Statistically, the bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house. Prevent bathroom accidents, like slips and falls, by following these bathroom safety tips.
Contents
- 1 Bathroom Safety Tips for Seniors
- 2 Woodbridge Can Help Seniors Age in Place
- 3 Key Takeaways on Improving Bathroom Safety for Seniors
- 3.0.0.1 Bathroom safety is essential for everyone – but especially seniors.
- 3.0.0.2 Elders need a safe place to bathe if they wish to age in place in the comfort of their homes.
- 3.0.0.3 You can do quick and easy things to prevent falls, including installing grab bars and keeping needed items within arm’s reach.
- 3.0.0.4 Lower the risk of injuries caused by slips and falls by having a bathroom remodeler install a safety shower or walk-in shower.
Bathroom Safety Tips for Seniors
Are you looking for ideas to make your bathroom safer for older adults? Here are some to consider.
Install grab bars to reduce bathroom accidents.
Properly installed grab bars can help prevent the elderly from falling in the bathtub or around the bathroom. Place them in areas that may have wet floors, such as near the bathtub or walk-in shower. Also, install safety bars near the toilet to help the older adults in your life remain independent in the bathroom for as long as possible.
Make sure commonly used items are within easy reach.
Make sure all the items your senior needs in the bathroom are within easy reach. For example, reaching for the towel left on the sink may cause your loved one to slip and fall. Also, ensure extra toilet paper is within arm’s length of the toilet.
Be careful with rugs.
Many bathroom accidents are caused when elderly people trip over a loose rug. If you have to use rugs in your bathroom, make sure they have a rubber backing.
Install non-slip decals in your tub.
Bathtubs have slippery surfaces. If your elderly loved one must step into a bathtub to shower, make sure that decals are installed on the tub floor.
Prevent falls caused by water that is too hot.
People become more sensitive to hot water as they age, so set the water heater thermostat to a safe temperature – between 110 to 120 degrees. Bathroom accidents can occur if your loved one must move quickly to escape scalding water.
Update your bathroom design so it is more senior-friendly.
Prevent injuries and trips to the emergency room by ensuring your bathroom is senior-friendly. The first thing you need to do if you are serious about bathroom safety is to replace your step-in tub with one of the following products:
Tub to Shower Conversion
Eliminate the giant step into a bathtub by replacing it with a safety shower with a non-slip surface. In addition, have a shower seat installed via a tub-to-shower conversion to help seniors who struggle to stand while showering.
Walk In Tub
A good soak is therapeutic for seniors with aches and pains. But getting in a regular bathtub – even with grab bars – is impossible for those with mobility issues. Installing a walk-in tub is the perfect solution. Walk-in tubs are made with a user’s safety in mind. They have a low threshold, non-slip surfaces, grab bars, and devices monitoring water temperature.
Woodbridge Can Help Seniors Age in Place
Seniors need a safe place to bathe if they wish to age in place. Woodbridge Shower & Bath can help by completing a tub-to-shower conversion or installing a walk-in tub.
Key Takeaways on Improving Bathroom Safety for Seniors
-
Bathroom safety is essential for everyone – but especially seniors.
-
Elders need a safe place to bathe if they wish to age in place in the comfort of their homes.
-
You can do quick and easy things to prevent falls, including installing grab bars and keeping needed items within arm’s reach.
-
Lower the risk of injuries caused by slips and falls by having a bathroom remodeler install a safety shower or walk-in shower.