What Makes Portable Indoor Showers the Safest Solutions for Seniors?

As we age, our mobility tends to decrease, and basic tasks such as bathing can become challenging. Traditional bathing methods, such as getting in and out of a tub or standing in a shower, can cause concern for seniors and their caregivers. However, the rise of portable shower systems has been helping seniors regain their independence while also providing caregivers with peace of mind. Let’s explore the benefits of portable showers and how they are changing the game for senior care.

The Struggles Seniors Face in Traditional Bathing

Traditional bathrooms can present many challenges for seniors, from maneuvering around tight spaces to trying to step in and out of a bathtub. Additionally, slippery floors and limited mobility can make standing for long periods during traditional showers a daunting task. Seniors who require assistance with bathing often feel challenged by the loss of privacy and independence that comes with being reliant on others.

Moreover, statistics show that not only are our elderly loved ones prone to slips and falls in the bathroom, but also they are regularly visiting the hospital because of these mishaps.

According to the National Council on Aging one-fourth of Americans aged 65 and up experience falls every year. And every 11 seconds, a senior is treated in the emergency room for a fall.

Even more alarming is the fact that older adults die due to falls every 19 minutes. These scary statistics reinforce the need for people to take extra-special precautions in their households when they are caregivers for elderly loved ones. Because of this, portable showers are becoming increasingly popular as a safe and convenient alternative to traditional bathing.

Now let’s discuss portable showers and how they can be helpful.

What Are Portable Showers?

Portable showers are an easy-to-assemble and convenient solution for seniors who need assistance with bathing. These showers can be set up in any location where there is access to a water source and a power outlet. They are designed with safety features such as non-slip floors and grab bars that provide added stability and reduce the risk of falls. Portable showers also come equipped with options such as spray nozzles, adjustable heads, and temperature controls to enhance users’ experience.

Types of Portable Showers Available

There are several types of portable shower systems available, from simple shower curtains and enclosures to foldable showering stalls designed specifically for seniors. Some portable showers are stand-alone units, while others can be mounted on the wall. There are even portable shower systems with built-in sinks and toilets, providing seniors with a single location for all their personal hygiene needs.

Convenience Factors for Caregivers and Families

Using a portable shower system has advantages beyond just benefits for seniors; they also provide convenience for caregivers and family members. Portable showers are easy to assemble and require little maintenance, providing caregivers an excellent option for bathing seniors without the need for hiring in-home care professionals or constant supervision. Portable showering systems provide a convenient, effective, and affordable alternative to traditional bathing methods.

Additional Considerations When Choosing a Portable Shower System

When choosing a portable shower system, there are several things to consider. Factors such as space, water and power requirements, and cost should all be taken into account. Additionally, seniors’ specific needs and preferences should be kept in mind when selecting a portable shower system. By taking the time to research and evaluate options, seniors and their caregivers can find a portable shower system that meets their needs and fits their budget.

How Portable Showers Help Seniors Regain Independence

Portable showers are particularly beneficial for seniors who want to maintain their independence and autonomy. Portable shower systems provide seniors with the opportunity to remain independent while still receiving the care they need. Below are some of the benefits portable showers offer to seniors:

Improved Mobility and Increased Safety

Handicap-accessible showers provide support for those with limited mobility, helping to reduce the chances of slips and falls while bathing.

And that brings us to what we believe is the most important precaution to take – making the bathroom a safer place.

As Bryan Stapp points out on Caregiver.com “the bathroom is routinely cited as the most dangerous room in the house for seniors. Countless slips and falls occur in the bathroom, causing a difficult (and sometimes embarrassing) situation for families.” He goes on to point out the various ways in which a shower can be made safer.

Improved Emotional Well-being

Disabilities cause depression. There’s no simpler way to put it. So, when considering the mobility solutions for an individual with a disability, it’s only right that their emotional well-being is taken into account. This is especially true throughout the bathing process. We’re all well aware that bathing requires us to remove all of our clothing. So, it’s not hard to imagine one’s resistance to assistance with this daily chore.

The team-up at Ottawa, Canada’s Your Reno Guys completely agrees with us. “Physical health directly impacts one’s psychological health,” they write, “Promoting mental health in our elderly loved ones means not only helping them remain in their accustomed surroundings but also helping them feel at ease functioning there. The bathroom is one of the most challenging rooms inside the house in which to promote safety. Many offer limited room to maneuver, and wet floors and hard surfaces further increase risk of serious injury.”

Using portable showers can help seniors combat feelings of isolation and loneliness, while also providing them with a sense of control over their personal hygiene routine.

More Convenient Access

By providing seniors with easier access to portable showers , they are able to bathe more often and with greater ease.

“Wheelchair-accessible handicap showers ensure that both peaces of mind and dignity are maintained while bathing,” says Your Reno Guys, “Adapting a home for independence and accessibility also allows for seniors to continue to enjoy their own sentimental or prized possessions, maintain routines, remain with their pets, and stay connected with family and friends — all of which mitigate stress and promote a longer life.”

At Forward Day, we have a bit of a different approach to resolving the mobility concerns faced by those in wheelchairs. While they focus primarily on renovations, we practice what we firmly believe is a simpler and more effective solution. Our Shower Bay portable showers are designed to enable wheelchair users to comfortably take through showers with running water without having to renovate their homes in any way.

Saves You Money

Well, let’s speak for the fact that there is a huge convenience provided to the members to the household. With a portable indoor shower, no costly remodeling is necessary. In many cases, homeowners have had to bear the expenses of renovating their bathrooms in order to make them accessible to wheelchair users in their families. Not only is this a pricey undertaking, but it’s one that takes up a lot of time and energy!

What Makes Shower Bay the Ideal Portable Indoor Shower?

Shower Bay provides a safe and comfortable bathing experience that enables seniors to maintain their independence while also providing peace of mind for both seniors and their caregivers. 

Shower Bay can be installed in any room within the house. The bathrooms in your home don’t need to be reconfigured at all. The snap-together-quickly abilities of the Shower Bay eliminate the need to even be concerned about which floor of the house the traditional shower is located. A wheelchair user can easily enter and exit the portable showers on their own, allowing for a full restoration of independence and dignity.

The low height entryway on Shower Bay allows for easy access and exit, without the need to step up into a traditional shower. This eliminates the risk of slips or falls when entering and exiting the shower.

Conclusion

A return to independence, a greater sense of comfort, the restoration of dignity, and full and complete bathing experiences with running water – these all represent the top benefits of having a portable indoor shower at home. 

At Forward Day, our experience has proven that there is no safer solution for seniors than a portable indoor shower for the home. But more importantly, it saves an elderly individual from having to traverse through various rooms and levels of the home in order to enjoy a thorough bathing experience.

If you have any questions about our Shower Bay portable showers, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we will be more than glad to answer them for you. Give us a call at 1-877- 223-8999 or email us at info@showerbay.com.

First Published on: May 4, 2017

Updated on: May 25, 2023