Bathroom Safety

By guest blogger Carolyn Blake, PT, CEEAA, Clinical Director with Above & Beyond Senior Services

Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment is committed to providing superior service and offering quality products for our Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area customers. We reached out to our friends at Above & Beyond Senior Services for some tips on bathroom safety. At Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment we realize the increased level of safety concern when an older adult is in the bathroom and recently asked Above & Beyond Senior Services to share their expertise to help our customers maximize their safety in the bathroom.

Bathrooms have an especially high level of safety concern that other areas in a home do not. As a physical therapist, I am frequently asked to assess a person’s bathroom for accessibility, and to make recommendations for equipment and modifications that will maximize safety.

If a person uses an assistive device for walking, such as a walker, it can’t always fit into the bathroom. Consider these ideas in this situation: 

  • Avoid adding clutter that may make the walking spaces more restricted,
  • Add grab bars if you need to leave your walker outside the room.

The surfaces in a bathroom are unforgiving. They become slippery when wet and are hard if you land on them.

  • Keep the floor free of rugs, especially if they have fringe,
  • Use a rubber-backed bath mat when getting out of the shower so the floor stays dry and slip resistant.

In most instances, a standard height toilet does not meet the needs for a person with an arthritic knee, hip or spine. And in some cases, a toilet may be too high for a short person or someone transferring from a wheelchair. Also, if given an option of which chair to sit in, would you choose one with armrests or without? The toilet area is no different. If you have difficulty getting clean due to limited arm/hand function, there may be help! Here are some ideas:

  • Elevate your toilet with a seat riser, or have an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) toilet installed, which is 19” tall,
  • Add a safety frame, which is simply a set of armrests that attach to the bolts of the toilet seat.
  • A portable bidet can be added that washes and dries!

Stepping into a shower or tub also presents some difficulty. Do you find yourself unsteady if you look up and/or close your eyes? This is typical movement in a shower but is not comfortable for many people. Consider these modifications:

  • Grab bars as you step in as well as inside the shower
  • Shower chair with back
  • Transfer bench that allows you to sit on the outside of the tub and slide across (to avoid stepping over the edge)
  • Hand held shower with a shut off on the showerhead
  • Rubber mat on the shower floor or a textured surface (non-slip strips or sanded paint)

Finally, all grab bars should be installed professionally. They need to be firmly attached. A towel bar or a suctioned handle will not provide enough stability!

Overall, physical strength and balance are critical factors in order to have safety in the bathroom and throughout your home. An on-going, 2-3 times per week, exercise program that specifically targets your balance is important. Consider implementing a maintenance physical or occupational therapy plan, we are one of several providers in the metro area.

Happy Bathroom Safety!

For more information:

http://extension.missouri.edu/p/gh7060

If you or a loved one could benefit from additional strengthening or advice on bathroom safety, please visit our website or call Carolyn at 612-965-5122.

Carolyn Blake, PT, CEEAA
Clinical Director, Above & Beyond Senior Services

The safety, health and well-being of our customers is too important to trust to just anyone. Let the caring professionals at Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment assist you with the bathroom safety, home medical equipment and other healthcare and oxygen supplies you need. Stop in any of our eight Minneapolis and St. Paul metro locations or contact us today with with questions or concerns.

Posted on: April 27th, 2018 by Francis Sheehy in General | No Comments
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