By Maurice
Bathrooms are the most common places in the house where slips and accidents happen. They're also one of the rooms that we use the most on a day-to-day basis.
If you have a mobility disability, going to the bathroom may seem like a scary task, but trust me - there's nothing to worry about. You can modify your bathroom to make it safe and enjoyable, and in doing so, you'll maintain control of your independent lifestyle.
In this guide, we'll discuss several mobility aids that can be used to transform your bathroom. By the end of it, you'll have a better understanding of bathroom safety practices that can also be implemented in other areas of your house as well.
7 Tips for Making a Seniors’ Bathroom Safe & Accessible
Shower chairs
Shower chairs are ideal for seniors who have difficulty standing for a long time. They provide balance and stability, and they also give you the chance to rest while you’re taking a shower. The best shower chairs come with rubber tips that prevent the chair from sliding around. This can reduce your risk of injury and create a safe showering experience. There are several types of shower chairs available. They include:
Toilet aids
Safety rails/safety frame
Toilet Safety Rails - Courtesy of Medical Products Direct/Yahoo Images
Toilet safety rails provide superior support to make it easier to get on and off the toilet. These rails can either be installed free-standing around the toilet, or they can be mounted to it. Toilet rails come in a vast number of styles and designs, and they are a very helpful mobility tool add to your renovated senior-safe bathroom.
In addition to toilet rails, you can also install grab bars around the toilet. Setting up guard rails can compensate for having a toilet that’s too low to the ground. Plus, they ensure a safe and secure way to comfortably get on and off the toilet.
Raised toilet seat
Elevated Toilet Seat With Legs - Courtesy of Medical Supply Depot
Raised toilet seats make it easier for seniors who have very little arm and leg strength to sit down on the toilet. A raised toilet seat will give you about 3 to 4 extra inches of height to keep you from squatting and putting too much strain on your legs. They can also prevent you from having a bad fall. Having a raised toilet seat can greatly help people who have a mobility disability and keep them living an independent lifestyle.
Also, by reducing the distance to the seat, raised toilets can assist caregivers in helping you sit on the toilet. If they come with arm guards, that’s even better! Arms guard add an extra layer of safety and stability when getting up and sitting down, and they help you maintain your balance.
Stool
Benefits of Toilet Stools - Courtesy of Homeability
A toilet stool is designed to prop up your feet while you’re having a bowel movement to promote good posture while you’re using the bathroom. The point of this is to replication the position of an actual squat. Using a toilet stool boosts your knees above your hips, and this allows your colon to extend fully and creates a natural-feeling bowel movement.
For people who are short, toilet stools can serve as a stepping stool to help you safely sit on the seat. They come in different heights, so they’re suitable for people and toilets of different sizes.
Wipe assist tools
As we get older, everyday tasks become more challenging - even simple activities like using the bathroom. Wiping tools are revolutionary personal hygiene devices that making wiping yourself easier and time-efficient. They provide independence, comfort, and confidence to people who, otherwise, dread going to the bathroom. There are several types of wiping aids available. They include:
Commode chairs
A commode chair is a portable toilet that can sit at your bedside if you have difficulty making it to the bathroom. Speaking from personal experience, I believe that commode chairs are a must-have mobility aid if you have a mobility disability. After I had surgery, I was prescribed a commode chair because my bathroom was too small for me to comfortably use it without being in pain. Also, before I got the chair, I needed assistance going to the bathroom. Once I had my commode, life was so much easier.
Commode chairs can help you regain your confidence and independence. Additionally, having a commode chair can lower your risk of falls. For caregivers, commode chairs can make it easier to help your patient use the bathroom. Keep in mind that if you have a commode chair, you will have to clean it after every use. There are several types of commode chairs available. They include:
Transfer benches/stools
Sliding Transfer Bench - Courtesy of Performance Health
As it was previously mentioned, transfer benches make it easy to get in and out of the tub without the risk of hurting yourself. Most transfer benches have a non-slip surface with rubber padding on the feet to keep you from slipping and sliding. Additionally, there should be drainage holes in the surface of the seat to prevent dirt-buildup and help the chair dry. Also, transfer benches typically have an armrest as an added measure of safety.
There are also sliding transfer benches that are designed for seniors with very limited mobility or sensitive skin. These devices make it even easier to get in and out of the tub. The seat slides so that you don’t have to work as hard to get out of the tub, and it eliminates the risk of you tearing skin while you move.
Bath lift aids
Bath lifts are remote-operated seats that you lower you into the bathtub, and once you’re done bathing, they easily lift you out of the tub. They’re perfect for seniors with limited mobility and people who have an injury that prevents them from moving freely. Bath lifts come in a wide assortment of styles and designs, but there are only four types to choose from. They include:
Bath Steps
Non-Slip Bath Step - Courtesy of Maxi Aids
Bath steps are a secure platform that helps you get into the tub. You can use them as a stand-alone mobility aid, or you can use them in combination with other helpful tools. Effectively, bath steps lessen the distance between the floor and your tub, thus minimizing the effort it takes to get inside the bath.
Grab bars
Easy Mount Grab Bars - Courtesy of Health Craft Products
Grab bars are useful if you have an injury, limited mobility, poor balance, or a toilet that’s too low to the ground. When I had my surgery, I would rely on the towel rack to help me out of the shower, and I learned the hard way that towel racks are not meant to support your body weight.
Grab bars are, and they can be mounted anywhere in your bathroom. Also, if you have quick reflexes, grab bars can be used as something sturdy to grab onto if you’re falling. This does require that you have a decent amount of arm and shoulder strength.
