Bathroom fall related injuries and death from falls in the bathroom are common cases as reported by National Council of Aging. This session on how to make bathroom safe for seniors will highlight the common hazards in the bathroom that may cause and accident and how to improve bathroom safety for the elderly in our homes.
Most of common bathroom hazards include:
- Low toilet seats that can cause a fall when accessing
- Slippery floors of toilets, showers and bathtubs
- Lack of non slip shower chairs.
- Lack of secure grab bars in the bathroom
These hazards can be stopped by making a few changes to make bathroom safe for seniors, most of which are inexpensive and so very important. Let us look at them so you can work on the bathroom soon to make your bathroom injury free for you or your loved one’s.
Ways to Make Bathroom Safe for Elderly at Home
Install Toilets Grab Bars
A. Toilets Frames
Installing bar handles next to the toilet offers support to the elderly, the injured too as they sit or stand.
They are normally easy to install with no tools.
Can be easily removed
Here are some of the recommended options.
Bathroom Safety Equipment for Elderly
Wall mounted grab bars
The wall mounted grab bars are permanently installed to offer secure support when standing or sitting on a toilet
Requires correct positioning
Permanently installed.
Make bathroom safe for seniors
Install Shower Grab Bars
Shower grab handles are important for seniors with balance challenge or heavy. Most of them relyt on towel bars which are not made to offer holding assistance, installing a shower grab bar will go into making bathroom safe for elders as they get in and out of the bathtub or shower.
Install in places that are easy for them to hold so that they can comfortably hold as they enter or exit.
The shower grab handles are made for adults who are able to hold firmly,therefore they should have upper body strength.
Ensure that the grab bars are slip resistant and have contrasting colour for ease of seeing them.
How to make bathroom safe for elderly
Raise toilet seats with arms
Raised toilets seats adds comfort when using the toilet as they reduce the effort to sit or stand.
- They are easy to install
- Can be removed easily
How to make showers safe for elderly
Use Non Slip mats in the bathroom.
A non slip surface is very important in every bathroom regardless of the age of users. Adding a non slip mat in the bathtub or shower will minimize the risk if falling from sliding.
Also place a non slip rug outside the bathtub/shower or toilet, these are areas where you are likely to find slippery tiles that seniors are likely to fall.
Shop for the highly reviewed and bought non slip mat from Amazon
Visit Amazon to see more options available bathroom mats
Improve on lighting
A better lighting will increase visibility and reduce chances of falls. Nightlights ensures bathroom path and the bathroom is well lit
Make a bathtub safe for elderly
Place essential items within reach
Putting essential items within comfortable reach by seniors is a great way of making bathroom safe as they will not bend or stretch.
Installing a bathroom organizer or caddy at arm’s height will make reaching essential items easy.
The caregivers will also be able to easily refill or replace the esse