Safeguarding Your Bathroom to Avoid Injury

“Elderly members of your family who may have mobility and balance issues are especially susceptible to bathroom injuries,” reports American Home Shield, “According to the National Council on Aging, one-fourth of older Americans fall each year. Further, a senior dies from a fall every 19 minutes.”

Bathroom safety is something none of us should take for granted. Yes, most of us use the bathroom each day without there being any incidents. However, as we get older and our strength and balance diminish, the bathroom can become a bit of a dangerous place. Do you live with an elderly loved one? If so, safeguarding your bathroom in an effort to avoid injury should top your list of priorities.

Clear the Clutter

Do you live with a family member who loves to leave cosmetics and toiletries lying around? While this mess can lead to an unsightly venture into your bathroom, it can also present a danger. As AgingInPlace.org points out, the problem with having shower gels, lotions, drugs, and toothpaste out on our bathroom shelves and counters it that there’s a high likelihood of knocking them to the floor at some point.

“When this happens, the elderly individual will have to bend over when reaching for the object,” the site contends, “But, it’s not that easy. Seniors grapple with stiffness and mobility loss, meaning that such activities can easily cause them to lose their balance.”

Install a Handheld Shower Head

Using a handheld showerhead solves a number of issues. It limits the need for an elderly person to move around in the shower. This reduces the risk of falling. It also gives people more control over where water is concentrated. In addition, as pointed out by American Home Shield, a handheld showerhead gives older adults a greater sense of independence.

Make Use of a Shower Chair

The safest way to take a shower is to do so sitting down. As American Home Shield reminds us, “in addition to providing stability for those with balance issues, a shower chair allows those who have difficulty standing for long periods to rest while bathing. Look for shower chairs whose legs are equipped with non-slip rubber tips.”

The concept of being seated while showering is one of the inspirations for Forward Day’s Shower Bay portable showers. Not to mention, our many years of experience have taught us that one of the best ways to help your family members avoid injury in the bathroom is to minimize its use. With Shower Bay, the bathroom is no longer necessary for the bathing process!

Shower Bay is a safe and portable shower designed for wheelchair users. It provides a true shower experience without dangerous wet-environment transfers or expensive home renovations. Shower Bay’s unique design allows for quick assembly in any room of the home. Just snap the unit together, connect it to a standard faucet, turn on the pump, and you’re ready to enjoy a relaxing shower.

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.