Is Your Bathroom Actually Safe? The Hidden Risks for Seniors

As we age, our strength, balance, and mobility gradually decline. Even the simplest of places can become hazardous. One such place in our homes is the bathroom. The day begins here and is the most commonly used place for daily needs, but have you ever considered how safe this place is for the elderly in your home?

Every year, millions of senior citizens suffer from slips, falls, or injuries in the bathroom. A wet floor, a shower area without grab bars, a toilet seat that's too high or too low, and poor lighting can lead to a serious accident. Unfortunately, most people aren’t concerned about bathroom safety for seniors. They wait until an accident happens, and then think, "I wish I had taken some precautions earlier."

This blog by Hunteram, the best mobility aids provider in Hunter Valley, highlights the hidden dangers that often lurk in the bathroom and how, with a few smart changes, you can make the bathroom a safe and comfortable space for your seniors.

Common Bathroom Risks for Seniors

Mobility, balance, and reaction time deteriorate with age, which increases the risk of accidents in slippery and cramped spaces like bathrooms. Below is a list of some common hazards every family should be aware of:

• Slippers Floors: Spills in the bathroom are common, but for the elderly, they can cause serious accidents. Falling on a wet, slippery floor is one of the most common and dangerous risks.
• Lack of Grab Bars or Support: The elderly need support to sit, stand, or walk. Without grab bars in the restroom or shower area, the risk of falls increases exponentially.
• Improper Toilet Height: Toilet seats that are too high or too low can make it difficult for seniors to get on and off, putting stress on joints and increasing the risk of falls.
• Poor Lighting: Dim light or darkness can make it difficult to identify and navigate the appropriate bathroom items.

The above-mentioned safety risks are not difficult to prevent. To make the bathroom safe, all you need is the best bathroom mobility aids for seniors.

How To Make Bathrooms Safe For the Elderly?

To make a bathroom safe for the elderly, you don’t have to work hard or break the bank. You can make a few small and easy changes and prevent major accidents. Here is a list of some simple and effective solutions:

Use Anti-Slip Mats

The floors of the bathroom remain wet due to constant usage, and seniors can easily slip and fall on wet floors. To reduce the risk of slipping, you can place rubber or anti-slip mats in the shower area, near the toilet and in front of the washbasin.

Install Grab Rail

If the seniors in your home face difficulty standing up or sitting up, install sturdy grab rails near the toilet and shower. By doing so, you can help your seniors get up and maintain balance more easily.

Raise the Toilet Seat

Sometimes, the seat height in the bathroom is not uncomfortable for seniors. They may struggle to get up and sit on the seat. If this is the case, you can consider installing a seat raiser on the toilet seat to make sitting and getting up easier.

Use a Shower Chair

Use a shower chair or bath stool if standing while bathing is difficult.  A bath stool will allow the seniors to take a shower while sitting on a bath stool, which will reduce the risks of slips and falls in the shower.

Install a Handheld Shower

To take a proper shower, seniors need to stand up for a long time, which may not be possible for them. You can get them hand-held showers, so that they can comfortably bathe while sitting, reducing the risk of slipping.

Note: With these bathroom mobility aids, you can bring a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors. However, make sure they are comfortable using the aids you are buying, or you can even involve them in the buying process.

Conclusion

The bathroom may be a small part of the home, but it can be one of the riskiest places for seniors. Slips, imbalances, and other minor carelessness can lead to serious injuries. Fortunately, these risks aren't difficult to prevent. A few simple changes, like anti-slip mats, grab bars, better lighting, and a toilet seat of the right height, can make the bathroom a safe, convenient, and independent place. For high-quality and affordable mobility aids for bathrooms, visit Hunteram, the best mobility aids provider in Hunter Valley.

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