At PeachTree Place Assisted Living, serving the Salt Lake City area, we understand how important bathroom safety for the elderly is in protecting your loved ones. An extra set of eyes and a helping hand are always the best tools in preventing senior falls. Unfortunately, you can’t be with them all the time, so to help you ensure that your older friends or family members have the safest environment possible, we offer the following tips.
Avoiding Hidden Dangers
A bathroom is a place we visit many times a day. This essential part of every senior home is full of hidden dangers. As we age, our reflexes, balance, and energy levels make even simple tasks, like our self-care routines, potentially unsafe. This can make bathroom safety tricky for seniors. Bathing, reaching for a bar of soap, standing for long periods, or stepping in and out of the tub all carry new risks for injury.
Keep Seniors Safe From Bathroom Injury
Common senior bathroom injuries range from bruises and scrapes to broken bones and head injuries. Wet or slippery floors, fixtures that are too low or too high, and unnecessary reasons for overexertion are the main culprits. Fortunately, there are many ways to make elder care environments safer. Some of these include:
- Replace loose rugs
- Add anti-slip mats and decals to wet areas
- Install anchor grab bars
- Add non-slip stools or shower chairs
- Install an elevated toilet
- Keep toiletries within easy reach
- Install a walk-in bath
Let Us Help
Our aging loved ones want their privacy and independence. These safety precautions can help with bathroom safety for the elderly, allowing that much-desired autonomy. For family members in the Salt Lake City area who want to provide their loved ones with the most secure environment possible, consider contacting us today for a tour of PeachTree Place Assisted Living. We provide high staff-to-resident ratios, 24-hour nursing care, and “call for assistance” pendant necklaces.
