How would you insure your bathroom safety if you have seniors at home?
If you’re not sure if it’s necessary to make your bathroom more senior-friendly, maybe these statistics will change your mind:
• Around 34% of people over 65 undergo a severe fall that hurts or even kills them.
• Every minute, six older adults suffer a fall.
• Every hour, a senior dies due to a hip fracture resulting from a fall.
• There is a 50% chance that the older adult will lose mobility at each fall, drastically lowering their quality of life.
• 10% of older people who have suffered a fall become too afraid to leave their residence lest they fall again.
If you’re trying to create a secure environment for your older loved ones, having a safely modified bathroom should be your top priority. Setting up grab bars and using non-slip mats to support balance and avoid slipping would be an excellent idea!
A bright light bulb makes it easier for the elderly to see everything while taking a shower, lowering the risk of falls and other accidents. Some seniors might find it challenging to balance themselves or stand for a long time. If this is the case for your loved ones, let them try a shower chair. It provides them with the stability they need and makes bathing more convenient.
Always have clothing and towels ready and put frequently used objects such as soap or shampoo at reachable spots. You shouldn’t need to bend or stretch to get your hands on them. If the water temperature isn’t right, it can cause sudden movements, making the elderly fall. So, always check the water temperature beforehand to ensure it isn’t too hot or too cold for their skin.
