More than 25% of elderly individuals experience a fall every year, most occur in the home, and among the more serious falls, many occur in the bathroom.
Unfortunately, this makes sense. Bathrooms are often tiled; they are wet environments, and slips and falls are likely. This makes them potentially dangerous for aging individuals, who are more likely to be injured in falls.
But there is hope - there are many things you can do to “elder proof” a bathroom. You can entirely eliminate risk, but you can manage it, with these tips.
Upgrade the Lighting
Probably the easiest upgrade you can make to improve safety in the bathroom is just to replace the lights in the fixtures. No need to replace the fixtures, even, just the lights.
Look at the lumen rating on a box of lights; that tells you how bright they are. Just make sure to use the appropriate wattage.
Add Night Lights
Another great thing you can do is install night lights. They’re cheap, effective, and can diminish the risk of falls. Make sure you get an automatic kind, though, either one that goes on in the dark or which is motion activated.
Upgrade the Flooring or Install Texture Strips
Glossy tiles are terribly slippery when wet - and dangerous. Consider upgrading the flooring with cork or rubber flooring that will offer a superior surface when wet, and which is more forgiving when fallen on. There are also peel and stick vinyl tiles that offer better traction than real tiles.
Alternatively, you could install peel and stick texture strips on existing flooring to add extra traction.
Replace the Shower Curtain
If the shower has a curtain, consider replacing it with a weighted version that will help prevent water from splashing out of the shower and onto the floor - you want the floor to be as dry as possible to help prevent slips.
Put Down Shower and Bathroom Mats
Remove any rugs that are in the bathroom and replace them with non-slip mats. This action will eliminate slip hazards and improve traction in one move.
Also, put down non-slip mats in the shower; if that’s not an option for you, consider adding more peel and stick traction strips, as previously suggested.
Pick the Best Shower Chair for the Elderly That You Can Find, Then Use It
SolutionBased is the manufacturer of some of the best shower chairs for the elderly in the entire industry.
Our ShowerGlyde series of shower chairs for the elderly is available in three configurations, the SG1, SG2, and SG3, each of which is designed to accommodate slightly different bathroom layouts.
Designed for comfort and security, these shower seats (which are also perfect for others living with mobility issues) can significantly boost the quality of the bathing experience while enhancing comfort and helping elders bathe independently more safely and for longer.
Alternatively, if you don’t think the investment in an elder shower chair is quite necessary yet, consider adding a bathroom bench to the shower to add a place to rest.
Install Grab Bars
Grab bars in the shower or tub, as well as next to the toilet, can assist elders with helping them up and down, as well as provide an extra bit of purchase to prevent slips and falls.
Install a Shower Wand
Add a new shower head to the shower that will make it easier for your loved one to use a shower wand. This will make it easier for them to bathe in a sitting position, so they will not become as tired as quickly, helping to prevent the risk of falls.
Raise the Toilet Seat
Doubtless, many falls in the bathroom are attributable to wet tile, but some are caused by trying to get down on or up from the toilet. Adding a raised toilet seat reduces the total vertical distance traveled, resulting in less strain and a lower risk of falling.
Keep Towels (and Other Bathing Products) Within Arm’s Reach
Setting up the bathroom for safety and comfort is as important as any product. Before showering, make sure towels are within arm’s reach, and that all bathroom products, including shampoo, soap, and washcloths are as well.
Go in There and Get Rid of Clutter
This is a periodic action, you can’t just do it once. From time to time, go in the bathroom and remove clutter so there’s less for anyone to slip on. Nothing should be on the floor and there should be little if anything on the counters that can fall onto the floor.
Set the Temperature for Them
If you can, set the temperature of the shower or bath water before allowing your loved one to enter. Allow it to stabilize so you know it’ll be comfortable for them before they get in. This will help reduce the risk of scalds and injuries that can result.
Get a Medical Alert Device
Last but not least, invest in a wearable medical alert device so that when mishaps do happen, help is never more than the press of a button away. This is especially helpful if your loved ones live alone.
You’re in the Right Place for the Best Shower Chairs for the Elderly
For our part, we can help through our lines of elder shower chairs and bathroom benches. Take a look through our collection, get in touch with us if you have any questions about any of our products, and bookmark our blog so you can check back for helpful tips like these.
