Practical Tips to Help Seniors Create a Safe Space in the Bathroom

Bathrooms are one of the most dangerous rooms in the home. Constructed from hard surfaces, bathrooms can be extremely tight spaces that are difficult for older adults to navigate, especially if they use a walker or a cane. Other factors can contribute to a fall in the bathroom, such as wet, slick floors, poor lighting, and clutter.

January is National Bath Safety Month. It’s extremely important that older adults take preventive measures to ensure their overall safety while in the bathroom. Here are five practical tips to help seniors create a safe space in the bathroom.

Switch to Non-Slip Bathmats

One of the easiest ways to prevent a fall in the bathroom is to swap out traditional step-out towels with non-slip mats. Non-slip bathmats grip the floor, providing seniors a stable, dry surface as they step in and out of the bathtub. Non-slip bathmats are also designed to absorb small amounts of water, such as the small drips of water that fall as you dry off from a shower. This helps prevent water from puddling on the floor, causing a senior to slip and fall.

Purchase a Shower Chair

Another easy way to prevent a fall in the bathroom is to purchase a shower chair. Older adults should have a shower chair readily available in each shower or bathtub that they use. This means keeping it in the shower stall or bathtub and refraining from using it as additional storage. Ensure that the chair fits in your space and has handles to help you stand if needed. Use the shower chair while bathing to help prevent a slip or fall.

Install Grab Bars

It’s natural for older adults to reach for a towel bar or grab the shower curtain to steady themselves while bathing. However, standard bathroom hardware was never designed to support the weight of an adult. They can easily be pulled off the wall, causing an immediate fall. If you’ve been relying on bathroom hardware to steady yourself as you navigate the bathroom, it’s time to install grab bars. Place them in the shower, beside the tub, and at the toilet.

Evaluate the Lighting

Many older adults use the bathroom in the middle of the night. Yet, walking in the middle of the night while still in a daze puts older adults at a greater risk of falling. Evaluate the lighting in your bathroom to ensure it is adequately lit. Use motion-sensor nightlights that can illuminate the pathway to the bathroom, as well as the bathroom itself. Replace burnt-out bulbs as needed.

Monitor the Water Temperature

Most older adults don’t consider their water temperature when they think about bathroom safety. However, it takes very little heat to scald the skin of an older adult. Assess your water heater thermostat and set it to no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Run the tub or sink facet and allow it to heat up for a few moments. Then, adjust the water temperature before you shower or wash your hands so that you don’t burn your skin.

As you consider how to make your bathroom a safer place this month, perhaps it’s time that you look into other ways to stay at home. Visiting Angels Chesterfield-Richmond is there to help older adults stay safe and independent in the comfort of their own homes. We provide customized care plans, schedule care in accordance with your routine, and get to know your needs and preferences to successfully match you with the skills and personality of a caregiver. We adjust to your routine to make sure that you are comfortable at home at all times. To learn more about our at-home care assistance, please contact us today by calling 804-423-6500.