When you and your senior prioritize bathroom safety for her, that can help you both to feel much better about her continuing to live in her own home. These tips are a good starting point for you and your elderly family member to take a closer look at how safe her bathroom really is right now.
Remove Clutter and Add Handrails
Clutter anywhere is bad news for safety, but it’s especially unsafe in the bathroom. If there’s anything on the floor that truly shouldn’t be there, remove it from the room. Also, make sure that the flooring is as safe as possible for your senior. If there are rugs, for instance, they need to have a non-slip backing. Install handrails wherever possible, both inside the shower as well as on the walls.
Adjust Lighting
If your elderly family member isn’t able to see well, it’s harder for her to do what she needs to do. Swap out bulbs in the bathroom itself for brighter versions and make sure that the path to the bathroom is well-lit. That might mean adding motion-sensing nightlights along the way. This can be helpful overnight and during the day.
Look More Closely at Toilet Adjustments
Many people don’t realize that toilet safety is incredibly important. There are toilet seats with arms that you can add to the toilet that can both help your senior to keep her balance and raise the level of the toilet so that it’s safer for your senior. This is helpful whether your senior has help from caregivers or is handling toileting on her own.
Add Devices for Shower Safety
Other devices for shower safety are important, too. Handrails in the shower are just the beginning. It’s also a good idea to consider a shower chair or bench, which easily fit into either a tub or shower stall. Using a shower head with a longer hose can help home care providers to assist your senior with bathing. Non-slip shower stickers can also help quite a bit. Another item to consider could be a combination dispenser that allows your senior or home care providers to easily access shampoo, conditioner, and soap with one hand.
Look for as many ways as possible to make your senior’s bathroom as safe as you can. This can feel like a daunting project, but it’s worthwhile because of how much this can reduce stress for your senior and for you.