Shower Stools & Other Bath Safety Tips For Caregivers
Bathing is an important activity of daily living. Showering or taking a bath can be challenging for older and disabled adults with limited mobility, chronic conditions, or cognitive impairment. This activity typically requires assistance from a caregiver.
As a caregiver, one of your responsibilities is helping your loved one shower or bathe safely. Here, we’ll talk about:
- The importance of bathroom safety.
- Some useful tips, including how to use shower chairs and stools.
Looking for more information on bathroom safety, equipment, and caregiving tips? Check out this link to find out if you have free access to additional Trualta caregiving resources.
How Bathing Can Be Dangerous
Home safety is a basic necessity for in-home care, but it’s not always simple. Many aspects of a home can be dangerous for someone with limited mobility or cognitive deficits. As a caregiver, you might move furniture to provide clear walking paths or remove rugs that pose tripping risks throughout the home.
The bathroom poses specific risks to the safety of your care recipient:
- Rugs in the bathroom can be trip hazards.
- Hard tile floors can cause slips and falls when wet.
- The bathtub or shower can also be slippery.
- Drowning in the bathtub is a real risk for people with certain conditions or disabilities.
Bathing or showering is particularly dangerous if a care recipient tries to do it without assistance or guidance. Many care recipients need special bathroom accessories, and preparation, and often help during bathing to stay safe. Here are some practical tips you can use to make bathing safer for your loved one.
Use Shower Stools & Chairs
A shower stool is a simple product designed to provide a sturdy place to sit in the shower. A shower chair is similar but has a back for more support. A shower bench is longer and is used to help a care recipient get into the bathtub. Keep these tips in mind when using a shower chair or stool to make showering safer:
- Read materials that come with the shower stool or chair and set it up as described.
- Adjust the height of the chair or stool so that when your care recipient sits on it, their feet are flat on the floor.
- Position the stool in the shower or bathtub and ensure it is secure and stable. Try it yourself first, so you know it’s safe and comfortable.
- Use a non-slip mat under the shower stool if needed.
- Provide assistance getting onto and off of the chair if your loved one needs it.
- Ensure they sit firmly in the middle of the seat and that items they need are easily within reach.
Install Grab Bars
A shower chair is a great tool for allowing your loved one to shower without the risk of falling from a standing position. To use a stool or chair safely, they probably need additional support.
Grab bars installed inside and outside the shower will help them move more safely and with less risk of falling. They can also help them lower down and stand up again.
Install grab bars at heights appropriate for your care recipient. They should be able to use them easily and comfortably without reaching too far. If you’re not skilled enough or don’t have the right tools to install grab bars, enlist a professional. It’s essential that the bars are attached securely and strongly to the walls.
Additional Bathing Safety Tips
Shower chairs and grab bars are essential items for improving the safety of your loved one at bath time. These additional bathroom bath and shower safety tips are also important:
- Use non-slip mats. Hard, wet surfaces both inside and outside the shower or tub pose slip-and-fall hazards. To reduce this risk, use sturdy, secure non-slip coatings or mats both inside and outside the shower or bathtub.
- Install a handheld shower head. A handheld, flexible shower head is much easier to use for bathing from a sitting position than a standard shower head.
- Prepare before bathing. It’s important to prepare the bathroom and shower or tub before each bath or shower. Be sure you’ve set everything up safely and securely. This includes placing items like soap and washcloths within easy reach.
- Improve lighting. Ensure the bathroom has adequate, bright lighting, especially if your loved one has vision issues. Avoid shiny bathroom accessories or curved mirrors that can catch the light and cause glare.
- Remove unnecessary items. As with other areas of the home, the bathroom can be unsafe if there are many extra items or decor. These items can be trip hazards, limit space to move, or cause confusion.
- Add toilet seat accessories. The toilet can also be dangerous for a care recipient. A commode or toilet seat attachment with an elevated seat and grab bars makes it easier to sit down and stand up safely.
As a caregiver, it’s important to take bathroom and bathing safety seriously. Use these tips and bathroom accessories to keep your loved one clean and safe.
Looking for more information on bathroom safety, equipment, and caregiving tips? Check out this link to find out if you have free access to additional Trualta caregiving resources.
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