Every little detail goes into taking care of elders, and it is undoubtedly a tough job. Their fragile bodies can face obstacles in overcoming something that may be trivial for healthy adult bodies. As the age progresses, the bones in the body lose their sturdiness, and falls are bound to happen. These falls can be fatal too, and the possibility of them happening spikes up in wet areas such as bathrooms. Therefore, taking special measures to ensure that there is absolutely no risk of major falls for seniors is essential for their health. Here are a few tips to prevent bathroom falls.
Incorporate Non-slip Surfaces
Often, brutal falls are caused by slippery surfaces such as marble floorings. This is why having a surface that is resistant to slipping is crucial. Non-slip bathroom tiles on the walls are also as important as the floorings, as they can be a safety hazard when wet. Slippery bath mats should also be removed from the floor and replaced by non-slip mats.
Install Grabbing Bars
Grab bars are a great way to support your loved ones when they are walking across the surface. As the limbs of the elderly lack significant strength, they can hold on to grab bars if they need support. In case they are caught off guard by a slip, the availability of grab bars can help your loved ones from the fall.
Clean and Dry the Surfaces
The bathroom environment gives rise to condensation that can accumulate soap remnants over the surfaces. This can leave a surface slippery and result in an accidental fall. Scrub your tub, showers, grab bars, and other surfaces to clean off the residue.
Utilize a Shower Chair
While taking a shower, the floors and surfaces get inevitably wet, resulting in an unfortunate fall. Your loved ones can use a shower chair during a bath to avoid their need to stand. Shower chairs help elders sit stationary without moving their legs so that they don’t slip or fall.
Eliminate Obstacles
Obstacles can pose a threat of falls as the elderly might not react as proactively to them as the younger adults do. See that there are no shower elements such as soaps or shampoo bottles lying on the surface. Furthermore, the sides of bathtubs are also a serious risk as the elderly are likely to trip over them. In such cases, installing a walk-in bathtub or shower area can help them.
Enhance Visibility
An illuminated bathroom can improve its visibility for elderly people who have frequent urges to go to the washroom. The visibility can help detect any obstacles during their hasty walk or provide a well-lit environment at night.
There is nothing like ‘too much care’ when it comes to your loved ones. They need the best of every support that they can get. Cherokee Angel Senior Care and Training Center is your trusted helping hand in caregiving for your loved ones and improving their quality of life.