Generally speaking, there’s nothing to fear when you enter a bathroom. Most of us use this room of the home each and every day without incident. However, it’s important to remember that seniors can often have tougher times keeping upright. Do you have an elderly loved one in your home who uses a mobility solution to keep him/her from falling? If so, you may want to consider making some changes to the bathroom.
Here are three:
1. Brighten the lights.
One of the best things you can do to maximize the safety of your aging parents is to brighten the lights in the bathroom. It’s much harder to slip and fall over something you can clearly see. Yes, most bathrooms are well-lit. But don’t forget that, for many older adults, vision impairment is an issue. Install additional lighting in the bathroom to make it easier for your mom and/or dad to see everything clearly.
“Make sure the bathroom has ample lighting is key for preventing falls or other injuries,” urges Anneliese Peterson of Walker Methodist, “By keeping the room well lit, it’s easier to see if there’s anything on the floor that could become a hazard. Lighting is particularly important for seniors with vision problems or balance issues.”
2. Install grab bars.
Grab bars are always popular choices. We’ve heralded their use in the past and we’re sure to continue to do so. Arguably, installing grab bars is the most sensible solution to keeping older adults upright in bathrooms. They ensure there is something to hold on to keep steady. Grab bars prevent falls by helping for balance to be maintained.
“Install grab bars in easy-to-reach places to assist anyone with their balance and stability entering or exiting the shower or tub,” advises American Home Shield, “Bars bolted to studs in the wall are preferable to suction cup bars, which can easily shift or become dislodged. All grab bars should feature a slip-resistant surface rather than a glossy finish.”
3. Keep a transfer bench by the bathtub.
“Having the capability to remain balanced as you shower is a factor that most of us take for granted,” insists AgingInPlace.org, “But as you age, this ability diminishes. It is why shower or transfer benches were invented. With a transfer bench, you can sit and rest comfortably and safely as you bathe…Some come with armrests while others will have suction cups and height adjustment options.”
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we have a wide variety of bathroom safety products available. Among them are transfer benches. Bath transfer chair systems provide stable surfaces that span across the edges of tubs for easily and safely transferring in and out. They are adjustable on both ends to provide level surfaces while handles provide support for moving across the seats and into or out of bathtubs.
And, of course, we offer grab bars too! For more information about all of our bathroom safety products, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
