How To Make Bathrooms Safe For Elderly

Bhubaneswar: Did you know bathrooms are one of the most dangerous places in the home, especially for the elderly?

One in four adults above 65 falls every year, according to the National Council on Ageing in USA. Shockingly, 80% of these falls happens in the bathroom.

Falls can lead to serious injuries or even death. In fact, one person dies in the shower or bathtub every day in the USA, according to nonsliptapes.com.

One of the main reasons is slippery surfaces due to soap and water.

Here are a few ways to make your bathrooms safer:

1. 1. 1. Bathmats
         Experts advise using anti-slip mats in the shower area, in front of the commode and next to the basin.
         
      2. Non-slip tapes
         You can also use non-slip adhesive tapes around the basin edges to increase friction so that one can hold on to it. Some heavy duty tapes can be applied on the floor as well.
         
      3. Anti-skid tiles
         If you are installing a new bathroom, it is recommended to install anti-skid tiles that have a rough uneven surface. Some of these tiles have coatings that keep the co-efficient of friction high even when the surface is wet and soapy. Somany Tiles claim that this coating “preempts any possibility of slipping”.
      4. Wear slippers
         Footwear experts suggest wearing bathroom slippers with good grip to prevent falls. Also, it is very important to change slippers as the grip wears out.
      5. Grab bars
         It is a good idea to install grab bars in strategic places such as the commode, bath area, etc so that the elderly can support their weight on these and prevent falls.
         
      6. Shower chairs
         For seniors, shower chairs can make long baths more comfortable. Handheld showers and chairs with rubber grips make an ideal combination in preventing falls.
         
      7. Proper lights
         Overhead lighting in the bathroom is often not the ideal situation. It can create shadows and not uniformly illuminate areas. Using in-direct lights that lit up every place – sink, mirror, shower area and the pathways.
         
      8. Visual markings
         Clear demarcation of areas is essential to prevent visual confusion. Bathrooms should be in a flat plane without too many humps to trip over. Avoid colours and tile textures that can create confusion.