The bathroom is the room in the home that presents the most safety challenges to senior living. Wet, slippery floors and countertops increase the risk of falls and can make a simple trip to use the facilities a dangerous situation. To better understand this issue and to learn some senior living tips that minimize risk, below is a guide to senior bathroom safety.

Bathroom Risks

As the body ages, mobility issues limit how effectively an older person is able to get around. Slowed cognitive responses only compound these limitations and increase the likelihood of a fall. Utilizing the bathroom is a necessity, and unfortunately, there are multiple senior living hazards and challenges present in your average bathroom — these include slick floors like linoleum or tile, bathtubs that are difficult to get in and out of, hard-to-turn faucets, and low toilets that are hard to access.

Safety Tips

There are ways to reduce the risks associated with bathroom use and create a more senior living-friendly space. First, install accommodating equipment like grab bars in the shower and around the toilet. If mobility problems are a serious concern, consider getting rid of the bathtub entirely, and install a walk-in shower with a shower chair. Switch out traditional faucets for no-scald models to ensure more control over water temperatures to avoid burns. Cover the shower/bath floor with nonskid tape and secure slip-proof mats to the bathroom floor. Keep toiletries and other bathroom essentials at an easily accessible height, and make sure that cords and other tripping hazards are stored securely.

A safe bathroom will help to protect the senior loved one in your life. Red Cedar Canyon Assisted Living, offers safe bathrooms in all of their senior living options. They provide assisted living, memory care, and respite care to the St. Croix County, WI, area. To schedule a tour, contact them today by calling (715) 381-7333 or visit their website to learn more about their services.