Book your reservation well in advance, since hotels have a limited number of handicap-accessible rooms, and not all of them are alike. Make sure the one you reserve has the amenities you need.
Here are some issues to consider in choosing a hotel:
Are there steps required to get into the building?
Where is your room located?
We stayed at one hotel that had some of their handicap-accessible rooms at the rear of the property. The room was lovely, but was adjacent to a railroad crossing. We were awakened every 2 or 3 hours by the loud blast of a train. Guests located elsewhere were not bothered by this.
Is there an elevator? How far is it from the room?
Is it safe for your loved one to have her own room?
What if she needs to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night (or anytime), or wants to retrieve something from the dresser? Is there a great risk of falling? Is she easily disoriented or have a mental impairment that would preclude her staying alone? (Don't forget, she won't be in an environment that's familiar to her.) If so, it might be best for you to share a room with her or have a paid caregiver do so. Ask the reservation agent about the configuration of beds in the room. Don't assume handicapped-accessible rooms have two beds! In my experience, most don't. And bring eyeshades and earplugs for both of you. They work great!
If you decide that Grandma can have her own room and you'll book the room next door, don't assume the rooms are connecting, with a door you can leave open between them. Check it out!
About the bathroom:
Most accessible rooms have low toilets with metal bars to hang on to. This is not adequate for my mom. She needs a higher seat or she can't get up by herself. Does the hotel have a raised toilet seat it can reserve for you? (Make sure you're talking to someone KNOWLEDGEABLE.) If they have one, ask if it's possible for someone to personally go look at it and call you back with a description. Many raised seats do not have arms, and if you're loved one is very frail, that will not do. The bottom line is, if you expect that Grandma will be going to the bathroom herself, you must evaluate her needs and ensure they are provided for. You don't want her to fall!
If the hotel doesn't own a raised seat, tell them they SHOULD have one, and ask if they can purchase one for their inventory. It would be a very useful amenity for future guests, as well. (Don't be afraid to ask. At the minimum, you are raising awareness, and you just might get them thinking about buying one or two for their stock!) The best kind is one with arms. (See photo below. This is actually a commode, but the pot is removable, so the item can be placed right over the toilet. It is a great thing to have, since it can be used over the toilet or on its own as a commode next to the bed.)
Is there a walk-in shower with a hand-held shower head, and is there a bath bench? Grandma has to be able to get in and out of the shower easily and safely. Don’t assume all handicap rooms have walk-in showers. They don’t.
Is there a restaurant or other source of meals in the hotel?
Will it necessitate going outside or climbing stairs? I was initially skeptical about staying at a certain hotel in New York City, because it didn’t have a restaurant. After looking into it, I found there was a lovely European breakfast buffet in the lobby each morning, and wine and cheese in the afternoon – all at no extra charge. Grandma loved it, and so did I. If it's necessary to go out for meals, where is the nearest restaurant – and is IT handicap-accessible? How close is it to the hotel, what are its hours and what kind of food does it serve? Don’t forget that taking a cab to a restaurant is costly, inconvenient and could be difficult for your loved one.
Does the room come with a refrigerator?
If not, some hotels have a few on reserve for guests who ask for one. I found this to be the case with one of our hotels, so I reserved a fridge at the time I made the reservation. When we checked in, it was already in the room and cooling nicely. (If it turns out that you can't get one, and you have meds that require refrigeration, bring a cooler with a double supply of ice packs, and make sure the hotel is willing to keep the extra packs in the hotel freezer for you - and that no one will toss them out. If you do this, you will always have a supply of frozen packs. If the hotel won't do this, stay somewhere else!)
Does the hotel have a wheelchair?
If yes, ask if it needs to be reserved and if it can be used outside the hotel (probably not). There could be a lot of walking from the room to the lobby, and you don’t want Grandma using up all her energy before she even leaves the hotel! You may even want to consider renting or bringing a lightweight (16 - 20 pounds) wheelchair from home. The chair shown below is called a transport chair. It folds up easily and is lightweight enough so that it can be taken around town in the car or in a taxi cab.
Hospitality rooms or suites
If you are hosting a wedding or other event where other family members and friends will be staying in the same hotel, you might want to research whether or not the hotel offers a room where you can all gather and socialize, with or without food. A suite may be a real splurge, but in certain cases it could be a lifesaver. When one of our kids got married in New York City, I stayed in a handicap-accessible room with Mom, and my husband stayed in a small suite down the hall. We had several casual suppers with other family members in my husband's room, sitting around a coffee table, enjoying pizza and Thai food, which someone had gotten from a restaurant down the street. It was fun and low key, and enabled Grandma and me and the rest of the family (including our new inlaws!) to relax and hang out together, without going to a restaurant.
Bring a nightlight!
Two hotels that were very responsive to my requests:
In New York City: Hotel Giraffe http://www.hotelgiraffe.com/
In Marina del Rey (Los Angeles area):
Marina del Rey Marriott http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxmb-marina-del-rey-marriott/
In the end, if the hotel you are considering can’t provide you with the type of accessibility needed, go somewhere else if possible. The point is, do your research in advance, come prepared, and don’t assume anything!
See Blog Archive in left sidebar for other posts:
Packing (March 11)
Freecycle (Feb. 17)
Renting a Car (Feb. 2)
Paid Caregivers (Jan. 13)
Meds, Meds, Meds (Dec. 14)
Expectations (Oct. 26)
Planning (Oct. 23)
