For older adults, the bathroom can be a dangerous and frustrating place. Changing abilities can make it difficult for them to perform regular daily activities, including bathing, using the toilet, and grooming tasks. Because the bathroom is a place where people are used to privacy, having someone help with these things can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. However, there are ways you can allow your aging relative to remain as independent as possible. Below are 4 ways to increase independence in the bathroom.
#1: Install Grab Bars
This is probably the most recommended bathroom change for bathrooms as people age. Grab bars are sturdy handles attached to walls that give the senior something to hold on to when they are trying to get up. They can also be used for support while they are standing to prevent a fall. Grab bars should be installed by the toilet and in the shower or bath.
#2: Change the Faucet
Bending to place hands under the water and trying to twist knobs to turn on the water can be difficult for some seniors. To remedy the situation, change the faucet. Choose one with handles that are easy to move even if the senior cannot wrap their hand around them. Also, install a faucet extender that forces the water to come out closer to the edge of the sink, so the older adult doesn’t have to bend to reach it.
#3: Get a Touchless Soap Dispenser
Slippery bars of soap are easy to drop, and pump dispenser can be hard to press down. Touchless soap dispensers work by just placing a hand under the nozzle where the soap comes out. The dispenser senses there is a hand there and releases some soap.
#4: Get a Sturdy Shower Chair
Standing in the shower can be difficult for seniors who are weak or have balance issues. A shower chair can make showering safer and easier. Make sure the legs of the chair have rubber tips, so the chair doesn’t slip. You can also get a transfer bench if the older adult has difficulty getting in and out of the shower. A transfer bench lets them slide over the edge of the tub without having to stand and step over it.
Even when you make changes to the bathroom, there may still be things your aging relative needs help to do. Elderly care providers can assist them in the bathroom with any task they have trouble with, including bathing and toileting. Elderly care providers can assist seniors to brush their teeth if they cannot hold the toothbrush. Elderly care providers can also assist them grooming tasks, like doing their hair, shaving, or applying makeup.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elderly Care in Federal Way, WA, please contact the caring staff at Wiser Care Services. Phone: (877) 279-5530. Serving all of Pierce County and South King County.
Sources
https://dailycaring.com/8-useful-bathroom-aids-for-seniors-make-everyday-tasks-easier/