Help Amalia Bring Dad Home Safely

Help get Dad back home with a wheelchair accessible shower unit.

Hello! My name is Amalia and for the past four and half years I have been taking care of my dad David in rural Northern California, in the house I grew up in. Amidst the pandemic, for three years we faced severe water limitations, saving dishwater to flush the toilets and extreme water conservation. Thankfully we were able to secure a reliable water source with a new well, making it possible to continue caring for my dad in his home. However, with his decreasing mobility, increased care needs, and our small single bathroom, we are faced with additional challenges to being able to continue having him in his home, primarily a safe way for bathing him.

This month has been the hardest yet. After a trip to the ER for a fever, several days in the hospital on multiple antibiotics, Dad is currently in a skilled nursing facility 2 1/2 hours away. With Dad in a facility, my In Home Supportive Services pay has stopped, even though I am still commuting 2 1/2 hours to be present for doctor’s appointments and facilitating his continuity of care.

Our current bathing situation is as good as it can be, without significantly remodeling the bathroom. Our bathtub is abnormally tall due to some creative plumbing when the house was built. With the help of an occupational therapist, we found a bench seat that fits on top of the tub, which has been sufficient though precarious, until recently. Dad lost a lot of strength in the last month, continues to struggle with balance issues, and is at high risk of falling and further injuring himself.

I was ecstatic when I saw the shower bay wheelchair accessible, hard framed temporary shower unit! It is exactly what I’ve been looking for the past 4 1/2 years! It was designed with caregivers in mind to easily facilitate bathing. It has a quick disconnect hose that attaches to the bathroom faucet hot water, and uses a small pump and tube to drain the grey water into the sink or bathtub. No additional plumbing or construction necessary!

The units are currently on sale for $4,200, and a suitable wheelchair that fits in the unit is an additional $300. Both can ship in two days and are ready for use. Unfortunately, this is considered a “luxury item” and not covered by his insurance, which suggests the “cost effective option of a sponge bath” instead.

This would be a significant improvement to Dad’s quality of life, ability to return and remaining in his home, and simplify caregiving for him.

Thank you for reading this far, sharing this link, and contributing to having Dad safely return home if you are able.