3 replies to this topic

[NegativeEntropy]

I got a new job in San Diego (Carlsbad) and I've been calling different apartment complexes for a place to live that has a roll-in shower. No luck so far. Believe it or not I've been able to find apartments with roll-in showers in the previous three cities I've been in, but I'm worried I'm not going to find something in San Diego. Does anyone here have any good suggestions or places to look?

[wheeliebear75]

Well there are a couple of disabled/senior apartments in DOWN TOWN San Diego. Horton House is one of them & there are several others within rolling distance. These apartments go by your income to find what your rent will be usually it's 1/3 or 30% of your monthly income. Thing is there are a lot of people already on the waiting list for an apartment. I also know of a couple in the eastern part of the county in La Mesa & El Cajon......but I don't know of ANY in the north county (Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Fallbrook, Encinitas, Del Mar) You'd have a heck of a commute from the ones in the south east such as La Mesa or El Cajon.....and from Down Town although you can take the coaster & get to the Carlsbad station in under an hr it would depend on how far your work is from there AND if it is even on a bus-line.

If you don't drive there is "para-transit" or fixed route. Para-transit has a few rules/limits & you have to be certified to use it......which they're all linked together but it depends on where in the county you're going; there is "LIFT" in the north county, CTS in the eastern part like La Mesa or San Te, & for the main part of SAN DIEGO (vs one of the cities on the outskirts) you take MTS....& the 3 entities of para-transit have to iron out when to pick you up.....so if you do use it/them make sure you have them dropping you off EARLY or else you WILL be late.

Is it "IMPOSSIBLE" for you to use a hoyer lift or a transfer board to use a shower bench?

Hope this helps at least somewhat & congrats on the new job.

[NegativeEntropy]

Thanks so much for the info wheeliebear! I might be able to use a transfer board or just straight-up transfer to a bench. But as a C5 it's very risky especially when you add a slippery bench and a chair that doesn't stay put when the floor is wet tile. It's looking like I might have to just suck it up and be extra careful and not fall. I'm still looking and calling places, but my confidence is getting lower and lower. I'm even considering having a company come in and modify one of the showers in an apartment. That would be expensive ($4k - $8k) but it might be worth it so that I can shower easier, faster, safer. The number one goal is to retain my independence so any lift system is out of the question.

Luckily, I have a modified vehicle so transportation shouldn't be a problem unless my truck is in the shop. The info you gave is still good to know though.

[wheeliebear75]

NegativeEntropy, on 06 October 2011 - 09:30 PM, said:

Thanks so much for the info wheeliebear! I might be able to use a transfer board or just straight-up transfer to a bench. But as a C5 it's very risky especially when you add a slippery bench and a chair that doesn't stay put when the floor is wet tile. It's looking like I might have to just suck it up and be extra careful and not fall. I'm still looking and calling places, but my confidence is getting lower and lower. I'm even considering having a company come in and modify one of the showers in an apartment. That would be expensive ($4k - $8k) but it might be worth it so that I can shower easier, faster, safer. The number one goal is to retain my independence so any lift system is out of the question.

Luckily, I have a modified vehicle so transportation shouldn't be a problem unless my truck is in the shop. The info you gave is still good to know though.

If you CAN use a transfer board than I think you may be able to do things on your own....or perhaps with a LITTLE help. I've never noticed my shower chairs/benches moving that much on me.....maybe some of those sticky no-slip-grips (often in the shape of flowers or fish & adhesive on one side) strategically placed under where the legs of your shower chair would sit? If you rent.....good luck getting them to give you permission to do any major changes....smaller things like putting an interior door in a closet & hanging up a shower-curtain is AOK (make sure it's OK BEFORE you take off any doors or they may flip out) because once you move out the doors can be put back on & it'd be as though the doors popped back out of a time capsule as unscratched & un-dented as the day you moved IN.

As a "safety precaution" what about having a buddy who is CLOSE....you call them as you get IN the shower & about how long you think it'll take you, then they call back maybe 5-10 minutes longer than what you said it'd take you OR you call them saying you're out & AOK, if you don't call/answer when they call.....THEN they come rushing over.....this way "you're on your own" but with a safety rope.