Which Senior Bathroom Aids are Right for You?
Is the bathroom safe for mom or grandma? Create a fall-risk-free bathroom for dad and grandpa by adding grab bars, nonslip flooring, and keeping the floor clear of tripping hazards. There are countless senior bathroom aids that make the space more secure for aging in place. Follow these simple guidelines and make it happen for your loved one.
Essential Senior Bathroom Aids Reduce Fall Risk
Reduce fall risk for senior citizens with these essential senior bathroom aids. Adding places to hold onto when transitioning to the toilet or bathtub is critical to preventing falls. Another example, of a solution to aiding the elderly in the bathroom to reduce falling, is the addition of nonslip mats and coatings on surfaces. Let’s dive in on the low-cost changes to make a bathroom ready for aging in place.
Grab Bars
Adding grab bars to multiple places in the bathroom is very effective at making a bathroom safer. Seniors need assistance getting up and down at the toilet. Place a grab bar or two if walls are within reach for installation to let the seniors brace themself sitting down or standing up.
Similarly, installing shower bars for seniors adjacent to the bathtub for getting in and out of the shower is important. Granted, grab bars are not a solve-all solution for fall risks in the bathroom they do prevent many slips and falls when used. Older adults need to find who installs grab bars for seniors to get the job done. Verify the installation is done correctly.
Nonslip Floor Mats
Non slip floor mat for elderly individuals comes in all different colors and sizes to match your bathroom decor. A mat with nonslip features is best placed adjacent to the tub and shower area. As well as, in front of the toilet. Get a mat that absorbs water that may drip while drying after bathing. The best non slip mat for elderly seniors will provide maximum grip for their feet, yet not harbor excessive moisture creating a place that bacteria, mold, and mildew can grow. A non slip floor mat for a shower can fit around the legs of a shower chair or bench if the senior needs the additional assistance of one of these devices.
Nonslip Bathroom Flooring
An alternative to using nonslip floor mats in a bathroom is to install nonslip bathroom flooring that covers the entire area. Nonslip bathroom flooring comes in every design under the moon so you can create a beautiful space in the home that is functional and aesthetically pleasing. Common materials that are used in nonslip flooring for bathrooms include nonslip vinyl, natural stone, bamboo or cork, and porcelain tiles. There are countless non slip bathroom flooring ideas to consider. Each of these has different advantages and looks and feels, but all create some level of nonslip surface for elderly homeowners.
Anti Slip Bathtub Coating
The combination of water and soap on a smooth surface can make the bathroom floor, tub and shower space very slippery. However, with the application of a shower floor anti slip coating, these surfaces are no longer as hazardous. Turn a slippery surface into one that has traction even with bear feet. Shower fall prevention is enhanced by treating the surfaces in the bathtub and shower with a cost-effective treatment. Depending on the flooring that is getting upgraded use the products specialized for the correct materials. Whether, fiberglass and acrylic surfaces, porcelain & ceramic and even a nonslip treatment to apply to stone surfaces. These treatments get sprayed or rolled onto the dry surface and once dry there is an immediate impact in the safety of the room.
Hand Held Shower Head
A hand held shower head for seniors makes bathing easier. A quality shower sprayer improves cleanliness and hygiene and is very important for caregivers that are assisting the elderly with their daily morning routine. An important feature to look for with hand-held shower units is the length of the extension. Too short and it is difficult to use. As we age mobility and flexibility get reduced. This solves the problems associated with limited movement and showering. Using a shower while sitting in a chair or shower bench? It is essential to have this bathroom equipment for aging.
Premium Bathroom Aids for Senior Citizens
Each person as they age encounters different problems and requires special solutions. These premium bathroom aids for older adults are all nice to haves depending on the situation. A home designed for seniors has safety considerations at every stage. The addition of a shower bench, commode chair, or walk-in tub is the difference between staying in the comfort of home or needing to seek out alternative living arrangements. Adding these premium safety features keeps seniors from considering moving to an assisted living facility in their homes longer.
Shower Chair
A shower chair is necessary for any older adult that has difficulty standing in a shower or getting into and out of a bathtub. Shower chairs provide stability while washing and cleaning each day. Shower chairs come in a variety of styles including stools, chairs with backs, and swivel or sliding variations. A chair with handles on the side is helpful. The additional stability assists in getting up and down and improve safety for the senior.
How to use a shower chair is very straightforward. A caregiver or a family member can assist an older adult into the bathtub or shower or they can do it themselves if mobility is not severely debilitated.
Bathtub Transfer Benches
Bathtub transfer benches allow individuals to remain seated while transitioning into and out of the shower or bathtub. This is ideal for seniors that are at risk of falling due to instability, fatigue, and poor balance issues. When added to the bathroom as an aid for a senior citizen’s activities of daily living it should face the shower head. It is best when accompanied by a handheld shower unit to assist in washing the entire body. A good quality bathtub transfer bench will include handles, soft seat cushion & backrest. A transfer bench is generally larger than a typical shower chair. Sliding transfer benches make moving the senior into the shower unit even easier for family members and caregivers helping an elderly loved one.
Shower Benches
A shower bench is either a built-in shower bench unit or an accessory added to an existing shower or bathtub. Built-in shower benches are the way to go when redesigning a home for aging in place. However, there are many different styles of shower bench and it does not need to look like a piece of medical equipment. A shower bench can be made of wood or other material and fit the decor of the home.
Commode Chairs
A commode chair assists a senior to use the restroom when they are unable to access the toilet in the bathroom. When recovering from an accident or life-changing medical condition many seniors face the prospect of needing to stay in a skilled nursing facility or home due to limitations in their ability to use the bathroom and clean themself. A commode chair solves this problem by bringing the bathroom to where it is needed. A caregiver or family member can then easily empty the chair contents.
Floor to Ceiling Pole Grab Bar
A security pole and curve grab bar is a solution for seniors that need extra support transitioning to the toilet and shower area. The pole is fixed to the floor and ceiling and includes a rotating grab bar. These are height adjustable. Generally, usable in bathrooms with ceiling between 7 and 10 feet. This type of senior bathroom aid is also popular as bedroom safety equipment for seniors. It provides a support handle to transition into a bed.
Walk-In Tub
Walk-in tubs are super popular for aging seniors. Walk into the tubs open with a door that allow you to step into the tub. Close the door and fill the tub. Ultimately, these provide a relaxing bath experience with all the safety features of getting into and out of a shower without a tall step to climb over like a typical bathtub shower combination. Seniors with limited mobility that want to submerse underwater benefit from using a walk-in tub. Alternatively, unnecessary transitions and difficult movements to sit down in a regular tub lead to falls and injuries. Get a Walk-in tub installed early as you become an older adult and save yourself the trouble and pain of a bad fall in the bathroom.