The bathroom is notorious for its slippery surfaces and conditions of moisture. We all understand the purpose of the room, so it goes without saying that the abovementioned elements are commonplace. Because of its makeup, the bathroom can present hazards to those who aren’t particularly steady on their feet. Many seniors, of course, fall into that category. Therefore, safeguarding your bathroom for your elderly loved one should be a top priority.
Improve the lighting.
It’s so much easier to avoid obstacles on the floor when you can clearly see them in front of you. Many seniors battle vision impairments. So, it’s important that they wear their corrective eyewear if it’s needed. However, ensuring your bathroom is well-lit is an important measure in preventing falls. Always be on the lookout for blown light bulbs and consider adding an additional light source if your bathroom is dimly lit.
“Walking in dim or dark lighting significantly compromises balance,” contends ViveHealth.com, “Adequate lighting (especially at night) is not only important in the bathroom but also along the route you take to get there…Set your path up with motion sensor night lights that activate when you approach them or turn on when the lights are off. These can be easily plugged into wall outlets along the way. Use night lights in the bathroom as well.”
Replace your traditional bathtub with the walk-in variety.
For many older adults, the act of lifting up a leg can significantly throw off their balance. This action, of course, is required in order to enter a traditional bathtub. To resolve the issue, you can replace your bathtub with a walk-in bathtub. It is designed with a door that opens up allowing for an easy step into the tub. Thus, the risk of losing balance and falling over is significantly reduced, if not eliminated.
“Walk-in tubs have doors that allow you to ‘walk in’ to the tub, without climbing over a lip,” informs Seniorsafetyreviews.com, “They also have seats in them, to make bathing easier, safer and more comfortable. Some even come with a full spa experience with jets, bubbles, removable shower heads, heated seats, grab bars, and non slip surfaces. The cost of walk-in tubs can be expensive, but if it avoids the cost of a caregiver, it may very well be worth the money.”
Remove all tripping hazards on the floor.
Depending on the size of your bathroom, you may feel inclined to use its floor as a storage space. It’s vital that you pick up any bottles, cosmetics and mats from the floor. A senior can easily trip over these items. The mats are particularly important because they are designed to lay flat on the floor. However, unless they are non-slip mats, an older adult can easily slip if the mat moves under his/her feet.
“Removing tripping hazards is essential for decreasing fall risk,” affirms ViveHealth.com, “This means getting rid of risky items such as throw rugs and general clutter in addition to being extra aware of any pets you may have. Solutions include towel hooks for hanging things, purging unnecessary items around the home, and safely organizing items into bins, shelves, closets, and drawers.”
At LifeCare Mobility Solutions, we provide a variety of home bathroom modifications including grab bars, transfer benches, walk-in tubs and shower chairs. Other modifications can be as simple as changing water faucet handles from knobs to levers. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
