Some seniors face challenges when it comes to bathing. As mobility and balance decrease, seniors are at greater risk for falling on slippery floors or failing to step over a high bathtub ledge. Fortunately, you can help your senior loved one prevent an injury by using the following bathroom safety strategies.
1. Install Grab Bars
Seniors may lose their balance if they step awkwardly on a wet surface. Have grab bars installed along the wall of the shower and bathtub. Make sure this is done correctly so the bar and supporting wall can hold your loved one’s full weight if he or she must use it for balance.
Having a professional caregiver nearby greatly reduces your loved one’s risk of injury while bathing. Elderly home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
2. Use a Sturdy Bathing Chair
Standing for long periods can cause some seniors to experience dizziness. Use a chair designed for bathing, since these usually come with nonskid surfaces where the legs contact the floor. A bathing chair provides a safe place to rest if your loved one feels dizzy, and he or she may find it more comfortable to reach his or her extremities while bathing.
If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of respite care. Danville seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable home caregivers.
3. Keep Supplies Nearby
Ideally, your loved one should only have to enter and exit the bathing area once. Help your loved one avoid having to get in and out by keeping everything he or she needs within reach. Use shelves or place a basket nearby, and stock it with shampoo, soap, and other toiletries. If the space is big enough, add two of each item so your loved one doesn’t have to get out to replenish a finished bottle of shampoo.
4. Add Nonskid Surfaces to the Floor
Bathroom floors are usually made from tile or linoleum that gets slick when wet. Bathtub and shower floors are also notoriously slippery. Use a nonskid mat in the area where your loved one bathes, or install adhesive stickers with a tactile surface, cover the floor with a skid-proof rug, and change it out when it gets wet. Make sure the rug lies flat against the floor and fits properly so the corners don’t get turned up around fixtures and create a tripping hazard.
5. Provide Physical Assistance
There often comes a time when seniors need personal care to complete their hygiene routine safely. For some seniors, this may simply mean they need someone to wait nearby in case they call for help. Other seniors may prefer physical support as they get in and out of the tub. Either way, make sure anyone who helps your loved one bathe is a professional who understands how to promote independence while also protecting dignity.
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide home care. Danville families can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today to schedule a free consultation.
