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Safety Checklist: Bathroom Safety For Seniors
Lisa Reisman • Aug 28, 2019
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Senior Safety Checklist: Bathroom Safety For Seniors
Senior falls that occur in the home are a major concern for caregivers. According to the CDC, one in three seniors falls each year, with 20 percent of these falls resulting in a serious injury, such as a broken bone or head trauma. Seniors who suffer hip fractures are often hospitalized and many have difficulty recovering the independence they enjoyed prior to the injury.
While these facts present a serious cause for concern, the good news is that most senior falls that happen in the home can be prevented by proactively creating a safe environment for your loved one. Although the entire home should be equipped with safety precautions, it is wise to start by considering bathroom safety for seniors. The bathroom is a part of the home that is frequently visited, and slipping is a real possibility, especially when water and wet towels are left on the floor.
Make the bathroom a safe place for your elderly loved one with this checklist to prevent falls and other injuries. The list organizes tips into four categories: general, tub, toilet, and nighttime.
Safety Checklist: The Bathroom
A. General
1. Keep frequently used items in an easily accessible location. Evaluate how often your loved one uses various bathroom items and make sure that the ones used daily are accessible. This will reduce the need for the senior to bend down, reach up, or use a step stool to reach necessary items. If medication is part of the daily routine, place a pill organizer on the counter to keep medications in reach and organized, eliminating the need for the senior to move around the bathroom in search of various pill bottles.
2. Clear the clutter. Remove unnecessary items from the sink counter and walkways. Clutter can lead to confusion and pose a fall hazard.
3. Use low-profile bath mats. If you have bath mats on the floor, be sure they are low profile so they don't cause a fall. Ensure that it has a rubber back to keep it firmly in place on the floor and that it can effectively wick away excess water.
4. Install grab bars in multiple locations, but especially:
Near the shower
In the shower
Near the toilet
Grab bars can prevent a fall from becoming serious by allowing your loved one to catch themselves. It is best to secure them using wall studs.
B. The Tub
1. Secure a rubber mat with powerful adhesive onto the tub to prevent slips. Test it out thoroughly, and apply extra adhesive if needed.
2. Put a bath chair in the tub. Give your loved one the option to sit down if he feels dizzy or unsteady as he or she showers.
3. Use a shower organizer to keep all bath products within reach. Again, it is desirable to avoid your loved one having to reach or bend down.
4. Install towel racks that are easy to reach from the tub. It is also important to have a convenient towel rack where wet towels can be hung up to dry; otherwise they become a trip hazard.
C. The Toilet
1. Make sure the toilet is the right height. If it is too low, consider installing a raised toilet seat. If your loved one has trouble sitting down or getting up, consider a frame with arm rests to provide support.
2. Place the toilet-paper holder within reach. Bending over to reach the toilet paper can cause a fall.
D. Night-proofing
Night time bathroom trips are the most dangerous. To reduce the risk of a fall during a night-time bathroom trip, consider the following instructions:
1. Install night lights in the bedroom, bathroom, and hallway. This will make it easier for the senior to see any trip hazards.
2. Check for loose carpeting and look at the way the floor transitions from the bedroom to the bathroom. Verify that the path to the bathroom is clear of clutter, and make any steps or inconsistencies in the flooring on the way to the bathroom visible by installing lights or glow-in-the-dark taping.
How does your loved one’s bathroom measure up with this checklist for bathroom safety for seniors? While every senior is different in terms of the type and amount of safety precautions needed, this list provides a comprehensive baseline to ensure your loved one’s safety in the bathroom.
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