Older adults are more prone to falls. Weaker bones and muscles, poor eyesight, reduced cognitive ability, poor hearing, and diseases and conditions such as osteoporosis put them at more risk of falling. As such, making bathrooms safe for older adults should be on your list of home improvement tasks if you live with an older adult.
Injuries from falls can be as severe as fractured hips and concussions. To avoid these, install assistive devices in the bathroom, remove obvious hazards, light the bathroom, and repair damaged floors. Read on to learn more.
Assessing Bathroom Safety Needs
How safe is your bathroom? The answer to this question will guide you on the safety measures to help older adults. Answer these questions in your assessment:
- How slippery is the bathroom floor?
- Is the bathroom well-lit?
- How accessible is the bathroom?
- Is the bathroom cluttered?
- How accessible are the cabinets in the bathroom?
- How far are electrical appliances and outlets from the water taps?
- Is the toilet seat comfortable for someone with weaker bones?
It is challenging for older adults to sit and stand in the toilet seat without help. Again, it may be challenging for them to climb stairs. Consider what the older adult can and cannot do when making bathrooms safe for the elderly.
If you are unsure of what to check, you can contact a professional to help assess and install the necessary safety devices. Better still, ask the seniors which tasks they find challenging and what they think would help. If, for instance, they have problems with balance, they might request a shower seat.
Improving Bathroom Accessibility
Older adults have limited mobility. As such, there are several features you can add to make the bathroom more accessible for them. Here are a few features to consider when making bathrooms safe for the elderly:
- Create Wide Doorways – If the elderly are in a wheelchair, having enough clearance is crucial. A wheelchair needs a 32 inches wide door according to ADA set standards. Besides a wide doorway, sufficient clearance should be behind the door to allow the wheelchair to turn around quickly.
- Curbless Shower – Older adults should be able to get in and out of the shower with ease. A curbless shower can ensure that happens. Again, ensure enough clearance and the shower doors are wide and accessible.
- Install Bars on Walls Next to Shower and Toilet – Older adults find getting off the toilet and shower seats challenging. Installing a bar next to the toilet and shower ensures that this is possible.
- Keep the Bathroom Lit – With failing eyesight, older adults need a well-lit bathroom. Install anti-glaring bulbs to light the bathroom without straining the eyes. Poor lit in the bathroom increases the risk to fall hence can lead to injuries. However the Lighting should be bright enough for the person to see what they are doing, but not so bright that it dazzles their eyes which could result in making them dizzy and throwing them off balance
- Walk-In Tubs – These tubs are perfect when making bathrooms safe for the elderly. Unlike the traditional bathtubs, getting into these tubs does not require the elders to lift their legs over the tub’s side. Even better, older adults sit upright in the tubs, minimizing the chances of slipping.
- Use Automatic Smart Home Features – Have you ever struggled to get to the bathroom at night? Older adults with impaired vision find getting to the bathroom at night even harder. You can use smart devices such as motion-activated lights. This way, older adults with vision impairments will find their way without tripping and falling. Smart showerheads and faucets are even better for seniors with arthritic fingers. When making bathrooms safe for the elderly, you can integrate these devices with other smart home devices to make the home safer.
- Check the Height of Bathroom Features – Can people in a wheelchair use your bathroom’s vanity, sink, and toilet? These bathroom items should be at the perfect height for a wheelchair. If they are too high or too low, older adults will suffer joint issues when transferring to them from the wheelchair.
Assistive Devices and Equipment For Bathroom Safety
Here are some assistive equipment to use when making bathrooms safe for the elderly:
#1: Carousel Sliding Shower Chair
A shower transfer seat enables those with limited mobility to access the toilet, shower, and tub easily. The Carousel Sliding Shower Chair is a high-quality swivel seat for transfers in and out of the bathtub. It features a comfortable padded shower seat, armrests, and back. This way, older adults will never have to deal with cold plastic or metallic parts. These warm-to-touch parts are comfortable and slip-resistant, so older adults find them fun. Even better, Carousel uses medial-grade materials that are not only safer but do not absorb any water during use.
When making bathrooms safe for older adults, this swivel seat sports a space-saving design allowing more clearance in your bathroom. This way, it is convenient even for those who do not need it. It turns 360 degrees for convenience wherever the toilet seat or the tub is.
Carousel uses heavy-duty padded armrests that provide the support and safety an older adult needs. The seat’s high contrast colour makes it highly visible. You can adjust this seat to a comfortable height to make it usable for older adults on wheelchairs.
#2: Dr. Kay’s Adjustable Bath Chair
Dr. Kay’s Adjustable Bath Chair is a toilet and shower transfer seat with a simple but effective design. It can hold up to 350 pounds even though it is lightweight at only 4 pounds. You can adjust the adjustable seat’s height to accommodate people of different heights and people on wheelchairs.
Designed with powerful crossbars and anti-slip stands, older adults will find this platform easy to use. To get started, one doesn’t need tools. Instead, the wing-tipped screws are easy to screw with bare hands. Older adults will find the plastic platform comfortable thanks to the warped shape and the anti-slip design.
#3: KMINA – Toilet Safety Rails for the Elderly
Seniors need toilet rails. These rails help them exit the toilet seat and stand up after excretion. Each set features a stable and safe design that one can adjust to suit their height needs. Increase or reduce the height, width, and length to what older adults find comfortable to use. Thanks to the adjustability, the rails are perfect for every toilet. Once installed, the rails do not shift during use. Its stable armrests are comfortable and feature an anti-slip material for easy use.
Regardless of the shape of the toilet, you get toilet rails with a curvature that makes them versatile. Thanks to the simple design, you do not need tools to install the rails. The rails are designed for people with reduced mobility and can accommodate up to 330 pounds.
#4: Vaunn Adjustable Bathtub Safe
A movable safety rail is one of the ways of making bathrooms safe for older adults. Vaunn’s adjustable safety rail prevents falls for older adults and people with limited mobility. It comes in handy for people on wheelchairs who want to transfer to the toilet or shower safely.
The safety rail features a padded rubber clamp that you can attach to the sides of the tub for easy transfer from the wheelchair to the tub. Vaunn uses one piece of a steel frame for firmness and stability – this frame accommodates users of up to 300 pounds.
This safety rail is only 6 pounds, making it easier to move. Its handle is 12 inches long and works perfectly for right- and left-handed users. Each unit features a secure locking mechanism that ensures stability once attached to the tub.
#5: YINENN Bath Tub Shower Safety Mat
Non-slip bath mats are great for all types of bathrooms. When making bathrooms safe for the elderly, these mats are necessary. YINENN offers a large 40 x 16 inches non-slip bathtub mat with suction cups that ensure it does not move when irrespective of the weight of the users. With more than 200 suction cups, it will hold its position even on smooth surfaces.
Besides its anti-slip quality, the suction cups also offer foot massage making older adults feel good when they shower. On the mat’s surface are holes that allow water to drain off.
This mat is machine-washable, for you never have to hassle to get it clean. It is also durable to give you value for money.
#6: Medline Shower Chair Seat
A shower seat comes in handy for people with limited mobility. Instead of taking a shower while standing, it is safer to sit. The Medline Shower Chair Seat seeks to offer stability, comfort, and safety to older adults and people with limited mobility. It features a comfortable seat, padded armrests, and a comfortable back. Its stands feature slip-resistant rubber soles, so older adults can feel safe while on the seat.
The seat platform features a flat design and holes that allow water to drain. Medline uses a heavy-duty and rust-resistant aluminium frame that accommodates up to 350 pounds. You can adjust the seat height in increments of one inch to whatever older adults find comfortable. It only takes a few minutes to assemble this seat, and it comes with an easy-to-follow manual.
Making Bathrooms Safe for the Elderly: Safety Precautions
Shower and Tub Safety Precautions
With limited mobility, seniors find lifting their feet to get into the tub challenging. By lifting their feet, they increase the risk of slipping and falling. Even worse, the weaker muscles and bones may not allow them to lift their feet. When making bathrooms safe for the elderly, you need to consider some precautions:
- Avoid an Overhead Shower – Seniors will most likely use a shower seat thanks to its stability and ease of use. When using a shower seat, a handheld showerhead comes in handy. You can install the handheld shower with a few tools and get it running. The handheld shower offers adjustable flow, which makes them safer and more convenient for older adults. If seniors have arthritis, ensure that the shower is easy to manipulate.
- Avoid Traditional Bath Tubs – Bathtubs can be challenging to navigate. Getting in and out of the tub can be dangerous for older adults. Today, you can get a walk-in shower, which allows easy access for older adults with limited mobility. The shower should have no curb so older adults can easily walk or roll in.
- Avoid Standing in the Shower for People with Weak Bones – Even with a non-slip mat, standing in the shower can be tiring for older adults. For the strong ones, shower rails come in handy. However, a shower seat is more comfortable and stable. Such a seat ensures that older adults do not have difficulties balancing while standing on a rail. Shower chairs are waterproof, stable, and available in various sizes. Even better, you can adjust their sizes to suit your needs. Besides seats, you can use shower transfer benches. Although these may not be as comfortable as the chairs, they still make it safer for older adults to take showers.
- Always Test the Temperature of the Water – When making bathrooms safe for older adults, most people consider ways to reduce falls. However, if the shower water is too hot or cold, it affects seniors’ health. Very hot water causes a lot of blood to flow to the skin, which can strain the heart and cardiovascular system. Seniors with heart conditions will suffer more from excessive blood flow to the heart. If the water is too cold, blood flow to the skin and other organs in the body decreases. This, too, is dangerous for seniors. Set the thermostat temperature between 97 and 98 degrees – this is comfortable for all seniors. You can also install an anti-scald valve that protects the elderly from scalds by ensuring no extreme changes in water temperature.
- Never Leave Seniors with No Medical Alert Devices – Technology has introduced several wearable devices for seniors to enhance their safety at home. One such device is a medical alert necklace that seniors can bring to the shower. In case of an accident in the shower, the senior can press a button, and help will be on the way. Some devices feature a fall detector, while others are voice-activated.
- Use a Tension Pole – A tension pole is an extended shower bar extending from the Floor to the ceiling. Older adults can use this bar when they need support and balance as they shower.
- Prevent Falls with Non-Slip Mats – Non-slip mats feature suction cups that allow them to hold their position on smooth floors. This way, they protect older adults from slips and falls while offering a simple way of making bathrooms safe for the elderly.
Bathroom Floor Safety Precautions
- Use Non-Slip Mats and Rugs to Prevent Falls – Falls are common for the elderly. When making bathrooms safe for the elderly, you must keep the bathroom floor non-slippery. Although some people use traditional rugs, mats, and even lay towels on the Floor, these are unsafe.
- Provide Sufficient Lighting – Whether they are in a wheelchair or they are walking, seniors need enough lighting to see where they are going. This is especially important if only some parts of the Floor have non-slip mats. When making bathrooms safe for the elderly, use night lights with no glare to enhance visibility.
- De-clutter the Floor – Clutter makes it challenging for seniors to walk around or roll around the bathroom. When making bathrooms safe for the elderly, reduce the risk of tripping by removing unnecessary items from the Floor. Instead, ensure you have enough clearance to move around. You must keep necessary items within reach so older adults do not have to walk around much. You can get additional storage to ensure seniors can reach soap, shampoo, flannels, and other necessities without bending or stretching.
- Keep Floor Clean – Leaving soap residue on the Floor increases the risk of slipping and falling. Always keep the floor clean and dry.
- Proper Footwear – The right footwear can prevent slips and falls in the bathroom. Walking barefoot in the bathroom or socks or slippers will increase the risk of falling. Instead, seniors must wear low-heeled shoes with slip-resistant soles for stability on the bathroom floor.
Toilet Safety Precautions
- Use Raised Toilets – Seniors find it challenging to use the standard 15-inch high toilet seats – they are too low to ease onto them. Today, you can go for a raised toilet that makes the transfer from a shower seat or a wheelchair easy. If your budget does not allow for a new seat, you can go for toilet risers. These small pieces of equipment attach to your toilet, increasing its height by up to four inches.
- Support Rails Support rails can attach to the wall near the toilet or be free-standing. These bars make the toilet more accessible and enable the seniors to get on and off the toilet. Consider strong steel or aluminum bars that are strong and long-lasting when making bathrooms safe for the elderly.
Bathroom Sink Safety Precautions
- Use Cushioned Covers for Sink Faucets – Falls in the bathroom are dangerous, especially when an elderly person falls over a steel faucet. You can minimize injuries from falls by covering faucets with cushioned covers.
- Use Anti-Scald Valve – An anti-scald valve ensures that the temperature of the water coming from the faucet is never above 120 degrees. Even then, you still need to set the temperature of the water below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Use Easy-to-Turn or Automatic Faucets – You can go for automatic or smart faucets that do not require turning. These faucets are great for seniors with arthritic hands. You can also consider faucets with long levels and easy actions when making bathrooms safe for the elderly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the most common bathroom hazards for older adults?
Slips and falls are common for older adults: poor vision, weak bones and muscles, and a lack of balance.
- How can I make my bathroom more accessible without significant renovations?
Attach grab bars on the path leading to the bathroom and some inside the bathroom for support. Ensure enough clearance at the door and inside the bathroom, allowing those in wheelchairs to turn easily.
- Can I install safety measures in the bathroom alone, or should I hire a professional?
There are some equipment and devices that you can install without the need for a professional. These include assembling shower seats, installing free-standing cabinets, and installing a handheld showerhead. However, some tasks require a professional, such as demolishing a wall to widen the doorway. If you feel unsure about making bathrooms safe for the elderly, call a professional.
- How do I prevent water damage and leaks in the bathroom?
Check and repair damaged or missing tiles, repair decaying grout, and check for leaks on the faucets. You can also request routine bathroom maintenance from a professional. Other ways to prevent leaks and damages include winterizing your plumbing, using vent fans to keep off condensation, replacing caulking on the toilet and tub, and wiping water accumulating on the Floor.
Conclusion
Making bathrooms safe for the elderly is only one step in protecting older adults. After sweeping through the bathroom and ensuring it is safe, you must move to other rooms. Even with all the safety guides, seniors will still need someone in the house or someone ready to answer emergency calls. In the event of an elderly person falling in the bathroom, they should be able to get emergency help.
When determining what to install in the bathroom, the health conditions of seniors are an important factor to take into consideration. An elderly person might use assistive devices such as walkers, canes, and wheelchairs or have a history of falling.
The elderly may also have reduced cognitive ability, issues with walking and balance, poor vision and hearing, diabetes, or osteoporosis that may lead to a fall. Depending on what the seniors are suffering from and their physical condition, you will know which devices and equipment best fit their needs to prevent fall-related injuries.
Finally, the senior needs to seek medical help to correct vision, muscle and joint problems, diabetes, and any other issues that a doctor can remedy before preventing falls. This way, they will be safer around the house, even without assistive devices.
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