How Do Als Patients Go To The Bathroom

Y'all might have stumbled on this page and wondered, "What is remodeling for ALS?" Honestly, we get that a lot; mainly considering it isn't something you lot hear nearly every mean solar day.

You may know what ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig'due south Disease) is, only what nigh people don't know is what information technology does to a person's body. Which, will explicate why the idea of domicile remodeling is so important. Essentially, when yous have ASL, your neurons dice. This causes muscles to become stiff and twitch, until finally a person loses the ability to employ their muscles considering they get and then small. Eventually, a person with ALS will take difficulty or lose all-together the power to speak, swallow or breath. Unfortunately, nearly ALS patients die within 5 years of being diagnosed.

At DeVol Blueprint Build Remodel, nosotros specialize in helping ALS patients and their families with ALS in the greater Cincinnati, OH expanse create homes that support them.

›› Schedule an ALS consultation

What ALS ways at home

When someone is diagnosed with ALS, information technology typically beings to affect them physically fairly quickly. In most every instance, information technology means that person is already in a wheel chair, or will be in the well-nigh future. This is where remodeling comes in. Mainly, considering there are a few serious problems typically in a home that affect their quality of life.

Getting into the house

First, people living with ALS in a standard habitation (and, by standard, we hateful a home that isn't attainable), they typically have no way into the business firm without someone getting them up a step or two. And, if they happen to use a power chair, it is most impossible to get i of those up steps. Yous could add a temporary portable ramp, but they are a little unsteady and can potentially cause an accident.

Of grade, if you're like many ALS caregivers, there is a lot of lifting involved in getting loved ones inside; either lifting the patient or with mobility devices. That can potentially cause impairment to the caregiver.

Solutions nosotros're using:

Adding a ramp at the garage to firm door or at the forepart door. Or, adding a ramp to the front door and making it look as natural as possible with landscaping.

›› Schedule an ALS consultation

Bathrooms

The second main issue is the bath. Equally we said before, a wheelchair is the most common mobility device for ALS patients. Traditional homes are not built to support wheelchairs … this is peculiarly true for bathrooms. Most bathrooms can't accommodate a wheelchair through the door, much less beingness able to maneuver someone into a shower or on to the toilet.

Solutions we're using:

We do more bathroom remodeling for ALS patients than anything. Remodeling and expanding bathrooms and then a curbless shower with handheld shower head can be installed. Adding a roll-under sinks, and higher toilets surrounded past grab bars. This allows the person in the wheelchair to shower themselves or take help from a care giver.

Kitchens

Non considered essential, simply many times ALS patients can cook, even if for a little while. And, but like bathrooms, kitchens aren't typically built for someone who is using a wheelchair. There is generally no mode to get to the stove, sink, or counters. Much less, items in pantries, closets, or cabinets.

Solutions nosotros're using:

In kitchens, nosotros add roll-under sinks, roll under cook tops with controls on the forepart, and lowered microwaves.

›› Schedule an ALS consultation

Other areas

If you or a loved 1 has ALS, and you lot want to stay equally independent for as long equally you can, think about your daily living. What practice yous demand to do to take care of yourself? Where do you lot need to go in your home? What do you need admission to?

These questions volition assist you place some of the areas that may exist good candidates for home remodeling … to help make things easier to use, easier to get to, and much more than safe and comfortable, so you tin maintain your quality of life.

Solutions we're using:

Nosotros've installed elevators or vertical platform lifts to get from flooring to floor. And, overhead lifts help people transfer out of bed or from the bed to the bathroom on a rails organization that can be electrical and operated by the client or caregiver.

We're also removing rug and putting in a hard surface like hardwood or vinyl flooring. Likewise as, widening doors or doorways and moving walls if necessary to arrive easier to negotiate the house.

If you lot or a loved 1 has ALS, we would dear to put our experience working with families affected past this terrible disease, and help make your lives a little bit easier.

Source: https://devoldbr.com/services/als-remodeling/

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