10 Easy Ways to Improve Bathroom Safety for Seniors

10 Easy Ways to Improve Bathroom Safety for Seniors 

As a society, it is important for us to take into account the safety of our elderly population. Bathrooms can often be slippery, dangerous, and difficult for seniors to navigate, so ensuring that seniors are safe in the bathroom should be a priority. In this blog, I will explain 10 easy ways to improve bathroom safety for seniors, along with the importance of each measure. With these changes, seniors will be able to safely use the bathroom without putting themselves at risk of falling or other adverse outcomes.

-Installing grab bars in key areas of the bathroom to provide reliable balance and support when getting into and out of the bathtub or shower.

-Installing a shower chair or bathtub chair to help make bathing less strenuous for seniors. ("How to Make Elderly Bathrooms Safer and More Secure," n.d.)

Seniors can take numerous steps to improve safety within the bathroom. According to “How to Make Elderly Bathrooms Safer and More Secure” (n.d.), effective bathroom safety strategies include aligning bathroom blockers between Rohloff units to avoid contact, placing a dust mat in the bathroom, plastering bathroom walls, installing grab bars around the bathtub or shower, and having a shower chair or bathtub chair available. Making these adjustments and including enhanced security features can give seniors the peace of mind they deserve while in the bathroom.

-Ensuring the bathroom floor has no loose tiles or cracks that elderly people can trip over.

-Installing grab bars in the shower, near the toilet, and in other areas such as the tub and in areas that elderly people need to stand or sit (Bost, 2020).

-Putting a slip-resistant mat on the floor of the shower to prevent the elderly from slipping and falling (Parker, 2020).

As people enter their senior years, it is important to take care of their safety in the bathroom. By implementing the above measures, seniors can increase their safety in the bathroom by reducing the potential for falls and other accidents. Additionally, adding grab bars, installing a dust mat, and laying down slip-resistant mats will make it easier for seniors to use the bathroom without fear of slipping or tripping. With these measures in place, seniors can enjoy the comfort of their bathrooms knowing that they are safe and secure (Bost, 2020; Parker, 2020).

If you are interested in better understanding how to create a safer bathroom space for seniors, our team of experts can provide guidance and advice. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, there are a variety of bathroom safety considerations for seniors, such as improved lighting, grab bars, bath mats, and optimized shower machines (“Home Modifications for Older Adults”). With our team of experts, you can explore a variety of solutions to identify what options are best for a particular bathroom space. Contact us if you would like to further increase the safety of your bathroom for seniors.

One of the biggest concerns among seniors is bathroom safety, due to their increased risk of slips and falls. Improving bathroom safety for seniors can be difficult but is important. Here are 10 ways to improve safety: 1) Sit down whenever possible, 2) Utilize grab bars near tub/shower and toilets, 3) Upgrade shower and tub drains to reduce risks in wet areas, 4) Make sure bathmats are slip-resistant and have suction cups, 5) Use a raised-toilet seat or toilet frame to assist with sitting and standing, 6) Install night-lights to illuminate the way to the bathroom, 7) Store items on low, open shelves, 8) Utilize handheld shower-heads for comfort and safety, 9) Install a tub safety seat for a secure entry and exit, and 10) Make sure all electrical elements are at least 3 feet away from water sources (“Designing Solutions to Support Independent Living”). All these steps can help protect seniors from injury and ensure they remain living comfortably and independently.

Bathroom safety for seniors should be taken seriously. Senior citizens are especially at risk for slips and falls in the bathroom. Making sure the bathroom is kept uncluttered and the floors are kept clean and dry at all times are essential for reducing the risk of falls. Additionally, it’s important to install grab bars or handlebars inside the tub and shower, and consider the use of devices that offer extra stability and independence, like raised toilet seats. Lastly, ensure the bathroom lighting is bright enough to ensure proper visibility and a step stool can be used to help seniors reach items that are high up. Implementing these easy improvements can greatly reduce the risk of falls and help keep seniors safe.

References:

How to Make Elderly Bathrooms Safer and More Secure. (n.d.). Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://www.adaptivelivingstore.com/blog/how-to-m...

Bost, S. (2020, September 1). How to Make Your Bathroom Safer for Older Adults. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/...

Parker, K. (2020, November 11). How to Make a Bathroom Safe for Seniors. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://www.caring.com/elder-care/in-home/how-to-...

Home Modifications for Older Adults. (n.d.). Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://www.aota.org/practicetools/client, seniors/household-activities/configuration.aspx