How often you do you take a shower? We’re willing to bet that it’s likely a daily activity. Especially with the warmer weather arriving with the start of summer this month, showering is something you might just be doing more often than normal. However, if you’re senior citizen, you might think shower time isn’t all that fun. The risk of slipping and falling may be too great for you to consider taking a shower every day.
It’s important to make your bathroom area safe as safe as possible. This is especially true if you live with an older adult. Here are three steps to keeping shower time safe for seniors:
1. Do your best to keep the floors dry.
It’s important to go on regular wipe up missions. Most of us simply take for granted that, once we’re dry, the bathroom area doesn’t require any maintenance. How much do you drip on the floor when exiting the shower? The truth is we don’t really pay attention to that, do we? Keep your floors dry as best you can. This chore will ensure that slips and falls are a lot less likely to take place anywhere in the bathroom.
“Wet or damp floors, in and around the shower, present a significant risk of slipping and falling,” warns Scott Grant on GrayingWithGrace.com, “Keep the floors clear and dry at all times. To reduce the amount of water, keep the shower curtain tucked inside the shower edge at all times.”
2. Test the waters.
It’s vital that you ensure the water used during shower time isn’t too hot or too cold. Extreme temperatures are damaging to the skin. Just as importantly, the startling effect of water that is either too hot or too cold can make a senior citizen slip and fall. Whether your elderly loved one is taking a bath or shower, make sure that the water is a comfortable temperature.
“Test the bath water before letting the patient enter the tub or shower,” agrees Caregiver-Aid, “Let the senior test it with a finger or toe to see if it is comfortable for them. Even if the person can bathe herself, the caregiver should stay alert and watch and listen, so she can respond immediately to a problem when the patient is bathing independently.”
3. Make use of a transfer bench.
Transfer benches are particularly handy for wheelchair, walker or rollator users. These solutions make it much easier to transfer a person from a wheelchair to a shower chair. Many mobility solution users have difficulties with lifting their legs. By using a transfer bench, you don’t have to lift your legs over the side of the tub from a standing position.
“A bath bench eliminates the problem of stepping in and out of the tub,” says Comfort Keepers, “Users can safely get by sitting down on the bench outside of the tub, then sliding over safely into the tub.
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we don’t just offer transfer benches, but grab bars and bath chairs among numerous other bath safety products! To learn more, 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!
