Bathrooms, much like kitchens, can quickly become dangerous for
seniors, since there is a high likelihood of having an accident in this
room. As you grow older, walking may become more difficult and balance
may not be at its best anymore.
The good news is that you can take some
easy measures to make your bathroom a safer place for seniors. Here are some of the
top bathroom safety tips to begin using within your own bathroom to
improve your safety.
Tip #1 – Add a Shower Bench or Chair
If you feel a bit unstable in the shower or the bathtub, a shower
bench or chair can be a great way to make your bathroom a bit safer.
Make sure that the bench or chair is secure so you don’t slip off it
while you are in the shower. This allows you to sit down while
showering, reducing the likelihood of a fall.
Tip #2 – Install a Nightlight
When you need to use the bathroom at night, entering a dark bathroom
is an accident waiting to happen. Installing a nightlight is an
excellent idea, giving you plenty of light when you need to head to the
bathroom at night. It’s also a good idea to add a nightlight to your
hallway if you have to go down the hall to use the restroom.
Tip #3 – Don’t Grab Towel Bars
When you’re having a bit of trouble steadying yourself, don’t grab
the towel bars in your bathroom. These bars may not hold your weight and
could lead to a fall. Instead, it’s a better idea to install quality
grab bars at different places within the bathroom. Look for options that
are installed correctly and designed to hold a person’s body weight.
Tip #4 – Eliminate Items that May Trip You
Falling is one of the top accidents that happens in a bathroom. To
help avoid falls, eliminate any items that may trip you while you are in
the restroom. For example, consider removing any rugs that bunch up,
since they may become tripping hazards. If you want rugs in the
bathroom, look for non-skid rugs that won’t move when you step on them.
Make sure cords and other items are out of the way so you don’t trip
over them as well.
Tip #5 – Wear Non-Skid Footwear
Sure, you can place non-skid rugs, mats and decals around the
bathroom, but this doesn’t mean you won’t find a slipper spot somewhere
else on the floor. For this reason, it’s a good idea to wear non-skid
footwear while you are in the bathroom. Non-skid socks or slippers make
great options that will help keep you from slipping.
Tip #6 – Raise the Toilet Seat
Add a raised toilet seat to your toilet or purchase some other device
that helps to raise your toilet seat.
If the toilet seat is too low,
you could be trying to go down too far when you sit down, which could
result in a fall. Simply elevating the seat can make a huge difference.
Tip #7 – Consider a Medical Alert System
Unfortunately, when individuals fall in the bathroom, there may not
be someone around to help. If you live on your own, a medical alert
system may be an excellent idea. This way you get help if you do have an
accident while in the bathroom.
