How To Make Taking A Shower An Injury-Free Experience
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At Forward Day, we’re intent on ensuring that every senior, as well as every individual who has a mobility issue, is able to maintain his/her safety when bathing. We know how hard it can be for these individuals to enjoy injury-free experiences when taking showers. So, it’s important to highlight some of the things that homeowners can do to ensure that injuries do not occur during bath time. They include but are not limited to, the following suggestions.
Safeguard Against Electric Shock
It sounds unimaginable to most of us, but there are some people who keep electrical appliances far too close to the shower. Depending on the size and design of your bathroom, there may not be ample space to keep such devices as hair dryers, electrical shavers, and electric toothbrushes safe distances from the bathtub. However, it’s imperative you find spaces for these items that ensure they won’t fall in the tub.
According to Laura Firszt on Networx.com, “the 2014 National Electric Code mandates installation of GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection on new or replacement outlets in all areas of the home close to a water source, like the kitchen counter, the laundry room, and, obviously, the bathroom. Hire an electrician and get this vital job done.”
Also Read: Making Bathing A Lot More Comfortable For Wheelchair Users
Add Non-Skid Surfaces to the Shower Area
Whether you have a shower stall or a bathtub for your elderly loved one to bathe in, it’s vitally important to make its surface as slip-proof as possible. It goes without saying that showers and bathtubs have slippery surfaces. By placing non-slip mats on them, you’ll dramatically decrease the chances of your older adult slipping and falling while taking a shower.
However, as Erica Garland on ModernBathroom.com warns, “while skidproof decals are a step in the right direction, they don’t cover the entire bathtub surface, so slips are still likely. Look instead for a mat that covers the surface of the bathtub floor. Likewise, you may want to add a mat with a rubber backing to the bathroom floor, too.”
Have a Shower on the First Floor
Considering the point just made, it may be your safest bet to take a shower stall or bathroom out of the equation. At Forward Day, we proudly offer Shower Bay portable showers that can be snapped together in any room of the home where there is a faucet nearby. That means your elderly loved one doesn’t have to climb the stairs to reach the bathroom on the top floor of your house.
As Jennifer Chait points out on LoveToKnow.com, “with no stairs to climb up or down to reach the shower or tub, the potential for falls on the way to shower is greatly reduced. Stairs may also dissuade a less-mobile elderly person from even attempting to bathe themselves.”
In addition, taking advantage of Shower Bay means you won’t have to endure any expensive remodeling or renovations. Instead, your elderly parent will have the opportunity to take showers, while seated, in a portable shower that offers running water for a full, thorough and safe bathing experience.
If you have any questions about our Shower Bay portable showers, please don’t hesitate to contact us to ask them. Give us a call at 1-877-593-4461 or email us at info@showerbay.com