Most people fail to realize just how much danger is located under the roof of their home. As people begin to age, the danger in their home will grow because of mobility issues or poor eyesight, for example. For seniors who still live in their own home, finding a way to safe proof things should be a top priority. Finding a way to remove the dangers in a home can really help a senior to feel safer and can help the people providing home care have a much easier job. Among the most dangerous areas in a home is the bathroom. The following are a few safety tips for a senior to use in their bathroom.
Pay attention to the hot water settings
One of the first things a senior or their home care provider will need to check when trying to increase the safety in the bathroom is the settings on their hot water heater. In some cases, a senior’s ability to feel the heat of the water is diminished due to various medical conditions. The last thing a senior needs is to be scalded by water. By taking the time to check the temperature settings on the water heater, the senior will be able to have the peace of mind of knowing that they are not in danger of being scalded.
Install adequate lighting
Most of the slip and fall accidents that occur in the home will happen in the bathroom. However, there are a number of things that a senior can do to prevent falls in this area of the home. One of the best ways to do this is by installing additional lighting in and around the bathroom. Being able to see a clear path to the bathroom at night will help the senior to avoid falling. Hiring a professional to install this lighting is the best way to make sure it gets done the right way.
Make the bathroom more accessible
For some elderly, doing things like getting in and out of a tub will be hard to do without the help of an elder care professional. The best way to prevent accidents when getting in and out of the shower or tub is by making them more accessible. Having the bathtub and shower handicap accessible will make it much easier for the senior to get in and out without any incidents.
Make all surfaces slip proof
The bottom of a shower can become very slick when wet and soapy. Not having skid proof mats down in the shower can increase the chance that a senior will slip and fall. There are so many different products out there that can make the floor of a bathroom or shower slip proof. Finding the right one will be easy when using a supplier with experience in senior bathroom safety.