Written by Mike Price, OT
The best time to think about the well-being of your loved ones is before an accident occurs. The act of creating a safe space is a conscious one, but the best ways to keep your home accessible and hazard-free may not always seem so obvious.
Because the risk of individuals falling increases dramatically with both age and after an initial falling episode, we’ve put together a list of preventative measures to limit danger in one high-traffic household area: the bathroom.
A clear walking space is the best starting point to bathroom safety.
Depending on the living situation of the individual, this step may more or less be an intuitive one. But if you find yourself caretaking, or have a loved one living in a home alongside younger family members, having the foresight to clear the bathroom floor space can be the difference between a safe bathroom trip and an unnecessary injury.
Keep all clutter, toys and cords up off the ground, and store beauty devices in drawers.
For a loved one capable of self-care but needing a little extra support, grab bars present a low-cost, discrete solution. Attaching to the wall in close proximity to toilets, tubs and showers, these sturdy bars will help avoid loss of balance when maneuvering around the bathroom and provide peace of mind, especially to individuals living alone.
Grab bars come in a variety of designs and styles, allowing you the ability to customize to your décor, both inside the shower and out.
Because bathing inevitably means getting wet, a great way to keep falls from occurring in the shower is to lay down non-slip, water-resistant mats. These mats grip the floor of the tub with suction cups, covering the slick surface with textured ridges that help users maintain their bearings.
Non-slip mats also come in handy for areas outside of the bath, and can be placed beyond the bathing unit for greater security when entering or exiting the tub.
Bath mats can be a great way to soak up that extra standing water, but they also present a tripping hazard. Adding rug grips to the underside of your accent rugs and bath mats is an inexpensive, invisible solution to getting tripped up on a floppy corner.
Most grips can be trimmed to custom fit any size rug or carpet piece, and are easily changeable. They can be purchased online, at home good outlets, or even grocery stores.
If the best offence is a good defense, actively preventing shower falls never looked simpler than installing a power bath lift.
Power bath lifts are a wonderful bathing tool for those living with limited movement or physical disabilities. Typically portable, easy to assemble and requiring no permanent bathroom renovation, this chair-like device fits inside the tub portion of the bath, allowing users to rest rather than balance.
Most lifts support up to 300 pounds, raising and lowering loved ones from the side of tub with the touch of a button. Risk of injury is decreased significantly, and you won’t need to worry about falls due to entering or exiting the shower.
This is perhaps the simplest and most easily managed of all preventative measures. Because most bathrooms have wood or tiled flooring, the chances of a loved one losing their balance and sustaining an injury in standing water is high if spills aren’t managed. Fortunately, by following the steps above, the likelihood of falls due to slipping is significantly decreased.
If you have a bathroom where water tends to gather on the floor, keep an eye out for wet spots, and mop them up right away. If water has the tendency to pool in a lower area, consider installing a drain.
By clearing water before it has a chance to become a stumbling block, you are giving loved ones yet another opportunity to remain independent and pain-free.
80% of falls in seniors over the age of 65 take place in the bathroom - but they don’t have to. By looking after a few small things and considering the addition of assistive equipment to your bathroom landscape, your loved one has a much better chance of beating the odds and continuing their day-to-day life unhindered.
RehabMart is dedicated to providing families and caregivers with the best chances of success, and have put together articles to supply you with extended information regarding falls and assistive options.
You can learn more about obtaining peace of mind during bathing with our How to Choose a Power Bath Lift!
Want to learn even more? Find dozens of videos featuring products and caregiver tips like these at Rehabmart’s YouTube channel!
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
 "Miranti Height-Adjustable Bath and Shower Stretcher by ArjoHuntleigh (FULLY ASSEMBLED)")