Adaptive Equipment Ideas for the Bathroom

As more and more seniors are choosing to spend retirement in the comfort of their own home, they do so at a risk. The biggest risk is falling. Although falls can happen at any time and at any place, the National Institute on Aging shares that six out of every ten falls happen in the home. The majority of these falls, roughly 80%, occur in the bathroom. It’s no wonder why the bathroom is a dangerous place for a senior. Constructed from hard materials, such as tiles, porcelain, and marble, these materials do not absorb water and are extremely slick when wet. Seniors are also more likely to need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, when they’re less alert, putting them more at risk for a fall. Bathrooms are also dangerous rooms for seniors who live alone. They can easily slip while bathing or getting in and out of the bathtub and have no way of notifying someone to come and help.

However, in-home modifications, such as adaptive equipment, can reduce the risk of falls by nearly 50% for seniors 75 years and older, according to research. With a few adaptations, the bathroom can become a safe place to unwind and relax. Here are a few adaptive equipment ideas for the bathroom that can help prevent a fall.

Grab Bars
A common reason why seniors fall in the bathroom is because they don’t have anything secure to grip to help them maintain their balance. They may have difficulty standing after sitting on the toilet and attempt to use a towel rod to pull themselves up. As they pull and begin to stand, the towel rod can pull apart from the wall, causing the senior to lose balance and fall. Instead, install grab bars on either side of the toilet, at an appropriate height for your reach. Showers and tubs are also a high fall risk place for seniors. Installing grab bars inside and outside of the shower or bathtub can help prevent a fall.

Over-the-Toilet Commode
Another great piece of adaptive equipment that doesn’t involve installing grab bars is purchasing an over-the-toilet commode. These types of commodes are great for multiple uses. You can use them as they are intended, to place over the toilet, elevating the seat and providing grab bars to assist with sitting and standing. You can also use it as a standalone commode, placing it in the bedroom near the bed, to help prevent a fall from walking long distance to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Lastly, you can use this as a shower chair, minimizing the cost of your overall adaptive equipment purchase.

Tub Transfer Bench
Seniors are more likely to fall as they transfer from tub to bathroom floor. They can underestimate the height of the bathtub or slip on the wet floor as they step out of the tub. Prevent unnecessary falls from transferring in and out of the bathtub by utilizing a tub transfer bench. Designed for seniors who need support getting in and out of the bathtub, the legs of this bench sit in the bathtub and on the bathroom floor. When you are ready to bathe, you sit on the bench outside of the bathtub, then slide across to enter your bathtub. You then reverse the process to get out of the bathtub safely.

Shower Chair
A must-have adaptive equipment all seniors should readily have is a shower chair. Even if you don’t plan to use it regularly, it’s an important piece of equipment to keep in the shower at all times. Avoid using the shower chair as extra storage for shampoos and body washes. In case you start to feel dizzy, you don’t want to waste time emptying the chair before you can sit down.

Automatic Night Light
Finally, consider adaptive lighting to prevent falls in the middle of the night. Because many seniors get up during the night to use the bathroom, it’s critical that the pathway to the bathroom and the bathroom itself has adequate lighting. Install automatic night lights that either turn on when it’s dark or sense motion. There are even motion activated night lights for your toilet that provide a soft glow any time you walk into the bathroom at night.

Visiting Angels Fond du Lac is here to ensure that seniors have adequate help with their bathing, toileting, and dressing needs. If you feel insecure as you take care of your personal grooming, consider partnering with us. We provide non-medical care for seniors who need assistance so that they can live safe and independent in their own home. Our compassionate caregivers can assist with showers, baths, dressing, and more. We offer flexible scheduling so that your routine isn’t interrupted. Please contact us today to learn more about our senior home care services.