It is natural for your body to weaken with age. The risk of serious injury goes up for seniors in case they encounter a fall. Bathrooms are notorious for accidents because there are increased dangers, such as sharp edges and wet surfaces. Therefore, bathroom safety for seniors should be a priority to prevent any falls and injuries. No one wants to see their loved ones suffer and the key to avoid is to follow these bathroom safety tips.

• Reduce clutter

One of the first things that you should do, not just in the bathroom, but throughout the house, is to reduce clutter. It is one of the best ways to help seniors in avoiding falls. Bathrooms are usually relatively cramped as compared to other areas of the house and clutter can make it more challenging to navigate the space.

Make sure the bathroom floor does not have any clothes, or anything else lying around that may cause a senior to stumble, trip and fall. In fact, there may be décor items that can also pose a hazard. Clear the countertops and keep things in cabinet to ensure safety.

• All necessities should be accessible

Yes, you need to get rid of the clutter, but not the essentials. Those need to be accessible. The elderly should be able to reach the items they require and put them away easily without having to bend or stretch. Accessibility is of the utmost importance during bathing because seniors can slip when trying to reach for something they need, such as shampoo, conditioner, or even a towel.

• Change the shower

It can be incredibly dangerous and risky for seniors to have to climb in and out of the bathtub. Nowadays, you have the option of installing a safety shower for seniors. There are hand-held shower wands that can be used, as these can be used to bathe while sitting if there is a shower bench. There are also stand-up showers available. The goal is to make showering as easy as possible for seniors.

• Adjust the toilet seat

A lot of seniors find it immensely difficult to lower themselves onto a toilet seat when they start aging. Therefore, it is best to adjust the toilet seat’s height. An elevated seat makes it easier for them to transfer on and off the toilet. You can find plenty of such seats available in the market that are designed especially for the elderly.

• Add night lights in and around the bathroom

Another step you should take to maximize bathroom safety for seniors is to add appropriate lighting that leads to and within the bathroom as well. Due to age, it can take longer for their eyes to adjust to the light. Moreover, it can be disorienting for them to flip on a bathroom light when they were in near darkness. When there are lights along the way and in the bathroom, they can make the transition comfortably.

If you have seniors living with you and you are concerned about their safety, you should follow these bathroom safety tips to avoid falls and accidents.