If your elderly parent is moving in with you, you’ll want to make a few adjustments around the house to ensure they will be safe and comfortable. One of the most important factors to consider is bathroom safety. Showers, in particular, tend to be challenging for seniors to use. Fortunately, a few changes can make a big difference. 

4 Ways to Enhance Shower Safety 

1. Declutter & Organize

Clutter can pose a tripping hazard. It can also be difficult for seniors to sort through an assortment of bottles and other hygiene items. Only store the basics in the shower, such as shampoo, conditioner, and body wash or soap.

Keep these items within easy reach, so your loved one doesn’t have to bend over to grab anything. Consider a shower organizer or, better yet, soap and shampoo dispensers. 

2. Add Railings & Grab Bars 

Install grab bars and railings so your loved one can hold onto them to maintain balance while standing or getting up from a shower seat. Place bars outside the shower as well as precautions for when wet floors get slippery. 

3. Switch to a Zero-Barrier Shower 

With less mobility and a poorer sense of balance, many seniors find getting in and out of the shower or bath challenging. Your loved one may have trouble stepping over the ledge without falling.

A zero-barrier shower has no curbs and provides a seamless transition from the bathroom floor. Many also come with built-in seats specifically for users with mobility restrictions. This also allows your loved one to enter with a walker or wheelchair and safely transition to the seat. 

4. Use Nonslip Flooring 

Nonslip shower mats or slip-resistant flooring materials can also reduce the risk of falls. Nonslip mats are the simplest solutions. You may also consider replacing your existing flooring with nonslip tiles or covering it with a nonslip coating. These bathroom safety materials can be found at a medical supply or flooring store. 

For bathroom safety and medical supplies to accommodate an elderly loved one, come to Dauterman Healthcare & Mobility. Located in Honolulu, HI, we are Oahu’s trusted source for mobility aids and home medical supplies, carrying everything you need, from lift chairs to power wheelchairs and daily living aids. Call us at (808) 591-8860 or visit our website to find out more about our products.