Older parents

[afd660]

Just wondering if anybody has an idea or suggestion for a convenient water supply or whatever. I have older parents, 80s and mid 70's, they are still active and get around great, which is a blessing. My brother's and I live about 12 hours away from home and cant be there to help out as there as needed. The parents still go out and buy the 16 packs of water bottles and carry them inside every week or other week. Anybody have suggestions for water so they dont have to keep on moving the heavy cases around? Stuff like lawn maintenance is already taken care of. Thanks.

[Fman]

You could do under the sink filtration system which would allow them to fill right out of the kitchen faucet. There are a number of options on Amazon for under $75 that can be DIY installed.

https://www.amazon.com/Waterdrop-Capacity-Filtration-Fluoride-Chlorine/dp/B083NPW1DN/ref=sr_1_5?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.k94d3iaBvY1udawp2igi8L HI45shz_U4f5OF8FJJ9gcsEEiF40oNY-6diiYsHEGK2TH2lAknPzIgHz7pq3-GAMTJStWfeL59Tmj6eYLO9g6cvf1vMdu4RQq6fEBD7qTFiLCGE xCzrVHxCnhaADoNn1XglLhxLX-Rk4QuR8u6iwq-DK4BDuvnVhxjef2tccK2qROPm7wCe8DBHn8Yt8KfU5BsvragQb v0_BA3qoBEEuilwEKi6ter38gN1pTJtlrbUBKylqPCoqBakbhb _hT6Nh2_YtoS6TXQbdA2nA3nQFA.KdOdvD_9sa8nTs8UxpSUg_ Uuod_XfbBGA_wTbVvcbI8&dib_tag=se&hvadid=177778614416&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9193823&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=6073694804121195080&hvtargid=kwd-260309707&hydadcr=1864_9900189&keywords=under+counter+water+filters&qid=1722865499&sr=8-5

[Skuzzy]

Just wondering if anybody has an idea or suggestion for a convenient water supply or whatever. I have older parents, 80s and mid 70's, they are still active and get around great, which is a blessing. My brother's and I live about 12 hours away from home and cant be there to help out as there as needed. The parents still go out and buy the 16 packs of water bottles and carry them inside every week or other week. Anybody have suggestions for water so they dont have to keep on moving the heavy cases around? Stuff like lawn maintenance is already taken care of. Thanks.

Can they handle a 5 or 3 gallon water jug? If they can, get them a water cooler dispenser (Igloo bottom loader water dispenser (https://www.amazon.com/Igloo-IWCBL353CRHBKS-Dispenser-Temperature-Stainless/dp/B08B261RZH/ref=sr_1_6?c=ts&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A10wr_2n70En9Y92H29G0cKZn8yMu14Pc ShtvQJkuv--bG0S5sESdQ1n_KANtQpsDwkq2uvhwwlsVh8yTfLxb-uULmTN0cc716hiZ3Oeurj1Ls5RunG3ajIl_cx7jpivuXhhN4gG 85yY8MrnnFLPZmxeFqdC-eCJ0ggAMPYszBDnPAFPTuGmuxjbzSYEM5CXDjr2pSCsH5rL0Cx YylGM8Pem0tRH7BOumTxNcvYgUKW7y718cYOHRkNDkgN8SrooF g70qU0gPp5VFTATHAJO8waZYXx85syiUHM3i8EFSuc.J6nCoXU hclDBPzGEskbVRDVqZwgifvF8Re-CWh4l_RU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Water+Dispensers+%26+Coolers&qid=1722872613&s=kitchen-bath&sr=1-6&ts_id=6810587011")) and a water delivery service. Then you only need to deal with getting the jugs into the house.

[Quincy]

The trick for my parents is to keep heavier objects off the floor so I built some shelving and put a table out there.

They can break it down in the trunk or move it to table and then break it down.

If another customer does not help them get it into the cart and the store does not get it into the car, find a new store for them.

[JohnK]

I agree with the recommendation for a good under sink filtration system. I'd pay a bit more and get a good RO system professionally installed. It will filter out a lot of chemicals that non-RO systems can't remove. It's more expensive but will still pay for itself in less than a year vs. buying bottles of water.

[lance corsi]

I’d go with the reverse osmosis system. It’s probably the cleanest water you’ll ever drink. Great for coffee or for watering house plants.

[Skuzzy]

Reverse osmosis does have some limitations. Here is some good reading: https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1490/na/html/view

[rthomas98]

Question what state does your parents live in? For instance in Michigan we have the option of absopure or culligan that will deliver bottles or water cooler. They will even bring it inside for you. But I believe they are both Michigan only.

The other option is upgrade their fridge as well. I know mine has filtered cold water piped into it.

[CW_MI]

Question what state does your parents live in? For instance in Michigan we have the option of absopure or culligan that will deliver bottles or water cooler. They will even bring it inside for you. But I believe they are both Michigan only.

The other option is upgrade their fridge as well. I know mine has filtered cold water piped into it.

Was just going to reply with those. Many of our neighbors have gone with those. We filter through the fridge or Brita filtration pitchers. Luckily, my Mom is on city water.

[afd660]

Thanks for the replies. They live in the panhandle of Florida. They are pretty up there in age so I wouldnt want them to lift a 3 or 5 gal jug. I saw they make a bottom feed dispenser but they would still have to bring and store them inside. Me and my brother will more than likely get them a RO system, totally forgot they make them for homes. Its weird how simple things like water can be a whole thing, and now we are talking about remodeling at least one bathroom to have a walk in tub. Thanks again.

[Skuzzy]

I get it. I am 70 and we live on the second floor. I can still manage carrying two 5 gallon jugs at a time up the stairs, but I can see the day where I will be able to. It is not that far down the road.

[Windsor]

All filters need to be serviced periodically (annually, give or take).

RO filters also need the membrane replaced every 1-5yrs.

Any time you service the RO system, you need to sanitize the catch tank downstream of the RO membrane. Otherwise things grow in the tank, causing digestive tract distress in those that drink the water. BTDT.

RO installation is a mild pain to install with the filtration unit, waste water drain, and low-pressure catch tank.

Sizing the catch tank for your RO system is a juggle between how much it stores vs. how much space you lose under your sink.

One last note about RO systems, for every gallon of water it produces, it sends at least five gallons of water down the drain.

I did RO for about eight years, ripped it out to sell the house back in 2019. Since the "pre-filter" used standard cartridges, I converted it to a non-RO 3-stage filter (chucked the RO valving and membrane) to install in the new house. We've been happy with the results.