Bathroom Safety for the Elderly
by Roland Larrabee, M.D.
Bathrooms are a particularly dangerous part of the home. Common bathroom accidents include scalds, fainting from heat, falls on slippery floors, head injuries from falling against bathroom fixtures, and fractured bones, particularly hip fractures. During the winter months, lying on the floor can cause hypothermia (low body temperature), which along with other medical problems, can be lethal.
Linoleum or tile on bathroom floors can be slippery even when dry. A loose rug, sock, or soft slipper can easily slide on it. Bathroom floors can be especially slippery if they get wet. It is not always easy to see the wet area.
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Non-slip floors in the bathroom will help prevent slips and falls.
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Don't have loose rugs on bathroom floors.
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Don’t wear slippery socks or slippers
Getting in and out of your bath gets more difficult as you get older, especially if you are overweight. Don't lock the bathroom door, in case you need help. Fixtures that can make your bath and shower safer include:
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Non-slip pads or strips on the bathtub and shower floor help prevent falls.
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Grab bars provide stability and a strong handhold. They must be long and wide enough to grasp easily, with a non-slippery grip. Grab bars should be strong enough to withstand the stress that will be placed on them.
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Bathtub safety rails help you get into and out of a tub safely, and eliminate stooping. Bathtub safety rails must be clamped firmly to the bathtub. They must provide a firm, non-slippery grip.
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Bath and shower stools or seats and transfer benches are helpful for those with balance problems or weaker muscles. Shower stools must have rigid seats and backs. Legs should have rubber tips.
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Handheld showers can be used to direct water over your body while remaining comfortably seated on a stool or in a tub.
It can be difficult to get on and off a low toilet. Special toilet seats are available that will fit over a regular seat to make it higher. A grab bar will also help. Many falls occur when a person is rushing to get to the toilet. It is easy to skid on a wet floor or a loose mat around the base of the toilet.
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Do not use a towel bar as a grab bar.
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Install a grab bar close to your toilet.
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Use the toilet before it becomes a matter of urgency.
Water does not have to be boiling to cause a scald. Always test the temperature of the bath or shower water with your hand before you get in. The heat from the hot water in the bath or shower could make you lightheaded, so don't stay in the water too long.
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Check the water temperature before you get into the bath or shower.
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Have your hot water heater thermostat set below 120°F.
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Keep a small chair or stool in the bathroom so you can sit down if you need to.
There are also electrical hazards in the bathroom once should be aware of.
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Don't have a plug-in radio, a compact disk player, or a cassette tape player near your bath.
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Don't allow electric cords to trail where people can trip on them.
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Always have good lighting in your bathroom.
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Have a night light in your bathroom.
Dr. Larrabee is Associate Director of Family and Community Medicine at the Walter L. Aument Family Health Center, 317 S. Chestnut St., Quarryville.