Making a Bathroom Safer for Seniors

January 17, 2018

Every year, countless seniors are injured from falls in the home, and 80% of those falls occur in the bathroom. Slick, wet floors, bathtubs, and lack of grab rails lead to falls and injuries that can easily be prevented.

Many simple, and a few complex, adjustments can be made to make the bathroom a safer place to get ready in the morning. Let’s look at some things that can be done to keep you or your loved one safer.

Safe Bathrooms for Seniors

Accessibility

Making your bathroom more accessible and safe can just be a matter of making small adjustments, but in some cases major renovations are needed. If you are renovating your bathroom, consider installing handicap accessible toilets, which are higher than standard toilets and easier to sit down on and get up from.

Likewise, installing a vanity with an appropriate height for those using a wheelchair can make life easier in the long term, should you ever become wheelchair bound. By switching out your dated bathtub for a shower, it can pay off in the long term, as well as the short term.

Bathtub Conversions

Converting your bathtub feels like a major undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. A tub to shower conversion is less complicated than you’d think, and switching out that tub for a shower can help prevent falls. Not only are bath tubs more difficult to get in and out of, they are also harder to clean, and require more maintenance. If you are considering a tub to shower conversion, speak with your contractor about curbless showers, as well as built in seating and grab rails.

Accessories

If a full renovation or tub to shower conversion isn’t and option for you right now, there are several accessories you can add to your bathroom to make it safer and more accessible. Grab rails are perhaps the most important safety feature you can add in your bathroom. In particular, bathroom handles for gripping around the toilet, in the shower, and in the tub. Additional safety accessories include an anti-slip mat in the shower or tub, and a bench or stool in the shower.

Eighty percent of falls that occur in the home, occur in the bathroom. By taking some precautions in your bathroom and making some adjustments, you can reduce the risk of a fall. Tub conversions, toilet replacements, and accessory installations can greatly reduce the risk of a fall and can make you or your loved one feel more comfortable in your home. If you are ready to make adjustments in your bathroom to make it a safer place, call us at Bath Doctor today to discuss how we can serve you!

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