Ensuring bathroom access and safety is necessary for older adults. Most accidents occur at home, so family members with older relatives need to access their loved ones’ bathroom. Some home bathrooms are easy to equip for safety and others need more extensive room renovations for those who wish to stay at home and remain independent.

Bathtub Safety
Falls often occur when getting in or out of the tub. Non-slip suction mats or rubber silicone appliqués in the tub will help prevent falls. A non-skid, latex-coated bath mat on the floor beside the tub also provides firm footing. Consider one of the new walk-in bath tubs available on the market today. Although expensive, they provide additional safety since the bather doesn’t need to climb in or out.

Safety Bars
Grab bars around the bathtub and toilets are a safety necessity. These bars should be institutional-grade, stainless steel and installed according to the manufacturer’s directions for firm, solid support. Don’t rely on the cheaper model you’ll find in bed and bath stores - they are more decorate and don’t provide the solid support needed. These bars are expensive, but, when properly installed, will support a person who loses balance. You’ll find a wide selection of grab bars in multiple finishes and styles at Disposable Medical Express.

Two types of grab bars may be needed at the tub for the ambulant older person:

1. For use in getting in and out of the tub from a standing position;
2. For use when lowering or raising the body to or from a seated position in the tub.

U-shaped bars are generally available in 12- to 40-inch lengths and may be secured vertically or horizontally to a wall. A vertically placed U-bar, attached to the side wall at the foot of the tub, allows safe entry and exit. Horizontally placed support bars are best for lowering or raising the body to the seated position in the tub. A 12- to 15-inch grab bar can be placed at the foot of the tub and add another longer one along the back wall for added safety.

Tub Seats
A variety of portable seats, chairs and benches and transfer benches are available if sitting on the bathtub floor is difficult or impossible. The seat can be used to swing into the tub and remain elevated during bathing so you don’t have to get on the bathtub’s floor. When using these seats in the tub, a hand-held showerhead is also needed.

Shower Bars
An angle bar attached to two walls of a shower provides support while standing in the shower, or as an aid to sitting and rising if using a bath bench or chair. Use a non-slip suction mat on the shower floor and a non-skid bath mat outside of the shower to avoid slipping.

Water Temperature and Controls
A single-lever mixing faucet can control temperature and flow of water better than dual controls. All hot water in an older person’s home should be controlled thermostatically to a maximum temperature of 120 degrees to avoid burns. you can find thermostatic control shower controllers online, thru specialty plumbing stores, or you can often special order these items from home improvement stores.

Toilet Safety
The standard 15- to 17-inch height of toilet seats creates a problem for many people, especially those with arthritis, hip, knee or back problems. Elevate the seat 5- to 7- inches for better leverage when standing. There are several types of removable and permanently fixed raised toilet seats available at Disposable Medical Express.