My grandmother, Rose, is 72 years old. Just the other day she was having trouble standing up while cooking dinner in the kitchen, so I had to cook it for her. It was then I had realized that she has trouble standing up for long periods of time. I know I can't always be there for her on a day to day basis, so I had to spend the very next day planning out my grandmother's safety for the rest of her fragile life.
I started thinking about the most vulnerable times of the day she could get hurt, and how I could prevent it. Obviously the shower is a big risk for her, so I decided to get her a shower chair. She could fall down and break a bone easily, since her body isn't physically stable enough to resist the slippery, wet floor. So I spent the whole evening yesterday, trying to pick out a shower chair.
If only I had purchased such an item a year earlier it sure would have saved my grandmother a lot of grief. I had planned on it. I made the mistake of telling her about it first she just scoffed at the idea. She just completely refused the idea. I was smart this time by wrapping it and making it appear to be a gift.
Last night I drove over to her apartment. As soon as I walked through the door, she saw the golden wrapped present, and was quite astonished. "Is that for me?" she asked. And I said "Why yes it is, Grandma. Why don't you open it?" She was very pleased with her gift.
I stopped by this evening after work to check on her. It was nice, she gave big hug and told how wonderful it was to sit and take a nice long shower. I am so glad she is happy and safe. I think now she will be more accepting of additional items around her home to keep her safe.
I think someday she will have to use a wheel chair. They even make rolling shower chairs that you can wheel around just like a wheelchair. It never ceases to amaze about the things people come up with to make life a little easier.
I love my grandmother even though she is a stubborn old coot. I say that with the utmost respect. I have tried everything to get her to move out of that old apartment. I just cant stand the fact she is living by herself. I have comfort in knowing that I have tried and provided her with things to make her living situation as safe and comfortable as I can.