This is kind of disgusting but it's driving me up the wall. The commode is ugly and it takes up too much space in her room in assisted living. She had one at home, because her path to the bathroom at night was a little tricky; but during daylight, she went to the bathroom. Where she is now, the path to her bathroom is actually shorter and clearer than her path to the portable commode. (She asked for it; the folks at assisted living didn't think she needed it.) Both I and her friends have encouraged her to get rid of it in order to make her room more attractive and to permit a better arrangement of her furniture and decor. Any suggestions?
She is 97. I think her contentment is more important than if others approve of her room's decor.
Maybe it's just the fit and feel of it that she's used to and she feels secure and comfortable. Which is pretty crucial when you're using it for its intended purpose, after all. I agree with Jeanne.
Really, if it being there gives her peace of mind (and nothing else), then keep it there.
Make a pretty fabric cover for it and put a stained wood shelf (board) across the arm rests and put plants or pictures on it. Get creative, but leave it there.
If it makes her happy then you're happy too, right? 👩🏼 💺👵🏼
How wonderful to have your mother at 97! I, too was lucky to have mine until she was 99, and like everyone, they have their distinct preferences. Think of it this way, at this point in her life she has limited control over things. She likely lost a lot of her belongings in the move to assisted living, she may not have control over the schedule for meals, etc. This is something that she has chosen to assert her preference about and that may give her a sense of autonomy. It may not make sense (probably a lot of choices we make in a day wouldn't make sense to someone else, but we have the luxury of privacy and everyone doesn't see our idiosyncrasies) but it is her choice in her room.
I say let it go. Don't let a small thing create aggravation for either of you-or lead you to feel she is not being cooperative. No one can come into my home and tell me that they have a better idea to make my furniture and decor more attractive-let her have this win.
Best of luck,
Margaret