How to Improve Bathroom Safety for Your Aging Parent
When it comes to protecting yourself or your elderly loved ones from injury, we know that fall prevention is often top of mind. Prioritizing bathroom safety can help eliminate hazards as bathrooms pose a dangerous risk for seniors due to their slippery surfaces, poor lighting, and limited space. In fact, four out of five injuries that cause an emergency room visit are the direct result of bathroom injuries and up to 80% of falls in the home occur in the bathroom.
While bathrooms can be dangerous, creating a less hazardous space doesn’t have to be daunting. There are many accessories for handicapped bathrooms you can incorporate to easily improve the safety of your home and keep those close to you from injury. At 101 Mobility, we’re committed to providing resources and bathroom aids for seniors to help ensure their well being. We’re delving into practical tips to help make your bathroom a safer environment for all.
Evaluate Your Bathroom
Before you begin incorporating any accessories for handicapped bathrooms, you’ll want to assess the current safety level of your bathroom to see where solutions may be required. When reviewing your setup, you’ll want to keep an eye out for areas that may pose a hazard and think about what bathroom safety products your particular environment might need. It’s important to note that seniors can often struggle with high bathtub sides, lower toilets, and other unstable equipment that may cause falls. In addition, small spaces and slippery surfaces can create difficulty when it comes to safely navigating the space.
Take some time to explore your bathroom and pinpoint potential danger zones. Does your tub seem difficult to get into for someone with limited mobility? Are there rugs on the floor that can easily move or be stumbled on? Would you need to assist a loved one with a difficult-to-use toilet? If you answer yes to any of these questions, safety equipment may be needed. But don’t worry—there are improvements that can be made in your bathroom to enhance its safety, and implementing them is not as difficult as it might seem. Let’s explore your options and be sure to check out our additional bathroom fall prevention tips for more helpful information.
Grab Bars
Your aging parent might struggle with a difficult set of mobility and health challenges, but they’re not alone. Many in the elderly age group are unstable on their feet and can suffer from weakness, making it difficult to remain mobile in a bathroom setting. In order to combat this, it can be optimal to install bathroom safety products that work as additional points of stability, making it easier to get around without the fear of falling. This can be done by incorporating grab bars to areas of the bathroom where handholds may be beneficial.
Grab bars are multi-purpose tools that can be applied to many parts of the bathroom, including the toilet and shower, increasing stability for those moving around the area. Grab bars also offer unparalleled support when it comes to bathing, balancing, getting in and out of the shower, and more. Adding grab bars to the dangerous parts of your bathroom can be an easy first step on the journey to making it more safe and accessible overall.
Since bathroom safety needs often vary by individual, grab bars are an excellent customizable option that can be adjusted to cater to a wide set of specifications. They’re also a solid choice for impaired individuals sharing a bathroom with others, as they are less invasive than other solutions and don’t affect normal bathroom use. Grab bars facilitate independence and provide extra peace of mind, as they allow seniors to be able to handle daily bathroom duties with a lower level of assistance. 101 Mobility’s grab bars are available in many different styles and sizes, and work on nearly any wall surface. Explore your grab bar options and learn more about why they’re so pivotal when it comes to helping with fall prevention.
Superpoles
If you’re looking for flexible and versatile accessories for handicapped bathrooms, a superpole, also known as a safety pole, is a great option. A superpole is a floor-to-ceiling pole designed to enhance safety by providing an additional grab point to hold on to. These handy tools operate through tension and can be placed anywhere extra support is needed to create increased accessibility—without having to drill any holes. They’re not designed to be permanent, making them easy to move and install as needed. They can also be adjusted based on height, positioning, preference, and bathroom layout. Many can even be installed with additional accessories as add-ons, including our HealthCraft SuperPole that comes with a superbar option.
Superpoles are bathroom safety products that can be used near toilets, showers, and other dangerous areas to provide customized help where a senior may need it the most. They’re especially useful when transferring between these dangerous areas as they provide extra support and are known to help prevent falls. Installing a superpole is a great way to instill seniors with more confidence and independence when completing daily activities, as caregiver assistance may no longer be required. They’re compact, functional, and practical, proving to be a quick fix solution when it comes to helping reduce bathroom danger.
Raised Toilet Seats
When it comes to creating a safer environment for the elderly through accessories for handicapped bathrooms, providing a more simple way to use the bathroom on their own is one of the main areas of need. Lower toilet seats can present a particular set of challenges, as issues with limited mobility can make it difficult to reach the seat properly without a struggle. This struggle is also a leading cause of injury and low toilet seats increase fall risks due to the user being higher off the ground. Incorporating a raised toilet for the handicapped is a great way to combat slips, facilitate independence, and make the bathroom easier to use. Raised toilet seats can reduce strain on fragile joints, ensuring seniors don’t have to bend quite as far and can sit down and stand up without as much of a struggle.
There are several kinds of handicapped toilets to consider and many of them are adjustable, making it easy to cater to your loved one’s needs—and for others to use the bathroom as normal. Opt for one with adjustable height, cushioned seats, or handrails. Depending on the specific type, raised toilet seats often require limited modification and can be removed easily, preventing long-term damage.
Toilet Incline Lifts
If you’re searching for a raised toilet option that is more custom and even easier to use, a toilet incline lift might be the perfect solution to incorporate in your bathroom. These handicapped toilets are motorized, allowing you to raise and lower the seat all at the touch of a button. The inclined or tilted seat can help with placement and can be adjusted to fit individual needs, allowing for an easier transition between a sitting and standing position. Those using the toilet incline lift can also often find more comfort, particularly when experiencing joint issues, as it reduces the strain required with using the bathroom. Like many of the accessories for handicapped bathrooms we’ve explored, toilet lifts also help prevent falls and other accidents due to their stability and support.
When exploring your options to see which one is right for your loved ones, be sure to check out our toilet incline lift that works to provide lift alongside natural body movement for easier use.
Barrier-Free Showers or Handicap Tubs
Bathing can be an especially dangerous activity for the elderly, as showers and baths are often slippery, small, and inconvenient to use. Installing a barrier-free shower or handicap tub as a bathroom aid for seniors can give those with limited mobility more autonomy when it comes to staying clean. When looking for bath aids for the handicapped, a barrier-free shower is a good option as it involves removing your existing shower pan or tub and adding a barrier-free, slip-resistant lining in instead. This makes your bathing area accessible by foot or wheelchair, eliminating the need to step over a threshold, and removing a tripping hazard. Additional accommodations, such as grab bars, adjustable shower heads, and seating can also be incorporated when opting for this upgrade.
Similarly, a handicap tub makes bathing more accessible, as it includes doors and low thresholds, making it easier for those with mobility difficulties to get in and out of the tub. Choosing between a barrier-free shower and handicap tub as a bathtub assist device is a matter of preference, priorities, and your home’s unique set up. These accessories for handicapped bathrooms are the most invasive of the safety options we’ve explored, as they typically require a renovation. However, the results are often worth it as slipping in the bathroom can cause bruises, fractures, or even more severe injuries. Experts also stress that the psychological effects of a fall can be just as bad, instilling fear and causing isolation.
Protect Your Loved Ones
Ensuring your safety or the safety of an aging parent is of the highest importance. While the bathroom can be a dangerous place for those with limited mobility, making it a bit safer doesn’t have to be complicated—or break the bank. There are many accessories for handicapped bathrooms you can purchase today to help prevent injury and make your bathroom easier to navigate for all.
At 101 Mobility, we’re here to help. Our experts are ready to provide personalized, flexible care with the highest level of sensitivity. Let’s give you or an important senior in your life freedom and independence through improved safety. Explore our bath safety products or opt for a whole-bathroom renovation. Protect your loved ones, get the top bathroom aids for seniors, and enjoy peace of mind. We’re here for you every step of the way on this journey. Contact us today.
