Grab Bars, Poles & Transfer Devices
Grab Bars are, without question, one of the first things recommended to help provide safety in the most dangerous room in the home: the bathroom. More slips and falls occur here than anywhere else, leading as the number one killer of older adults. Truly, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this regard, and having properly placed and correctly installed grab bars is something that HomeBase Solutions knows how to do.
Not all grab bars have to look like the ones in a public facility, however. Our mantra of “How to Keep a House Looking Like a Home and Not a Hospital.” is supported by special grab bars (pun intended). We have found some wonderful bars that blend seamlessly into the bathroom décor and even function as other uses, like an actual towel bar or shampoo shelf.
There are other alternatives to grab bars that you and/or your occupational therapist may find a huge benefit, and some of them do not require permanently attaching to your walls. This a huge benefit, and some of them do not require permanently attaching to your walls. This can be a huge plus if the need is temporary in nature (like for rehabilitation or a guest with disabilities). The SuperPole, pictured below, is great for this. When equipped with the SuperBar, it can make getting in and out of the shower, tub, or making use of the toilet much easier. Or, as one of our projects included, next to a bed for making safe transfers and repositioning.
Another great option for clients who need the support in getting on and off a toilet comes in two forms. The first, still in the Grab Bar category, is the PT Rail. As the picture below shows, it has a left and right version that flip down for use and up when not needed. On either side of the commode, these bars are a wonderful asset for safely getting on and off the toilet. The other great option is the TILT (Toilet Incline Lift). As seen in the other picture below, it works a lot like the recliners that help a person get to and from standing and seated positions.
Rehabilitation was mentioned earlier and that, of course, is where some great products are used. HomeBase Solutions is a proud Arjo dealer and their Sara Stedy, as seen below, is one of the most prominent devices used in rehab to ensure the safety of the patient. So many people want this when they get home, but it is not easy to find… until now. HomeBase Solutions is your place to get a Sara Stedy or any other Arjo equipment (like their floor lift, MaxiMove, also seen here).
Also used extensively in rehabilitation, the MOVE™ program, and in any situation where having someone stabilized while transferring or walking, is a gait belt. These are often as simple as something that looks a lot like a luggage strap or, the ones we prefer, like the Romedic product pictured here. Notice the horizontal and vertical straps of this belt, all intended to provide dedicated grab points that do not require tucking one’s fingers under the aforementioned mentioned “luggage strap”. Tip: Put a gait belt on the person needing help as well as the person helping so that there can be a dedicated place on both people to grab. This encourages participation, too, something that we believe lends to dignity for the one needing help.
Remodeling to accommodate a disability is something we know very well. In fact, you can see that we’ve won some national awards for our work (like the two pictures at the top of this page). The funds and time required for these extensive remodels does not always exist, so we are very happy to provide some solutions that do not require much of either.
The first is the Shower Buddy. This product comes in a variety of forms to accommodate bathtubs or curbed showers, toilets, and other client needs. As the picture below depicts, the rolling base can be used to make a transfer in any room, and then brought into the bathroom to “marry” up to the bridge that goes over the tub or curb, allowing the seat to then slide across and into the bathing area. This has been an incredible solution for some of our clients who wanted the solution faster and less expensive than a remodel.
At HomeBase Solutions, we work with you to find the most appropriate solution to make your home safe and accessible. If your budget is extensive, we can help design an award-winning way to get in and out of your home.
Or, if you are budget-constrained, we will gladly work with you to find a safe and elegant way to get in and out that won’t break the bank. Just give us a call today to set up an appointment to see what solutions are most appropriate for you!