How Can I Create a More Senior Friendly Bathroom in My Parent’s Home?

For those over 65, the most common location for falls and slips in the home is the bathroom. When it comes to senior citizens living at home, bathrooms can be particularly dangerous, as wet tiles and showers make it very easy to fall.

If you want to keep your aging mom and dad safe in the home, one of the best things you can do is create a more senior friendly bathroom. With a few small changes, you can make your bathroom much safer, reducing the risk of accidents or falls.

To learn more, keep reading to find a few ideas for making your bathroom safer for mom and dad.

Add Safety Railings

Because bathrooms are quite slippery when wet, it’s easy for aging parents to fall, especially when getting in or out of the shower.

Consider adding safety railings in your bathroom, which can be installed into the wall. They’ll provide a secure grip, making it much safer for your senior parents to shower safely.

If mobility is an issue for them, getting onto the toilet seat might also be difficult, so a safety railing near the toilet can also be helpful.

Swap Out Your Shower Head

It can be a good idea to take out your shower head and replace it with a detachable sprayer attachment. It makes showering easier, as you can hold the attachment in your hand—very useful if you need to sit down in the shower.

Adding a shower bench can help too, as it can sometimes be tough for seniors to stand up for long periods of time. That way, your parents can hold the nozzle in their hand while they sit and shower, eliminating the need for a carer to help when showering.

Put Down Non-Slip Mats

Non-slip mats are essential for any bathroom, but especially one used by elderly parents! Look for thick, comfortable mats as well—that way, if a parent does fall, the rug will cushion their fall and help prevent a serious injury.

Place rugs near the shower, bath, toilet, and sink. Anywhere at risk of getting wet or splashed should be protected.

Install a Safety Monitor

For extra peace of mind, you might want to install a safety sensor in the bathroom.

Elderly monitoring sensors work to determine unusual motion or activity (such as a fall). If something is detected, an automatic alert is sent to your phone right away, letting you know to check on your relative.

While it will probably never be needed, it might help you feel much more secure about your elderly parents living independently.

Create a Senior Friendly Bathroom With These Tips

If your parents have a senior friendly bathroom, daily life will be much easier (and safer!) for them. Using the ideas above, take stock of your bathroom—what’s working ok and what needs to be improved?

Then, either use your DIY skills or hire a contractor to make some changes to your bathroom. You’ll feel much more comfortable about your parents living alone once you know they have a safe bathroom!

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