The bathroom is often the first place you might discover you need a little help.
It’s also a need you probably don’t want to discuss with friends or family.
But, when it comes to your safety at home, you should focus on your bathroom setup. Make sure even the slightest chance of falling is eliminated.
In research conducted by the CDC, if you are between the ages of 65 and 85, you have double the risk of getting an injury in the bathroom than the average Joe. After age 85, you are more than likely than not to have an injury in the bathroom.
But, there are many steps you can take to improve your safety in the bathroom.
The first step is to think – honestly – about where you struggle the most in the bathroom. Is bathing difficult for you? Do you have trouble getting up and down from the toilet?
Research tips and products that help seniors and the elderly with bathing and toileting. I have several guides on different pieces of bathroom safety equipment below.
Discuss your situation with your doctor. I also suggest discussing it with a close family member or friend as well.
After you have input from trusted loved ones and professionals, take action and get the safety products you need. Some insurances will cover these at no cost to you. Sometimes, you have to buy them on your own.
I hope you find these guides helpful. If you have any questions about what you read, please leave a comment at the end of the guide.
Scott Grant, ATP, CRTS
While the reasons an elderly person might stop bathing are numerous, most have to do with fear of injury, physical health concerns, or mental health problems. Use this guide to help identify potential causes plus learn some ideas that might help encourage the elderly to bathe.
Older adults have unique dental care and oral hygiene needs. These helpful oral hygiene products help seniors and the elderly keep their mouth, teeth, and gums in tip-top shape.
Some examples of special toothbrushes for the elderly include electric toothbrushes, U-shaped toothbrushes, finger brushes, oral swabs, and more. Learn more about these options below.
The back back scrubbers for seniors and the elderly should have soft bristles that scrub without damaging fragile skin, be easy to use without contorting your body, and be able to be used in both wet and dry brushing situations. Here are my favorites.
Did you know that soft brushes and soap work better than cleansers that contain irritating chemicals? Bath brushes softly exfoliate the skin, increase circulation, remove dead skin, and improve skin texture. However, you’ve got to pick the right brush.
The right shower head can make showering easier and safer. The best shower heads for the elderly have long hoses that don’t kink up, easy to operate switches and buttons on the head itself, variable spray patterns, and are also lightweight.
Bedpans are a necessary evil for seniors who spend most of their time in bed. You want to choose a high quality item that will minimize the chance of a mess and is easy to empty and clean. Here are my top picks.
The first thing to do after falling in the shower is to remain calm and gather yourself. Next, check for signs of injuries. Then, if it is safe to do so, roll to a better position and try to get to a seated position before attempting to stand.
Because it can be such a treacherous place, it’s important to know how to prevent falls in the bathroom. The key is minimizing exposure to water and wet surfaces, adding places to hold onto, and making bathing and toileting safer. Here are 9 specific recommendations.
Look for shower shoes that have lightweight materials, non-slip but flexible soles, fit snugly, and drain easily. Stay away from items that are made of fabric or foam, fit loosely, or are overly expensive.
The best shower for seniors and the elderly provide a safe experience that reduces the chance of a slip and fall. This guide lays out some changes and safety products you can easily put in place for safer bathing.
Look for a safe bath or shower mat that securely sticks to the tub surface, has a textured surface to reduce slipping, drains well, fits your tub or shower, and is antibacterial and machine washable for easy cleaning. Even better, choose a mat that also is BPA-free! Avoid soft, fabric mats and any bathroom rugs.