The most dangerous place for seniors living alone is the shower. When seniors fall at home, in most cases they fall either in the shower or in the kitchen. Seniors who fall in the shower can be seriously injured, so it’s important to do everything you can to make sure your senior parent is safe in the shower.
There are lots of things that you can do to try and make the shower safer for your parent, but the best thing that you can do is get personal care at home for them. Personal care at home is specialized home care for seniors focused on helping seniors take care of hygiene needs, get dressed, and get in and out of bed safely.
The care providers who work in personal care at home have extra training so that they know the best ways to help seniors who may not be able to move their own body weight, stand for very long, or walk without getting dizzy stay clean and comfortable.
The Best Shower Safety Tips For Seniors
Getting personal care at home is the first thing that you should do to keep your senior parent safe at home. But you can also use these tips to lower the risk that your senior parent will fall in the shower:
Install Grab Bars
Grab bars are one of the most effective ways to keep your parent safe in the shower. They provide something sturdy to hold onto while stepping in and out, or while standing in the shower. Place them on the shower wall and near the entrance. Make sure they’re installed securely, and don’t use towel racks as a substitute, because those aren’t made to hold a person’s weight.
Your parent can use the grab bars to stay balanced, especially when moving around or shifting their weight, which lowers the risk of falling.
Use a Non-Slip Mat or Strips
The floor of a shower or tub gets very slippery when it’s wet. Adding a non-slip mat or adhesive strips to the floor can help stop your parent from sliding. These mats are easy to find at most stores and simple to put in place.
You can also place a rubber-backed bath mat just outside the tub to soak up water and reduce the chance of slipping when stepping out.
Add a Shower Chair or Bench
If your parent has trouble standing for long periods or feels unsteady, a shower chair or bench can be a huge help. They can sit down while bathing, which takes pressure off their legs and helps prevent dizziness or loss of balance.
Many shower chairs have rubber feet or suction cups to stay in place, and some have handles to help with standing up. This small change can make showering much safer and less stressful for your parent.
Install a Handheld Shower Head
A handheld shower head makes it easier for your parent to control the water while sitting down or moving slowly. It allows them to rinse without having to twist, bend, or reach too far—movements that could cause them to lose balance.
Install the shower head on a sliding bar so they can adjust the height easily. This way, they can stay comfortable and safe without straining.
Make Sure the Bathroom Is Well-Lit and Clutter-Free
Good lighting helps your parent see what they’re doing, especially if their vision isn’t great. Make sure the bathroom has bright, even light and that there are no dark corners or shadows. You can also install a nightlight so they can see if they need to use the bathroom at night.
Also, keep the shower area free of clutter like shampoo bottles on the floor or hanging cords. The fewer things to trip on, the better.
Simple Safety Steps Go A Long Way
Preventing falls in the shower doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. With just a few changes, you can help your senior parent feel safer and more confident while bathing. A safer bathroom means less worry for you and for them. Having support from personal care at home on a regular basis can help ease fears and promote confidence in the bathroom for both you and your senior.
If you or an aging loved one are considering personal care at home in Coon Rapids, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.
