[libramunoz]

Depending on the state that you live in and the services that your mother may need, you may want to contact your local DADS (Dept of Aging and Disability Services) office. If she has Medicaid, she may qualify for a HHA (Home Health Aide) or a PHCA (Primary Home Care Aide) to come into your house and help your mother with her daily care (as well as helping you while you're at work). Just check with your local DADS office.

The idea of changing your study into a bedroom is a good idea. If she does qualify for Medicaid, she may qualify for a pnuematic (?) bed, talk with her doctor about this, if she needs it. If not, the use of a regular twin bed or even a day bed would be the best thing to do. Take her shopping with you for the comforter set that she would like to have as well as to test the pillows. A good thing to look into is to get her the mattress cover with the eggshell type material.

Another good thing to do would be too look at your mother's shoes, both inside and out. Outside, you want her to have a shoe with good traction and possibly the use of velcro straps. May sound a bit weird, but it will help her with traction. Inside, houseshoes, they should also have good traction, and be able to travel well on the floors.

If you have wood floors, laminate, or other slippery types of floors, please, please, PLEASE, get carpets with a backing that can line the floors and the shoes with good traction. Why, you are probably wondering, I have seen many people end up in nursing facilities because of broken hips. It can happen quick, fast, and in a hurry.

Also in the bedroom, a good bureau and nightstand and lamp that gives off at least 60 to 100 watts. Helps with the vision. A t.v., a standard 13 or 20 inch should be good. Get good remotes and remote holder to put them in.

After this, she should be good. If you like pets, look into the possibity of getting her a pet. Or encourage her to join the local senior citizens community. This can, will, and does provide the MOST valuable services in being able to keep the elderly person's mind ACTIVE. This is what keeps our parents/grandparents as up to date as they can be, by being ACTIVE.

Also, in the bathroom, PLEASE, yes, do get the grab bars. However, go to a DME company that sells the grab bars, that can be moved, but suction (with a tight as unyielding grip) to the surface (?). The shower stool should be gotten from the DME company as well (NOT WAL-MART). The DME companies sell for weight and size and height. Also, DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT put in a rug that doesn't have a non-skidding surface (?). If needed, also you can get a commode raiser for the bottom of the commode which helps in getting on and off.
Hopefully this does help.