I have a friend who is an older homeowner, and she’s always working on some home improvement project. When I spoke with her recently, she told me how the endless bathroom remodeling commercials were preying on her mind. She knows she needs to update her small bathroom, but the expense is greater than her current budget can handle.
While she’s in her mid-50s, she knows there will likely come a day when she will need to make her bathroom safer for her husband, who is overweight and has health issues, as a measure to help him safely enter a walk-in tub or step-in shower to prevent slips and falls.
The CDC reports, “Over 1.5 million aging adults seek emergency care every year for fall-related injuries. Showers are one of the most at-risk areas to experience such an injury due to the slippery surfaces that come with water.”
The report continued, “There are a few steps you can take to help prevent slips and falls. A walk-in or zero-barrier shower is an easy way to either take your mobility chair into the shower or avoid losing your balance by stepping over the high edge of a tub. Walk-in tubs provide the same security of not having to make a huge step in but allow you the relaxation of soaking in a tub. Another option is having a lower entry point cut into your standard tub.”
Obviously, the low- or no-ledge feature of a walk-in shower is the biggest safety feature, because it eliminates the need to lift your feet and legs over the side of a standard tub onto a wet, slippery floor surface. “It can also help older adults maintain their hygiene by making it easier for them to independently get in and out of the shower,” added Caring.com.
The primary benefits of a walk-in shower are:
- They help reduce the risk of falls in the bathroom.
- They enable independence for seniors.
- They fit almost every bathroom.
- They are customized for each home.
- Include additional safety features like grab bars, non-slip flooring, anti-scald faucets and shower seats.
If a bath is more your style, Kohler suggests a walk-in tub option. “A walk-in tub is a bathtub with a watertight door and seat that allows the bather to step into the tub over a low threshold. The accessible design makes entering and exiting the tub easier and more secure, helping people of all ages and levels of mobility enjoy a safe and comfortable bathing experience while remaining independent at home.”
The benefits of a walk-in tub are:
- They have a low step-in entry point to reduce the risks of falls and injuries.
- They have handrails for support when entering and exiting the tub.
- They have extra-wide doors for an easier, safer entry.
- They have control panels that are easy to operate.
- They have comfort features to make bathing a soothing experience: whirlpool jets, heated backrests, hand-shower options, and extra-wide seats.
“A walk-in tub is great for anyone looking to stay in their home longer, making aging in place safer with an independent and convenient bathing experience. When it comes to aging in place, safety is non-negotiable, which makes a walk-in tub an obvious choice,” according to Kohler.
The primary drawback to bathroom renovations that include a low- or no-threshold shower or walk-in tub is the cost. Medicare does not pay for home improvements even for senior safety, but there are a variety of grants and financial assistance programs that may be available to help.
If, like my friend, you are not ready to make a major investment in bathroom renovations, the simple additions of professionally installed grab bars, non-skid rugs and mats, nightlights, and a raised commode seat with side rails may be beneficial to improve bathroom safety for seniors.
Moreover, Home Helpers® employs licensed, bonded, and insured caregivers who routinely offer personal care assistance to seniors, while lending necessary support at shower and bath time to make bathing a safer, more comfortable experience.
After all, Home Helpers® is in the business of providing aid and protection for seniors to live independently at home for as long as possible. We make independent living safer and easier for seniors every day, and our team of caregivers is highly skilled and trained at making sure our senior clients are safe from slipping and falling hazards in their bathrooms and around their homes.
I’m happy to offer a FREE Assessment to discuss needs and recommend specific in-home care services we can provide to keep seniors safe, improve their overall quality of life, and preserve their senior independence for as long as possible.
Home Helpers® Bourbonnais/Kankakee/Frankfort proudly serves male and female seniors in Beecher, Bourbonnais, Bradley, Dwight, Frankfort, Kankakee, Manteno, Mokena, New Lenox, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Tinley Park, Watseka, Wilmington, and surrounding areas. Contact me today to learn more about the many services offered through Home Helpers® - We are Making Life Easier℠ for you and yours! 815.427.4238
Sources:
All About Seniors
Caring.com
Kohler
