The Bathroom Safety Tips for Seniors You Have to Know

by Kim Davies July 26, 2022

It is no secret that the elderly are more susceptible to accidents. This is why you need to be extra careful when it comes to their bathroom needs. The most common causes of their injuries are slip and fall accidents in the bathroom. If you want to keep your loved one safe, you will want to pay attention to these tips.

Start the Day with a Morning Routine

You should start the day with a morning routine for the elderly, including getting up, dressing, and eating. These morning routines should be done slowly and cautiously. It would be best to do it with the help of a caregiver.

Doing this will help prevent falls and slips by ensuring the senior forms a habit with the help of another individual. Make sure to have your loved one wear a shower cap and use a hand-held showerhead. If they will be standing, make sure to have them use shower shoes or another barrier between the bathroom and their feet.

Install Bath Equipment

If your senior can bathe independently, you will want to install a bathtub seat. This will help them avoid possible fall risks. Other bathroom equipment to consider installing are grab bars and non-slip mats. If your loved one has difficulty with visual impairment, you might want to consider installing a raised bath seat with temperature and water pressure indicators.

Ask for Help

If your loved one finds it hard to do bathroom tasks, you will want to ask for help from medical professionals. For example, you might want to consider having an occupational therapist check your loved one’s bathroom skills. The therapist can then make suggestions on how to improve the safety of the bathroom.

Remove Hazards in the Bathroom

The bathroom is the most common place for elderly people to slip and fall. This is why you need to remove any hazards. Some common risks in bathrooms are excess water, rugs, and loose fixtures. If you can, use stick-on bath mats and non-slip bath mats.

Keep Things in Place

After you clear the bathroom of any hazards, you should have your elderly loved one avoid moving furniture around. When you do this, it will make it easy for your loved one to move about. This way, you also will not have to keep moving things for them.

Watch Out for Loose Tiles

Loose tiles are another common cause of falls in the bathroom. If you can, have a professional tile layer inspect the tiles in your bathroom. If you do not want to pay for a tile layer, you might want to consider using tile sealant. Lastly, If you are going to clean the tiles, make sure you use a non-abrasive sponge.

Put a Non-Slip Mat in the Shower

As mentioned above, try ensuring there is a non-slip mat for seniors in the shower. This will give your loved one a good grip on the floor. If you put it in the shower, your loved one will be able to take a bath on their own without slipping.

Conclusion

Your loved one will need some assistance with bathroom needs as they age. It would not be a bad idea to start by preparing the bathroom. You might also want to consider having a professional come to the house to inspect it and give recommendations on improving the bathroom. In the meantime, you will want to install any safety equipment. This includes non-slip mats and grab bars.

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