If this pandemic has taught us something, it is to be safe in our everyday lives. People in general need to take a little better care of themselves, especially the things that are in their control. Like using the bathroom. But elderly people and people with mobility issues face challenges even for that.
The bathroom is especially a dangerous place for the elderly people. It is a small space with hard surfaces, edgy corners and slippery floors. It is an ideal place for falls and injuries. So, people with mobility issues and elderly people need to take extra care while using the bathroom.
To ensure that your loved ones don’t face any discomfort in the bathroom, here are 6 must have bathroom safety aids that you need.
Non-Slippery Mats
Precautions like placing a non-slippery rubber or silicone mats on the bathroom floor can prevent falls from slippery floors. Elderly people can even use a non-skid bath rug outside the tub for firm footing. Other assistive assets like a bath seat for elderly, or a disabled shower seat should be used in addition with this. Also, elderly can try dry-showers when they have injuries or sprains.
Shower Seat
Showering with a seat is the most advantageous thing when the elderly has sustained an injury. It provides a comfortable and safe place. Causing least contact with the slippery floor making it less prone to falling and injuries. As a caregiver, you can add a supportive hand bar to provide a grip to hold on to while sitting down or standing up so that they do not lose their balance. Showers provided with seats are the perfect solution for wheelchair users or walker users.
Walk-in wheelchair
A walk-in wheelchair is best for the elderly people, where this chair helps to transfer the elderly sit outside of the tub and hold on to the bars to swing their legs over.
Handheld Showers
Another bathroom safety product is a handheld showerhead. With a pressure button control and a good grip to hold, it is an inexpensive tool which helps with adjustable flow which works well with the arthritic patients.
Safety Light
A safety light is also a lifesaver. While getting up in the night, one can easily lose balance, eyesight and this leads to compromising cognitive awareness. This light helps adjust the brightness. It automatically lessens the brightness to see during the nighttime.
Low- Toilet Seats
Low toilet seats also create an issue for such people. There is no day in our life where we do not use the toilet seats. You need to make sure that you make it adjustable to their heights, so it is easy for them to use it.
Making small changes like ensuring all the essential items are within their reach of their disabled shower seat makes the process less prone to falls and injuries. Every essential item should be in the arm’s reach from the chair. A shower caddy can help in this area. Where you can place all the showering essentials including brushes, showering gel, soaps, and shampoos in it and mount it on the bathroom wall. You can optimize it by adding a dispenser for easy use of soaps and shampoos. Also, it can be used as a holding bar for sitting and standing up.
There are no guarantees that falls can be avoided, even with the help of these safety measures. But it can be reduced. The chances of falling and sustaining a serious injury is greatly reduced if proper precautions are taken. You need to take care of the elderly and make sure that the bathroom is secure to use. Most of the assistive assets are inexpensive like bath seat for elderly. Making such small changes lessens the chances of big injuries. You need to make your bathroom safe and upgraded for the elderly people.
Comments