Sonora, California
14570 Mono Way Ste G, Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 213-2693
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Improving Bathroom Safety for Seniors

Comfort Keepers In-Home Care in Sonora, California.

Improving Bathroom Safety for Seniors

Find key tips for bathroom safety and ways to keep your loved one safe, clean and comfortable in their own home in the Sonora, CA area. 

According to the National Council on Aging, every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for injuries resulting from a fall. And, it’s estimated that 80% of these falls happen in the bathroom. These fall-related injuries can range from minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises to more severe injuries, including broken bones, hip fractures, head contusions, and even spinal cord injury.

As we age, reduced muscle strength and balance can make falls more common, and those with a history of falls have an even greater risk of falling again. In the bathroom, this can occur when stepping into and exiting the tub or shower; when reaching for a towel bar, sink top, or other objects for balance when walking; and when sitting down and getting up from the toilet.

Installing safety features in the bathroom can reduce the risk, and there are many options available:

For the shower and tub:

Install grab bars or a tension pole. Towel bars are great for holding towels but aren’t built to support weight. Installing slip-resistant grab bars to help support balance when entering and exiting the shower or tub can help. Seniors should choose bars that are color contrasted from the wall for visibility, and ensure they are securely fixed to the studs of the wall for adequate support.

Using a shower chair. A shower chair can provide stability for balance and be a resting place for those who can’t stand for long periods of time. A good shower chair has rubber tips on the legs to prevent sliding. Also, installing a hand-held showerhead allows those with balance issues to shower while seated.

Using a bath transfer bench. A bath transfer bench eliminates the problem of stepping in and out of the tub. Users can sit on the bench outside of the tub then slide into the tub, eliminating the need to step over a bathtub wall.

For slippery surfaces:

Add non-slip mats. Having a non-slip rubber mat (or decals) on the floor of the shower or tub as well as a non-slip rug on the floor can help prevent slips. A non-slip rug should be placed in front of the toilet, by the sink, or in any place that there is a risk of water making the floor slick.

Add non-slip adhesive strips. These can be placed on the top of sink edges to guard against hand slippage if these surfaces are used for balance support.

For the toilet:

Use a raised toilet seat. For seniors that have difficulty lowering themselves down to sit on a low toilet seat and rising to a standing position, a raised toilet seat adds 3-4 inches of height, which reduces squatting.

Install grab bars for standing and sitting. Grab bars can be installed to help with lowering and raising. And, there are some raised toilet seats with built-in grab bars to provide extra assistance.