Bathrooms

Keeping Your Loved One Safe at Home Reducing the Risk of Accidents and Falls for Seniors

• Install grab bars in and next to bathtubs and showers, and near toilets, and be sure they are screwed directly to wall studs for safety.
• Encourage your loved one to wipe up spills from the shower or tub immediately, or carpet the entire bathroom to avoid slips or falls.
• Provide a shower seat and shower hose if your loved one is unable to stand safely while showering.
• Encourage your loved one to avoid using any electrical equipment in the bathroom as much as possible. Water contact with this equipment may cause electrical shock.
• Also, encourage your loved one to avoid using bath oil in the tub or shower.
• Install a hand-held shower head, so your family member can control the flow of water.
• Be sure there are nonskid mats or rubberized decals on the bottom of bathtubs and showers.
• Be sure the water heater is set below 120 degrees.