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Vol. 7, No. 4 Fall 1999 |
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Home, Here I Come!
by JoAnn Tate
In May of 1998, I suffered two strokes and was hospitalized for two months. The strokes have negatively affected my ability to perform activities of daily living: seeing, speaking, hearing, standing, walking, lifting objects, travelling and working. Even though I received extensive inpatient rehabilitation, home adaptations for the purposes of safety, accessibility and independence were-and continue to be-essential. I have to admit that home adaptations were not the first thing on my mind when my inpatient rehabilitation therapy team was planning my discharge. It was not until our home was evaluated by the occupational therapist and physical therapist that I realized how many things would need to be changed.
Many Things Needed to Change!
One of the first adaptations to our house to prepare for my "homecoming" was replacement of the water heater. Because I cannot feel pain or temperature on the left side of my body and the right side of my face, the new water heater regulates the temperature of hot water (approximately 120°F) to prevent scalding. We also installed two sets of railings-one on the front porch and one in the stairwell between floors-to assist with climbing stairs. We also installed central air conditioning because I cannot regulate my own body temperature, especially during the summer months.
Every room required rearrangement or removal of furniture to provide
wheelchair accessibility. I ordered a lightweight and 
easy-to-maneuver wheelchair,
which helps tremendously since I live in a house with relatively small rooms.
Currently, I do not require the use of the wheelchair inside my home. I
am able to walk with the assistance of a wheeled walker, and I can climb
stairs with the help of the railings. However, I cannot carry the walker
up or down stairs. Therefore, it was essential that I have walkers on both
floors of the house. It is important to note that when using a wheelchair
or walker, electrical cords, wires or other items lying on the floor may
impede your mobility.
A Temporary Bathroom Solution
My husband and I have only one bathroom on the second floor of our house. Because I was physically unable to walk up or down stairs when I first came home, we ordered a portable commode for use on the first floor. The portable commode was placed in a corner of a room that provided privacy from the front view of the house. We draped a bed sheet across a tall, portable clothes rack and placed it on the opposite side of the commode for complete privacy during use. (A friend suggested putting up rods and attaching a circular shower curtain as a privacy screen.) We purchased a three-tier, wheeled cart to store necessary hygiene items like toilet paper, hand wipes, and paper towels beside the commode.
Minor adaptations were made to the second floor bathroom. Because I cannot safely stand to shower, we ordered a shower bench. To help control the direction of the flow of water, we installed a handheld shower. We replaced the sliding glass doors with a shower rod and curtain. We purchased a plastic tub/shower mat to help prevent slipping during transfers.
In the bedroom, we positioned our bed in the corner of the room to allow the wall to serve as a "bed rail." Because I cannot completely trust my sense of balance, I utilize the wall to prevent me from rolling out of bed. This keeps me safe while eliminating the need to install a railing for my side of the bed. Because our closet is very small, a portable clothes rack helps me to store and retrieve clothing.
In the kitchen, we rearranged the location of our pots and pans and pantry items. We placed frequently used items onto lower shelves and spaced them so that I can lift/slide one item without knocking over other items. We also purchased a three tier wheeled cart for the kitchen so it can be pulled to the place where I am working, making select kitchen items accessible. We installed an under-the-counter jar opener; it makes opening tight jar lids a snap. This is a great device for individuals who are able to use both hands but don't have the hand strength to open a jar. We utilize paper plates and cups when possible since they can be thrown away rather than washed, and paper products don't break if you drop them.
Having independence to go in and out of the house is very important to me. In order to pull the front door shut when I go outside, I tied a piece of twine (about 16 inches) with a loop at one end to the front door handle. I simply put my wrist through the loop, step out onto the porch and reel in the twine to pull the door shut.
Safety Modifications Are Important
Safety is always a vital concern. Prior to my hospital discharge, my husband contacted the Wilmington Fire Marshals Office regarding smoke detectors for the deaf / hard of hearing. Following the strokes, I am completely deaf in the left ear and profoundly hard of hearing in the right ear. The Fire Marshals Office informed us about strobe light smoke detectors. We installed a strobe light smoke detector on the first and second floor of our house.
Because I have a paralyzed vocal cord, I am unable to project my voice very loudly. My husband can not hear me call him if we are on different floors of the house or separated by a great distance. For safety reasons I carry a whistle in my walker basket and I have a bell located on the second floor.
I am not able to utilize a regular voice telephone or hear an alarm clock. I utilize a TTY (text telephone) to talk with family/friends, schedule appointments, etc. I utilize a wrist watch and alarm clock (placed under my pillow) that vibrates for the alarm, very similar to a vibrating beeper. I have been using the vibrating watch for 4 months to remind me about taking medication. The vibrating alarm is very effective and very reliable; I have not become annoyed with or habituated to the vibrations.
Finally, I have become very organized. It is important to me that everyday household items are put back in the same place; this eliminates me having to take extra steps to locate an item. Items are grouped together for similar needs and placed accordingly.
I have found that the above adaptations make life a little easier. They may take a little more time to set up or develop. Once they are set into place, I find that they are worth it. Home adaptations, either temporary or permanent, are an essential part of my life.
