Water combined with slippery surfaces make bathrooms the number one room in the home for falls. To help protect your aging loved one from slips and other accidents while showering, you may consider taking certain safety measures. Read on for four senior safety tips for bathing, presented by Anchorage Home Care Assistance.
1. Install Grab Bars
Bathing is particularly dangerous for seniors with limited mobility. To help seniors who have difficult navigating the bathroom, install grab bars inside and outside the bathtub or shower and near the toilet that seniors can hold onto as they move in and out of the tub or when moving from a sitting to standing position. The grab bars should be screwed into wall studs for sturdiness and must be at the recommended height to prevent falls.
2. Raised Toilet Seats
If your loved one has mobility challenges, a raised toilet may be a helpful option. This raised seat is placed directly on top of the existing toilet, adding several inches to the height of the toilet. When combined with grab bars, this option makes using the toilet easier by diminishing the distance between sitting and standing.
3. Use a Tub Seat
An adjustable tub seat that extends over the lip of the bath reduces falls that happen while stepping in and out of the bath. Combined with a hand-held showerhead and a non-slip mat on the shower floor, an adjustable tub seat can help prevent slips and falls while bathing. Have a family member or part-time caregiver in Anchorage place towels in an easy-to-reach location to further reduce the risk of falls.
4. Install Non-Slip Rugs
Place non-slip rugs in front of the bathtub, toilet, and sink to prevent falls caused by water on the bathroom floor. A non-slip rug placed in front of the kitchen sink and other areas where spilled water is common, such as garage utility sinks, can help improve the overall safety of the home.
For seniors who experience mobility challenges that make bathing and completing other daily tasks difficult, a professional in-home caregiver can reduce their risk of injury. At Home Care Assistance, our experienced caregivers are expertly trained to provide safety monitoring, mobility assistance, and help with routine tasks, including bathing, personal grooming, and cooking. To learn more about how our senior care services, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia care in Anchorage, can help promote safety, as well as your loved one’s overall health and wellness, give a Care Manager. Dial (907) 770-0907 to ask questions and schedule a free in-home consultation.