5 Ways of Staying Safe in the Bathroom

Introduction

The bathroom can be a dangerous place for older people, especially those who are frail or live with medical conditions. Slippery bathroom surfaces increase the risk of falls, and climbing out of the shower or bath can sometimes feel precarious too. However, staying safe in the bathroom needn't be hard. As we know already, falls are the most common cause of injury-related deaths in people over the age of 75. In fact, according to the NHS, around one in three adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year. Today's article focuses on staying safe in the bathroom and the things you can do to lower the risk of an accident. Here are five ways of staying safe in the bathroom.

1. Install Grab Rails

As you get older, you may begin to struggle with your balance. Installing grab rails around your bathroom should be the first step you take to protect yourself. There are several types to choose from, each of which can help in different ways – you can buy grab rails which attach to the wall, or ones which attach to your bath or shower. All grab rails should be installed in places you can reach easily, without having to overstretch, and it's very important that the fixings are strong and secure. You may need to consult a tradesperson to check that your walls are strong enough to hold them. We advise installing grab rails around your bath or shower and beside your toilet, so that you can sit down and stand back up with ease after using the bathroom.

2. Install a Shower Seat

Some older people may struggle to stand for long periods due to balance and muscle problems, which can make taking a shower a real challenge. Shower chairs are a great solution to this. By installing a shower seat, you can enjoy all the benefits of the shower without having to stay standing throughout, giving you stability and a place to rest at the same time. When purchasing a shower seat, make sure the legs have rubber tips, as these provide non-slip grip. Be sure to use the grab rails mentioned above to help you get up from your shower seat too.

3. Buy a Rubber Bath Mat

A slippery bath tub can cause problems for people of all ages, but the risk of a fall increases with age. There is a simple way to make getting in and out of the bath tub easier, and that's by having a rubber bath mat. By simply placing the mat on the floor of your bath tub, you bypass the slip hazard and are able to get in and out with a lower risk of losing your footing. There are plenty of rubber bath mats available in different colours and styles, so you can pick one to match your bathroom, and rubber shower mats are also now available for those with a separate shower cubicle.

4. Install a Walk-In Bath

We know that a rubber bath mat can reduce the risk of slipping whilst getting in and out of the bath. However, some older people can struggle with climbing over the side of the bath and sitting down in the tub. A walk-in bath removes this issue, featuring a door within the sidewall that allows you to simply walk into your bath tub, with no need to climb over the side anymore. Most models have a small step of around four or five inches as you walk through the door, and most also feature built-in seats, another great way of staying safe in the bathroom, eliminating the need to lower yourself all the way to the floor of the tub. Some models also have built-in stability bars, which are great to hold onto as you sit up and get out of the tub.

5. Wear Your Pendant Alarm

When you join our life-saving personal alarm service, you will receive a comfortable alarm watch or pendant of your choice, which can be worn around the wrist or neck and will connect you to our 24-hour Response Team. The Pendant Alarm has a great feature that makes it a perfect inclusion in this article: it's waterproof, meaning you can keep it on whilst you take a relaxing shower. As we all know, getting in and out of the bathroom can be tricky due to slippery conditions, and it can be even more difficult if you live with certain medical conditions such as arthritis. Fortunately, with a Pendant Alarm, you can call for help if you have a fall in the bathroom. Simply press the button, and our Response Team will receive an alert call immediately. They will initially try to speak with you over the alarm's base unit, and if your bathroom is too far away for you to hear them, don't worry – the Response Team will automatically call your emergency contacts and the emergency services if they don't hear a response from you. In a matter of minutes, help will be on its way to you. Without a pendant, on the other hand, it's possible you could be left injured on the floor for hours.

Falls are the most common cause of injury-related deaths in people over the age of 75. According to the NHS, around one in three adults over 65 who live at home will have at least one fall a year.

More Information

For more information on purchasing one of our life-saving personal alarms, please speak to one of our friendly advisors on 0800 101 3333. Alternatively, you can get a personalised alarm plan here on our site.