Tips To Making The Bathroom Safe For Seniors

By Author: Safe Step Walk-in Tub
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More seniors are choosing to remain in their own homes and not moving into live in care homes. At home they can find themselves restricted, their independence shattered. Bathrooms are one of the most dangerous places with the majority of bathroom falls being getting out of the bath.

If your loved one is still at home and the bathroom has become a hazardous place, there are a few things you can do to make the bathroom safer. Depending on your seniors mobility and mental health, you may want to regulate the water temperature. Those that have sensory impairments or reduced mobility may be unable to react quickly when the water temperature gets too high, scalding themselves. Remove this danger by regulating the water temperature to ensure your loved one remains safe.

Grab rails are a must in the bathroom which is used by senior members of your family. Grab rails are useful in getting in and out of the bath when they have poor balance. Make the grab rails visible and within easy reach, so your senior can hold onto something as they make their way around the bathroom.

A walk in shower with seat is a great addition ...
... to the bathroom if your loved one prefers showering or has problems balancing. The chair enables them to sit while washing, using the retractable shower head. The shower chair has a non slip seat, ensuring your loved one can gain back their independence when bathing.

The next option to making the bathroom safe for seniors is to install a walk in bath, ideal for seniors who want to soak in the tub to relieve muscle and joint aches. Baths are great therapy for seniors, but when they cannot climb over the high threshold it becomes dangerous, increasing their risk of slips and falls. The walk in tubs have a door that opens inwards, so the senior can walk into the bath and sit down.

Pay attention to the flooring, tiles are slippery when wet, so consider non slip flooring. You can also use non slip mats in areas where there is increased risk of water on the floor, such as in front of the toilet, shower, bath and sink. In addition to this non slip mats, their should be a grab rail nearby, further reducing the risk of a fall and injury in the bathroom.

Another option, especially for those that have problems getting up out of a chair, is to install a raised toilet seat. This eliminates difficulty some seniors have in lowering themselves onto the seat or trying to get p again. Raised toilet seats can be purchased in numerous heights.

To make bathing and bathroom experiences easier for your elderly loved one, you can move their essential items within easy reach, so they don't have to bend down or try and reach up high to get them. Use a shower caddy in the shower, that is low enough for them to get to when using the shower seat.

If your loved one uses a wheelchair, you may want to lower the level of your basin, so that they can reach to wash their hands without having to have someone help them. Ensure the bathroom has plenty of lighting, reducing the risk of poor visibility. You may also want to widen the door frame to accommodate a walker or wheelchair.

There are a number of things and mobility aids you can consider to help make the bathroom safer for your senior loved one.

About Us: Safe Step is a leader in walk in tubs and showers in the United States. This well-established Tennessee based company offers safety and well being, helping clients regain their independence and reduce the risk of falls in the bathroom. They provide a complete service from design to construction and installation, meeting the Standards of Americans with Disabilities Act. Safe Step offers discounts and financing, a lifetime warranty, responsive services and affordable prices with free consultations and professional installations to ensure that their tubs and showers are build for comfort and safety. Find out more at https://www.safesteptub.com.