How to Make Bathrooms Safer for Seniors in and Around Bethesda, MD

The first part of the house you should think about while assisting your senior loved one in keeping their home safe and secure is the bathroom. According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, around 230,000 people are injured in their own bathrooms each year. Bathroom-related injuries may occur as a consequence of falls, overexertion, hot water burns and a number of other factors. While anybody may harm themselves while using the bathroom, adults over the age of 65 are more likely to get an injury, fracture or need hospitalization.

At Visiting Angels of Bethesda, we've included these bathroom safety suggestions so that your senior loved one may age in place for as long as possible while providing you peace of mind.

Non-Slip Surfaces

A fall is one of the most common injuries that an older person can sustain while using the bathroom. Because slippery surfaces are often the cause of bathroom falls, putting non-slip surfaces in your loved one's tub or shower may be quite useful.

Bathroom tiles should have non-slip decals as well, since they may become slippery when wet. Scatter rugs should be removed as well so that your loved one does not trip over them.

Consider a Walk-In Tub or Shower

Because of age-related mobility issues, older people are more prone to trip over the edge of the tub. A walk-in tub or shower may reduce your loved one's chance of going over the edge while still enabling them to maintain their personal cleanliness.

Improve Visibility at Night

Frequent urination is a typical problem among the elderly. If your loved one has to use the toilet late at night, they may have trouble seeing ahead and may trip over items on the floor. Installing night lights in the hall may improve your loved one's night vision and make it simpler for them to use the toilet securely.

Focus on Accessibility

Keeping bathroom essentials in an easy-to-access spot helps reduce your loved one's chance of falling or harming themselves in the restroom. Make sure your loved one's soap, shampoo, conditioner and towels are conveniently available when they bathe or shower, for example.

Grab Bars

If an older family member falls in the bathroom, grab bars may assist them in remaining upright and avoiding damage. Additionally, grab bars are essential for safety while entering and leaving the tub or shower, as well as when using the toilet if the user has mobility limitations.

Reduce Overexertion

Overexertion, along with falling, is a major cause of bathroom-related injuries in older individuals. When your loved one is bathing or showering, a shower chair may assist lessen the danger of overexertion. Raised toilet seats may also help to reduce overexertion.

Prevent Hot Water Burns

Seniors are more prone to hot water burns. Because their skin is more sensitive, they may take longer to notice that the water is excessively hot. This risk may be decreased by identifying bathroom faucets accurately and keeping hot water temperatures below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Caregivers from Visiting Angels of Bethesda Can Help

Consider home care services from Visiting Angels of Bethesda if you need someone to help your loved one remain safe while using the restroom. Our caregivers focus on reducing the danger of falls and other toilet injuries when helping seniors take care of their personal hygiene. This is because we know that elderly adults must live in a secure and accessible environment in order to age in place.

You can rest assured that your loved one is in skilled and compassionate hands when you choose Visiting Angels of Bethesda for in-home care.

Want to learn how our home care services can help your loved one? Call us at 301-490-9050 to schedule a free in-home consultation!