Aging in Place in Style
One of our graduates of the Aging in Place Home Safety Advisor coaching and consulting program and Age Safe® America member, Dr. Kris Rench shared this wonderful project with us!
His company, SeniorSAFE Aging, LLC was referred to this client through the ALS Society of New England. Although ambulatory (able to walk around) at initial consultation, he and his spouse were preparing for the neurological changes that were forthcoming as his illness progressed. He lives in a lovely 62+ community in New Hampshire in a home built in 2021.
The client asked if they could create a barrier free shower option that captured the tiling theme present in both bathrooms. SeniorSAFE Aging reached out to the builder to get the products used and went over design options with him. They utilized a 60×42 inch barrier free shower pan, and then the tiles from his floor were used for the walls, with a little accent row at the top.
During the 6 months of planning for this project, the client’s functional skills continued to decline. By month 3, he was using a walker for short distances and a wheelchair for anything outside of the home. He required adaptive equipment for his personal care needs and utensils for feeding. By the time the project commenced, he was using motorized, tilt-in-space wheelchair, and required the assistance of caregivers to complete his personal care needs.
Other projects completed within his home included the use of a personal emergency response system, 19 inch toilet installations with bidet seats, and he is renting an aluminum wheelchair ramp, which takes up an entire garage bay. SeniorSAFE Aging also referred his spouse to a private duty caregiving company to augment the assistance he is receiving from family.
Feedback from the family after use was positive, “…tried the new shower today, and everything works great. It was very easy to roll in and out. The added 8 foot handheld shower hose made a significant difference in his ability to clean his entire body! The rolling shower chair was a great idea.”
This is a great example of successful client/professional collaboration resulting in an optimal person-environment fit! Great job Kris and SeniorSAFE Aging!
Kristopher Rench, OTD, OTR/L, SHSS, CMTII
Senior SAFE
Aging In Place Advisors
1.603.263.4720, x800
1.508.685.5827 cell
www.seniorsafeaging.com
Facebook: Kris Rench