The bathroom is the single place in the home where most falls occur. You might think stairs would be the enemy, but the wet nature and slippery tiles of bathrooms give them the top spot.
If you have an elder in the family and you're trying to help him or her (or them) age in place, here are some things you can do to improve safety and accessibility in the bathroom.
Put Down Non Slip Mats
This is probably the simplest, most affordable, and most basic way to diminish fall risks in the bathroom. You can put down plastic non-slip mats in the tub and shower which will add traction.
Carpeted and cushioned mats elsewhere in the bathroom will also mitigate fall risks elsewhere in the bathroom.
Install Grab Bars in the Tub and Shower
Grab bars can help with an assist in the tub or shower, and can give elders a sure place to take hold when they need to get into or out of the shower or tub. This can also help eliminate the risk of falling.
Install a Shower Sliding Transfer Bench
A shower sliding transfer bench (or a shower chair) such as one of the ones produced by SolutionBased, can vastly improve comfort and safety in the shower. Featuring high-quality construction (as well as a user-friendly design that's compatible with multiple bathroom layouts) their shower sliding transfer benches are comfortable and easy to use. Consider putting one of these in the bathroom to eliminate slips and falls in the tub or shower.
Remove Clutter from the Bathroom
Removing clutter from the bathroom, while it doesn't directly make the bathroom less “slippery,” will make it safer to navigate. Clutter is not only a distraction but items on the floor, low items, and a lot of clutter can result in tripping which is just as dangerous as slipping.
This is another item to observe elsewhere in the home in which slipping and falling remain risks.
Improve the Lighting
Dim bathrooms are dangerous bathrooms, especially for elders and others at a heightened risk of falling.
Upgrade your lighting to brighter bulbs - LEDs are a good option - and consider installing a plug-in nightlight too, so there's always a little bit of light to help with accessibility.
Raise the Toilet
This is another affordable way to make the bathroom more accessible. For a few dollars you can upgrade the toilet with a seat or ring that increases the height, so it'll be easy to get onto it as well as to stand up off of it. Stooping and standing both are actions which place elders at a higher risk of slips and falls - whether the floor is wet or not.
Put Some of These into Practice Today
Most of these tips cost very little to implement, and some are free - they just require your time. Put some into practice today and make the bathroom safer for aging in place today.
For more information about Sliding Shower Transfer Bench and Transfer Bench Please visit: SolutionBased.
