Did you know that 80% of falls in older adults occur in the bathroom? As we age, our risk for falls and falls leading to injury or hospitalization increases. Occupational therapy plays an important role in home modification for older adults to enhance quality of life, safety, and access to ADLs (activities of daily living). One of the most important areas in the home to consider is the bathroom.
If you or an older adult that you know would like to take the steps to enhance safety and reduce fall risk within the home, we have made a list of items and changes that may assist in the prevention of injury or hospitalization along with explanations as to why these home modifications are beneficial.
AOTA
“Occupational therapy practitioners provide client-focused intervention to adapt the environment in order to increase independence, promote health, and prevent further decline or injury.”
Install grab bars.
These can be placed in strategic locations, such as next to the toilet and in the shower or bathtub, to provide additional support and stability. From an occupational therapy perspective, grab bars that can be installed permanently via mounts and screws may be your safest option as temporary grab bars such as suctioned bars that stick to your bathtub/shower tiles can lead to injury as they are not as stable and secure. Grab bars near the toilet or in the shower/bathtub should be installed 33 inches minimum to 36 inches maximum above the finished floor. Try these grab bars for bathtubs & showers here.
Use non-slip flooring.
A slippery bathroom floor can be dangerous, especially for older adults. Consider using non-slip floor tiles or adding a non-slip mat in the bathtub or shower. Non-slip flooring is essential in helping to reduce the risk of falls in the home bathroom. While there are other factors to consider such as shoe type and grip, and safety in wheelchair/walker use, non-slip flooring tiles or a non-slip mat in the shower/bathtub that are slightly textured will provide the best resistance to avoid slippery surfaces. Try this non-slip mat for bathtubs or showers: click here.
Add a walk-in shower.
A walk-in shower with a low threshold and a built-in seat can make it easier for older adults to access the shower. It can also be safer, as there is no need to step over a high tub wall. Not everyone can afford to rip apart their old bathroom and install a brand-new walk-in shower. However, for individuals moving into newer homes or buying a new house, you may want to consider having a walk-in shower in at least one bathroom of the home, especially if you plan to live in that home up until old age.
For those who are living in a home with a bathtub, there are still options and alternatives to help reduce the risk of falls. As occupational therapists, we help older adults and those with lower body injuries get into and out of their bathtubs safely all the time! Please refer to our “Bathtub Safety for Older Adults and Lower Body Injuries” article to assist you on your safety journey. Adding a shower or bathtub chair can help older adults sit while bathing to reduce energy expenditure, and decrease fall risk due to loss of or poor standing balance.
Install a raised toilet.
A raised toilet with armrests can make it easier for older adults to sit down and stand up from the toilet. As we age, our leg strength decreases, and back pain can make it difficult to lower ourselves down into a seated position. Adding a raised toilet or a raised toilet seat that can be installed over the toilet bowl can help older adults lower themselves down into a comfortable and safe position. Installing a raised toilet is the best and safest option, however, other options include purchasing a standard raised toilet seat or a stand-alone raised toilet seat that can be applied on top of or above your existing toilet. Want to try the Drive Medical raised toilet seat with handlebars? Click here to view the product.
Either of these options can be installed or purchased with or without seat handlebars. Keep in mind, handlebar options depend on a person’s physical and spatial needs- for example, if you have a smaller bathroom, installing a toilet seat with handlebars will make the bathroom less safe due to limited turning space- toilet seat handlebars are not recommended in this case. If you are a wheelchair user utilizing a sliding board to assist with transferring from wheelchair to toilet, handlebars will prevent you from transferring safely.
Add a handheld showerhead.
A handheld showerhead can make it easier for older adults to wash their hair and body, as it allows them to direct the water flow to specific areas without having to move around. Handheld shower heads are relatively easy to install and help individuals with poor standing balance or those who need to sit down during bathing. Long-handled loofas are also recommended if completing bathing while in a shower chair to reduce reaching below the base of support to wash the lower body. When we reach below the base of support (reaching down to wash our feet) we can lose our balance and increase the risk of falling. Try this Waterpik handheld shower head with a metal hose, click here to view the product.
Consider the layout.
It can be helpful to arrange the bathroom layout in a way that minimizes the need to bend down or reach up, as these movements can be difficult for older adults. One of the easiest ways to modify the home bathroom for older adults is to arrange the most frequently used items at an appropriate reaching distance. For example, storing extra toilet paper on top of the bathroom counter instead of in a lower or above the head cabinet. Removing barriers like shelves or tables, and items off the floor is also useful to increase the amount of space in the bathroom and reduce the risk of tripping.
Use bright lighting.
Good lighting is important for safety and can help older adults see more clearly. Consider installing brighter bulbs or adding additional lighting fixtures. Last, but not least, ensuring there is adequate lighting not only in the bathroom but throughout the home, is simple to complete and will help will spot barriers and increase spatial awareness.
I hope these simple tips on how to modify your home bathroom either for yourself or for a loved one can help you on your home modification journey to ensure safety and ensure continuation in daily home activities.
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