean and sanitize them and return them to us when done.

[NurseJackie]

37. That's great! Glad others could benefit too!

[csziggy]

40. Yes, when needed it's great to have and makes your life safer and easier

After one of my surgeries, I was in the older section of the hospital - no grab bars, no safety features in the tub. Basically the bathroom was like a lower price motel room bath. When I had to stay longer than planned, the surgeon recommended a shower and I told him I did not feel safe trying to take a shower in that bathtub. He got the hospital to provide a shower bench and it made all the difference. It was still not convenient, but it was safer than me trying to stand in a tub with no safety rail and with a slippery base.

Next time, I might bring my own shower bench, though that hospital has added a new wing and I'd bet that wing has all the safety features.

[DENVERPOPS]

65. You certainly would find them

in any hospital built or remodeled in the past 10-20 years, maybe more. The safety and handicap stuff, not only falls under building codes, but life safety codes.

I am appalled that the hospital you were in wasn't updated. The entire medical field, including pharmaceuticals absolutely infuriates me.
Having substandard facilities, just so they can make more off the insurance payments is despicable......

[trof]

17. Do you have a grab bar?

They attach with suction cups.
We keep one at our daughter's house.

[trof]

17. Do you have a grab bar?

They attach with suction cups.
We keep one at our daughter's house.

[NurseJackie]

22. Yes! The shower has a built-in grab bar (up-to-code) and my husband added another one...

... a vertical one to use when stepping in/out of the tub-shower. I never worried (much) about getting in-and-out of the shower... but just standing there for an extended period, I'd sometimes start to lose my strength and balance.

I've used the existing built-in grab bar to steady myself more and more... and that's what made me decide that a chair would be really helpful.

I'm thrilled to be alive. I love life... but I hate getting old. Damn.

[trof]

25. Getting old ain't for sissies.

Just sign me...
80 in August

[malaise]

38. That is the absolute truth

[NoSheep]

19. I'm almost there. Turn the stereo up and enjoy a good refreshing shower!

[lillypaddle]

84. But then, if you fall

No one can hear you holler for help over the stereo. This is how I think nowadays.

[ashredux]

23. All I can say is...ROCK ON!!!

[NurseJackie]

60. Thank you!

I'm trying!

[Grey5]

24. Members of my family made fun of me

when we remodeled the bathroom and I had grab bars put in the tub area.
The next year I had four major operations and three bouts of pneumonia in six weeks. I was in a coma for 17 days and have no memory of about 6 weeks.
When I woke up I was 300 miles from home, in a strange hospital and was having treatment for kidney failure. All of this happened with no warning but I can tell you I Love My Grab Bars. I had to learn to walk again and have warm feelings for my walker. If you want to feel helpless, wake up in a hospital bed and realize you can't roll over and you can't remember how to roll over. Three years later I still have large holes in my memory, I call it Swiss cheese brain. How much harder could it have been if I hadn't looked ahead and taken steps.
But, yeah, I'll take all the help I can get.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

67. I was hit by a car as a pedestrian

And it fucked up my legs,back neck.

It is hard as shit and frustrating learning how to walk again.

I am amazed thinking how in the world did I learn to walk as a toddler. With no mirrors or physical therapist or past body memory of walking.

[NurseJackie]

71. That's horrible... I'm so sorry to hear.

I've only ever had a wrist fracture (childhood injury) but never any broken bones. I was rear-ended about 25 years ago, and the painful effects of that still bother me almost daily, but it was nowhere near as severe as your situation.

Stay safe and be well.

[Grey5]

92. Thank you Jackie,

I have almost no memory of the whole thing. Thankfully I live in Canada and my only medical expense was $27 for an ambulance ride. Woe betide any one who mean-mouths doctors or nurses in my space. They just calmly and repeatedly saved my life as I lay safe and warm in my little coma. I received superb care and love to shout to the whole world how much I respect these people. Cheers.

[NurseJackie]

70. If I was going to remodel anything in our home it would be the bathroom...

... I wish it was wheelchair/walker/rollator friendly and accessible (with a larger shower). But, this will certainly help to make me feel a bit more steady and safe.

So sorry to hear about all the challenges you've had. Be well and stay safe.

[Hortensis]

26. One of the nicest things about any age is what makes us happy

changes to go with it. Have you named your new buddy yet?

[NurseJackie]

36. I hadn't thought about that... Maybe "Cherry" or "Cher"...

.. or is that too obvious and lacking imagination?

[Hortensis]

41. How about Cheri? You're about to become very close, after all.

[AllaN01Bear]

27. had one , but it got worn out .so i use a regular metal chair instead.

[Mr.Bill]

28. We had one of those after my wife broke her ankle.

We got rid of it because the tub we were using it in is fiberglass and where the legs sat small cracks were developing. Too much weight concentrated in a small area, I suppose. Watch out for this.

In the mobile home we live in now, the bath tub is cast iron. We have a small wooden and metal folding chair that works quite well. I will say in the six years since we moved here, I've come to appreciate that there are several grab rails. I always use them and miss them when we stay in a motel. In most places if you request a handicapped room there is no tub and my wife likes a tub.

[NurseJackie]

32. We live in a double wide mobile home...

... our tub is fiberglass too... Thanks for the warning. I'll watch carefully.

[haele]

64. We live in a double-wide we bought "as is"

With the only real bad spot where there was a major leak in the master bath that had rotted out the MDF subfloor.

We gutted the old shower shell and floor, which gave us a 4x5 shower area instead of a 2x3. We put down plywood and tarred the floor and lower part of the wall, put in two drains on either side of a 1" raised "shower lip", tiled the entire floor and half the walls so we have a nice large and comfortable shower area with a built in bench and plenty of hand-rails. So, the toilet gets wet, but it's safe and comfortable for us as we get older.

And it wasn't too expensive, getting supplies and fixtures on clearance.

Haele

[NurseJackie]

75. Sounds like a huge project with great results! I'd love to have a walk-in shower.

A complete bathroom remodel would be at the top of my wish-list... but we'll wait for now.

[BobTheSubgenius]

31. We bought a shower chair for the time after my wife had her knee replacement.

Before that, I gutted the bathroom and reconfigured it to have a 5' walk-in shower. TOTALLY functional for our so-called Golden Years.

She had bought a couple of grab bars some time ago that are easy to use and strong as hell. Incredibly powerful suction cups that set and release with a lever and stick like hell to the tiles. I heartily recommend them.

[NurseJackie]

76. That sounds perfect! It's a project that's on our remodel-wish-list...

... I had seen the suction cup grab handles, but didn't know if they were worthwhile. Thanks for the recommendation!

[BobTheSubgenius]

128. You are more than welcome.

A word to the wise, though...you need to check them with some regularity and make sure the grip is still strong. When they dry out, the "sticky" seems to fade. Just give the cups a wipe with a damp cloth and "restick" them.

When I tiled the shower, I used a high-gloss 24 x12 tile that is ideal for this purpose. If you are unlucky enough to have tiles small enough that there is no way to set the suction cup so that it isn't situated over grout lines, I'm not sure how well that would work.

Good luck!

[BobTheSubgenius]

129. I'm not sure I'd take on this remodel again, even though it hasn't been more than 3 years or so.

I just don't feel the energy and strength any more. Last time, I was down to studs and joists - could see the crawlspace from inside the bathroom. I reframed the floor, straightened the walls as much as possible, rerouted some plumbing and some wiring, then got to rebuilding.

Got a screaming deal on a glass shower with floor pan - $899 Cdn, and the next cheapest was $1100 without floor pan. Marble-look (incredibly realistic) tiles were also on sale. New drywall, new dual-pane window, new toilet, new vanity, sink, tap sets for both shower and sink and a tile floor.

$2600 Cdn, all in. Just as an indication.

[littlemissmartypants]

33. I wish my shower was big enough for one.

I had to get a shower stool a couple of years ago when I fell off the back deck steps onto the concrete patio breaking my ankle and leg. I am very thankful for it, too.

[NurseJackie]

35. That one would have been my 2nd choice...

... if this chair had been too large.

[BumRushDaShow]

113. I have that exact one

(although I think a couple companies make stools like that)

Best thing I ever got. But even more important was a shower wand - first things I installed in my bathrooms! It's similar to this -



Fortunately the bathroom in my bedroom has a stall shower so no climbing over the tub side. The other bathroom has the tub (and a 3rd is a powder room on the first floor with no shower but I am still thankful for having a bathroom on the first floor right by the front door for those...ahem...desperate times coming home from shopping... )!

[NurseJackie]

126. That's almost exactly like the showerhead setup we have...

... with a click-click diverter to choose which shower-head (or both). The Mister will be adding another mounting bracket to hold the hand-held. Low enough to reach when seated, but high enough to be able to wash/rinse my hair.

YES!! My bladder does the same thing... a mind of its own. It knows when you're getting close to home or pulling into the driveway. "Hooray, I'm home! Gotta go! Gotta go! Gotta go go go go! I mean right now! You've ignored me too long and you'll be lucky if you make it!"

[BumRushDaShow]

127. My mom had one of those for years

and it was so much easier for her. Eventually I got my own about 8 years ago at my previous place and bought 2 more for the 2 bathrooms that had showers, once I moved here (the model I bought came with a small roll of teflon tape to help the seal when it's screwed on). First thing I replaced!!!

[Harker]

43. If I could find a recliner with a cup holder, I'd be all set.

Nice acquisition!

[NurseJackie]

100. I briefly considered stealing one of our mesh-seat folding chairs from our camper...

... but it was a bit too wide for the width of the tub (and I think it was too lightweight) But it DOES have a cup-holder.

[mjvpi]

45. Thanks for sharing in our common humanity.

[Meowmee]

46. I have used one for several years

After being diagnosed with severe osteoporosis due to various health conditions. The problem is they rust over time even though they are aluminum, ugh.

[NurseJackie]

48. Yeah, I'd thought about that. We have very "hard water" here and the mineral deposits...

... will collect on EVERYTHING. I think we go through about a gallon of "CLR" per year. And we must drain and flush our water heaters because of this too.

I hope we don't get rust, but I expect some buildup. It's just one of those things we've learned to live with. If it only lasts 3-4 years, it'll still be a good investment.

[Meowmee]

49. We have hard water too

I am still using mine after a few years, it is time for a new one but I hate throwing this into the environment. Maybe a wooden one but that will get moldy 😳 lol. Not sure what clr is. Yes a good investment cause it will hopefully prevent and injury. I feel safer with mine but I think I need some grab bars too.

[NurseJackie]

51. CLR is a cleaner that removes calcium lime and rust.

[Meowmee]

53. Right

I think I have heard of that.. I am afraid to use a lot of those things due to having asthma and stuff like that.

[NNadir]

50. On the bright side, you lived long enough to need it. As I say to the point of my wife's total...

...disgust, "the alternative to growing old is dying young."

[NurseJackie]

52. That's a good philosophy. I like that.

[Duppers]

54. I've had a shower stool for yrs

Used to help me bathe my pups & shave my legs..

But the chair would certainly be a safer item to use as I age.

[NurseJackie]

57. I probably should have gotten this sooner...

... it would have been helpful for so many things.

[FailureToCommunicate]

58. Not sad at all. Age has little to do with gravity, and slippery surfaces. Heck, even Mr Right Stuff

himself (John Glenn) slipped and fell in his bathroom.

Now, with that chair, just also be careful to NOT stub your toes on the legs! (Trust me)

[NurseJackie]

62. Good advice!

[USALiberal]

59. Good for you! Nt

[NurseJackie]

61. Thank you!

[I_UndergroundPanther]

68. This is what I use when I need a shower stool

It's way cool and holds 300 lbs. Works for now. Use it when my back decides to hurt.

https://www.sciplus.com/portable-collapsing-adjustable-stool-66396-p

[NurseJackie]

69. What a cool design!

That's something that could find a place in our little camper.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

78. Just ordered one for camping and keeping in the the car.

Nice gadget, thanks!

[OLDMDDEM]

79. I agree with you

We just replaced our bathroom rugs (4 bathrooms). They were advertised as non-slip. That was misleading. They were not non-slip. Be careful. A chair is a smart move.

[NurseJackie]

86. Yep, I understand. No rugs for us. (Just a bathmat towel that gets picked up after each use.)

[OLDMDDEM]

94. That is a good idea

Thanks for responding.

[CTyankee]

102. We have a suction cupped plastic bath mat and put the tub chair over it. Hubbs is handicapped

so we keep it secure. Our house cleaner takes it up and washes it in the sink with bleach (to get
off the soap scum). That works fine.

[OLDMDDEM]

111. That is a great idea.

My wife's mother lived with us til she died. She was 91. We had a shower chair for her, but no suction cups on the plastic bath mat.. I think the suction cups are a great idea for that. I will tell my wife.

[CTyankee]

112. I got it out of a catalog. I get a ton of them. They usually have some helpful things but you

also might want to check a store that sells such items for handicapped people. We have one not too far from us. They have great stuff. I never knew until now that there were such stores!

[MineralMan]

80. Yup. We have one of those, along with a walker.

We got those things when my wife had a hip replacement. I also installed hand rails in the shower area at the same time.

We aren't using the shower seat and walker any longer, but we still have them. We also have my wife's mother's Rollator walker, folded up. We'll hang on to that as well. Who knows when we might need those things again?

[NurseJackie]

87. I should have saved Mom's accessibility devices... but we gave them away.

It would be a nice little savings to not have to re-buy them now.

[lillypaddle]

81. I have one, too

mine is more of a bench, though, and I wish it had high arms like yours does. I had gotten it when I broke my leg back in 2009, but it is in my tub for when and if I need it.

I dread showering these days. I get in and out very slowly, clinging to the wall. And of course I have a slip-free mat. I keep my phone on the edge of the tub so that I can access it easily. Last week, my son got me an Echo, which would work in a "Help, I've fallen and can't get up!" situation.

I've said it before, but I'm saying it again: Getting old is not for sissies or the faint of heart.

Buckle up, the ride gets a little bumpy.

[NurseJackie]

88. We have Alexa and Google smart devices in the house...

... that's a good idea about keeping one within shouting range of the bathroom.

[George II]

83. Not there yet, but I identify with the guy about 15 seconds into this:

[NurseJackie]

89. That's my husband too (and sometimes me.)

[brewens]

85. I had that problem but was way overweight. I had to hang on if I close my eyes washing my

hair I was that unsteady. I lost all the weight. My balance improved pretty early in the weight loss.

[NurseJackie]

90. Congratulations on the weight loss!!

I'd probably be better off if I did the same. Maybe after Covid is over, I'll find the motivation.

[SpankMe]

91. Not sad at all

There's nothing in the world wrong with any assistive aid that reduces your chances of injury - no matter your age.

You're taking care of yourself, and that's awesome!

[NurseJackie]

95. I probably should have bought it sooner...

... but it took a good scare and just one incident where I ended up saying to myself "whew! that was lucky!" before I was ready to admit it.

[jcgoldie]

93. Now all you need is one of these:

[NurseJackie]

96. Now that I'll be safely seated, that sounds like an excellent idea!

What WILL they think of next!?

[Maeve]

103. How's the line go? Do not resent growing old...many are denied the privilege

So try to have fun doing it!

I come down the stairs sideways, one step at a time, in the morning, holding the rail...and not just to keep my coffee from spilling. Next house is going to be a ranch style and a shower that can use a chair instead of one in a tub.

[NurseJackie]

108. I understand that! I'm grateful that everything is on a single level...

... and sometimes I curse the four (only four) steps that I must take to get up to the porch/deck. A ramp may soon be in our future.

[Brother Buzz]

104. Beats the Hell out of my plastic milk crate

All the razzing I get about my glorious old waffle butt is getting old

[NurseJackie]

107. That could be problematic (I imagine more painful than embarrassing.)

[marble falls]

105. Got mine two years ago. It has been handy.

[argyl]

106. After two knee replacements, I'm right behind you.

[NurseJackie]

109. Yikes! Nothing like that for me (yet?) if I'm lucky.

I hope you've recovered and that you're strong and pain-free!

Stay well!

[argyl]

119. Ones a little stiff , the other's just fine.

Running about 40 miles a week for 30 years might have had something to do with it.
I can still do 75/ 90 minutes on an elliptical. Much lower impact but you will work up a sweat.

[lunatica]

114. Thanks for posting this!

I ordered myself one! I guess I just needed that one little push to finally make my showering much easier and safer. My back starts to hurt very much when I stand under the shower long enough to shampoo my hair. I also don’t feel completely stable if I stand too long. I hope this makes it easier and enjoyable! I purchased a foot stool too so I can shave my legs. I can’t wait!

[NurseJackie]

115. Well... THIS makes me happy to hear!

I should have bought this sooner, but a recent near-fall event left my heart racing faster and a realization that it's time.

Yes, I'm most at risk when I wash my hair too. I don't feel dizzy... it's just that when I close my eyes and tilt my head back, I end up losing the visual (and inner-ear) cues that normally keep me balanced.

Be well, and be safe, Lunatica.

[Layzeebeaver]

116. For all People...

Every shower needs a chair, stoop, stool.

Makes like so much easier.

[NurseJackie]

117. And maybe a bidet.

Makes like so much easier.

I agree. (And safer too.)

[smirkymonkey]

118. I'm glad you brought this up.

It's not something I had ever thought of before. I am only in my mid-50's but I have noticed that one of the side-effects of menopause for me was a terrible loss of balance and it affects me most in the shower because it is slippery and when I close my eyes to wash my hair I am extremely disoriented and dizzy and am afraid that I will fall one of these days.

I'm not even old enough to retire yet! I have wondered why during Covid isolation I have been taking advantage of doing the bird-baths at the sink instead of showering every day. I still shower, but I just space it out to every few days instead of the usual daily "office courtesy".

There are times that I don't leave my apartment for days so I figure that I don't need to do the full shower daily and I am dreading the shower more and more these days. I know that probably sounds very unappealing to many people, but the truth is, the shower scares me.

I have broken an arm before (a few years ago) trying to screw in a ceiling lightbulb, so I am not confident in my ability to stay balanced at all. I live alone, so if I fell and hurt myself, it would not be good.

[NurseJackie]

122. I understand! For me it's not a true dizzy feeling, instead I just "list" to one side...

... and I feel unbalanced whenever I close my eyes and tilt my head backward (as one does when shampooing or rinsing hair). When I lose the visual cues of how I'm oriented in space, everything goes out of whack.

I've never had any broken bones as an adult. But I remember a fracture wrist as a child... I'm sorry you had a broken bone.

Be safe, healthy and careful!

[Polybius]

120. You're going to laugh, but I always thought that was you in your avatar

I just assumed you were a 30-something nurse.

[NurseJackie]

121. The person in the avatar is...

... Edie Falco, the actress who played the character of "Nurse Jackie" in the TV show on Showtime.

[Maxheader]

123. fantastic!

Isn't it great when you find useful stuff?

Looks good and sturdy too....

[George II]

124. Good idea, but still be careful. On another note, will that help protect you from....

....shower doors, too? I hear they can sneak up behind you and strike when you least expect it.

[NurseJackie]

125. Fortunately, we just have a liner and shower curtain (with a curved curtain-rod)...

... so that's one less thing I have to worry about. This will help with my feeling unbalanced whenever I close my eyes or tilt my head to rinse off shampoo. But, if I were to have a cardiac event... the chair would be less helpful. (I imagine it would make it easier for the coroner or EMT's to remove me from the shower. Well, that's a depressing thought.)

Anyway... yes, indeed... you're correct! I've also heard that shower doors can be dangerous. (For me, the thought of all that glass makes me nervous. Even if it is "safety glass" I don't feel safe.)

[hunter]

130. There's one in our house.

Enjoy it.

[NurseJackie]

133. I'm loving it!

Who knew?

[Buns_of_Fire]

131. Okay, I'm convinced.

After I read this thread yesterday, and having some BidenBuck$ left over, I ambled over to Amazon and ordered a bench. Thank you all for that final little push I needed.

[NurseJackie]

132. Be safe... Enjoy!