The bathroom is widely regarded as the most dangerous room in a home, especially for seniors with limited balance and mobility. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, more than 33% of people age 65 and older will fall each year, and falling is the leading cause of emergency department visits and injury-related deaths. Many of these falls happen in the bathroom for various reasons, but the good news is many of them are preventable. Here are some bathroom safety tips to consider for every part of the bathroom.
Shower And Bathtub Modifications
If you prefer taking a shower over a bath, consider investing in a shower chair so you can sit and bathe. Anti-slip mats in the shower are also valuable to reduce the risk of slipping and falling significantly. And regardless of whether you primarily take a shower or bath, installing grab bars can help you maintain balance and regain balance if you feel like you’re slipping or don’t feel comfortable. Sometimes seniors get to the point where they need to sit down and take a bath but have a hard time getting in and out. If that’s true for you, then walk-in tubs are available to make the process easier, but they are more costly and require more extensive modifications.
Make The Bathroom Floor Safer
As careful as you may be when you’re in the bathtub or shower, you have to be even more careful when walking on the bathroom floor. Anti-slip rugs or mats should be used immediately outside the bathtub or shower, as well as in other areas you walk in the bathroom. Taking a warm shower can increase the humidity level in the bathroom significantly, and you may not realize the floor is slippery. Installing grab bars along the walls where you have to walk can help maintain balance as well.
Sink, Toilet, And Bathroom Storage Safety
If you have a hard time turning the water faucet on in the sink, consider replacing it with handles that are easier to grab and move. And if the sink or toilet is too high or low for you to access comfortably, then you may consider replacing them with newer versions that suit your needs a little better. Bathroom storage should also be a consideration since you need to be able to access certain items occasionally but don’t want them to be in the way. Consider storing extra rolls of toilet paper on top of the toilet tank, and keep your towels and other accessories in cabinets high enough to reach conveniently.
Next Day Access understands the importance of bathroom safety, and we are here to make the space as safe as possible. Sometimes all it takes are minor changes to improve the safety of a room significantly. With the increased risk of slipping and falling in the bathroom for seniors, the investment of grab bars or other safety products is well worth it. If you’d like us to provide you with a free home assessment and make suggestions to improve bathroom safety in your home, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
