Bathroom Safety Tips for Elders: Keeping Your Loved Ones Safe
Brightstar Care of MSC
Aug 23, 2024
Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties
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Bathrooms are one of the most dangerous rooms in the house regardless of age. Each year, about 234,000 Americans experience bathroom-related injuries, and about 14% result in hospitalization, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over 80% of injuries sustained in the bathroom were caused by falls.
Because mobility and balance can deteriorate with age, bathroom safety is a critical concern for older adults. Among those who had bathroom-related injuries, the CDC says the injury severity and hospitalization rates were significantly higher in ages 65 and older and highest for those age 85 and older. Most of the injuries involved slipping and falling before, during and after bathing or showering and when standing up or sitting down on the toilet. Most of these injuries are preventable if you know how to make your bathroom safer.
Strategies for Fall Prevention
Millions of people 65 and older experience a fall each year, according to the CDC. It’s estimated that only half tell their doctor, so it can be hard to know exactly how many, but around 3 million older adults are treated in emergency rooms for falls annually.
Among these falls, bathrooms (along with bedrooms and stairways) are where elderly adults are most likely to fall and suffer an injury.
You can dramatically lower the chances of a fall by making just a few changes in the bathroom. Consider these fall-prevention safety tips exclusively for bathing areas:
- Add no-slip strips to the bathtub and shower floor. They provide better traction than rubber mats.
- Use rubber-backed bath mats outside the shower.
- Mount grab bars both inside and outside of tubs and showers and near the toilet.
- Install a shower chair or bench.
- Place soap, shampoo and other items on waterproof shelves at spots that can be reached in the bathtub or shower without overreaching.
- Install a walk-in shower with a bench and grab bars.
- Install a handheld shower nozzle to enable self-cleaning while seated.
- Replace any glass with non-shattering material.
Bathtubs and showers aren’t the only causes of bathroom falls. Ensure floors are always dry and use matte flooring finishes to enhance traction and visibility. You may also consider installing a taller toilet or a raised toilet seat with arms and encourage loved ones to urinate while sitting down and get up slowly afterward.
Tips to Prevent Accidental Scalding
Decreased sensitivity to temperature can mean the elderly are at a higher risk for accidental scalding. Here are some water temperature safety tips:
- Check the settings on water heaters. Set the temperature on your water heater to 120°F to prevent burns. Installing a no-scald faucet adds an additional layer of protection.
- Consider using a single-lever faucet in the sink and shower to easily mix hot and cold water.
What to Know About Electrical Safety
Bathrooms can put your loved ones at risk for electrical shock because of the potential for electricity to come into contact with water. This can land your loved one in the hospital — or worse. Consider taking these precautions:
- Install GFCI on All Outlets: Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets are designed to protect against shocks, electrocution, burns and fires. They constantly monitor the current in your house and automatically and instantly shut off power to an outlet if a disruption is detected.
- Cover Light Fixtures, Sockets, Outlets and Junction Boxes: Any time electrical receptors are exposed to water or steam, it can create the just-right environment for electric shocks or electrocution. Plus, any time electrical wires are left uncovered, they are at risk of being damaged or touched, even if accidentally.
- Appliances Can Be a Hazard: Outlets and lights likely aren’t the only electrical items in your bathroom. Use caution with anything in the bathroom that you plug in, such as a hair dryer or electric razor. Here are some general bathroom appliance safety rules:
- Before using a hair dryer, ensure your hands are completely dry. Wet hands increase the risk of electric shock.
- Never use a hair dryer near water, such as a full sink or bathtub. Keep it away from the edge of the sink or countertop.
- Use curling and flat irons that have automatic shut-offs.
- Check cords and plugs regularly. If you notice frayed wires or exposed parts, discard the appliance.
- Unplug after use and store in a dry place.
- Never reach into water to get a fallen appliance unless the appliance is unplugged and uncharged and you’re wearing protective gear.
- Update and check electrical systems regularly. Especially if you or your loved one live in an older home, consider having a licensed electrician inspect your system.
Other Bathroom Safety Concerns
Bathrooms include a number of other safety threats to watch out for:
- Carbon Monoxide: If you use a gas water heater, you need a venting system to remove the exhaust gasses, including carbon monoxide (CO). The gas, which you cannot see or smell, can build up in closed spaces. CO poisoning can be fatal. Consider adding a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
- Drowning: Seniors with mobility or cognitive impairment may be at risk of drowning in the bathroom. Consider staying in the room while your loved one bathes to ensure their safety.
- Medication Storage: Despite the fact that many bathrooms have a medicine cabinet, you shouldn’t store medicine in the bathroom. The environment is too moist and can decrease the effectiveness of some medicines. Store them in cool, dry areas outside the bathroom and kitchen.
- Sharp Items: Use safe storage solutions for razors, scissors and other sharp tools.
- Lighting: Improve lighting to brighter rooms that are easier to navigate. That includes the bathroom. Use brighter bulbs in fixtures—as long as they don’t exceed maximum wattage. Leave a light on in the bathroom at night or use a nightlight.
- Emergency Alerts: Consider using an emergency response system or device that allows seniors to call for help in case they need immediate assistance. This is particularly important if your loved one lives alone or with another elderly relative.
Meet Their Specific Needs with Thoughtful Caregiving
Ensuring bathroom safety is crucial and can be straightforward once you’re aware of the basic dangers. But even as you run down a printable bathroom safety checklist, keep in mind what features your elderly loved one would most benefit from. A wheelchair user may have different needs than someone recovering from surgery. You don’t have to make every recommended change — just make sure your loved one has what they need to stay safe.
BrightStar Care in-home nurses and caregivers are well-versed in bathroom safety. They know what to watch for and how to avoid it. Whether you're looking for in-home care services or assisted living for your loved one or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.
- To view the original version of this article visit www.brightstarcare.com/about-brightstar-care/resources/bathroom-safety-seniors/
- Seniors Blue Book was not involved in the creation of this content.
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