What Can You Do to Make Your Elderly Loved One's Bathroom as Safe as Possible?

By Andy Niska | February 3, 2017 |

Home Care in Spokane WA

One of the rooms you might worry most about your elderly loved one in is probably her bathroom. Your loved one may have some special needs that can necessitate some extra safety considerations, so it’s important to do a quick safety check.

Install Bathtub Appliques

Bathtub appliques adhere to the bottom of the tub with both temporary and permanent types of adhesive. Some even use mini suction cups. The top sides are typically pebbled or otherwise roughened in order to give your loved one’s feet something to keep from slipping in the tub.

Use a Shower Chair

Shower chairs are just the right width to fit inside a tub or a shower stall. The purpose is to give your elderly loved one somewhere to sit during the shower. This is particularly important if your loved one has difficulty standing in the shower or if she has mobility issues.

Switch out Showerheads for Handheld Versions

Especially if your loved one needs a shower chair, having a static showerhead may not be as effective for her as it used to be. A handheld version with a longer hose connecting the showerhead to the wall can give you and your loved one the room that she needs to be able to wash and rinse much more easily and safely.

Install Grab Bars

Whether your loved one needs a shower chair or not, having grab bars in the shower ensures that she has something solid to grasp if she does start to lose her balance. Installing more than one at various heights can help your loved one to have a sturdy handhold no matter whether she’s standing or sitting in a shower chair.

Use Assistive Bathing Tools

Your loved one’s original choices for bathing tools, such as washcloths or sponges, are definitely still useful. If she’s got mobility issues, though, using assistive bathing tools can make the process so much easier and safer. Look for options such as sponges with long handles or soap dispensers that mount on the wall.

If your elderly loved one needs extra help bathing, senior care providers may be able to help. Many elderly loved ones are nervous about family members helping with bathing but feel better with home care providers.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Spokane, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088

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Andy Niska

Owner at Love In Home Senior Care

Andy has over 20+ years experience in the medical community and has a true compassion for seniors. With a degree in Health Care Administration, he developed a background in a variety of health care services that only comes from first hand experience. While working as a manager of a large clinic and as an account executive for medical suppliers. Andy has built valuable relationships with the medical community.

His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.