You can never be too safe in the bathroom. Although it’s a room in the home that we use repeatedly, it should never be taken for granted. Obviously, a bathroom has slippery surfaces that make it easier to slip and fall. It is especially important to make your bathroom slip-free if it is regularly used by a senior.
Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time our blog has touched upon the importance of keeping your bathroom safe. And it won’t be the last! Let’s take a look at some important safety measures you can take to safeguard your bathroom.
Utilize shower chairs and transfer benches.
If you shower from a seated position, you are a lot less likely to slip and fall. In fact, it’s just about impossible to fall while seated! Both shower chairs and transfer benches are ideal for seniors and people with mobility issues who have difficulty staying balanced while standing. On UpliftingMobility.com, professional caregiver, Tim Brewer gives a rundown of the benefits of each product.
“Shower chairs give seniors the stability they need for safe showering, and also provide a place to rest,” he writes, “Opt for a chair that has rubber tips on the legs, which will provide the non-slip grip and prevent the chair from sliding. A bathtub transfer bench is for those people who have considerable trouble getting in and out of a shower. The bench starts on the outside of the tub. When you sit on it, you gradually slide the seat into the shower.”
Install grab bars in the shower.
Grab bars provide all bathroom users with stability. Unlike towel racks, grab bars can support the weight of full-grown adults. Installing them in the bathroom gives users something to grab onto – hence their name. As manager of marketing and digital experience at Intrepid USA, Rachel Albin notes, grab bars are an excellent and economical alternative to help older adults move in and around the shower or bathtub.
“Many seniors depend on towel bars to keep their balance getting in and out of the bathtub or shower,” she writes, “But these bars are meant for hanging a towel to dry, and they are not intended to hold more than a few pounds. Using them as support in a slippery bathroom is a disaster waiting to happen.”
Trade in your old tub for the walk-in variety.
Sometimes, the seemingly simple task of lifting your leg to enter a bathtub can produce injury-inducing outcomes. One of the top methods of eliminating slips and falls in the bathroom is to prevent losses of balance. With a walk-in tub, an individual does not have to climb into the tub. Instead, he/she opens the door to walk into the tub without taking any huge steps.
“A walk-in tub is a great option for seniors who do not want to take the risk of falling while getting into or out of the bathtub,” affirms Brewer, “These tubs have doors that allow users to walk in and sit down without having to worry about climbing over a traditional tub ledge.”
At LifeCare Mobility Solutions, we offer a wide variety of high-quality home bathroom modifications. They include shower chairs, transfer benches, grab bars, walk-in tubs and so much more! For more information, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@seodevelopmentserver.com. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
