29 April 2020
For older adults and anyone living with a long-term health condition, the bathroom can be a hazardous place for slips and falls. Fortunately, there are precautionary steps everyone can take to minimise the risks of falls in the bathroom.
To reduce the risk of falls from over-exertion through standing, chairs and stools offer effective support. Shower seats and stools are particularly useful for anyone who is concerned about standing up for a long time in the shower and users can wash and maintain their hygiene levels very satisfactorily in a more comfortable and safer position.
Shower stools, such as the Shower Stool with Handles can simply be placed in the shower tray and removed when not needed. Alternatively, a shower seat with a back and arms for extra support might be more suitable. If space is an issue, chairs such as the Folding Shower Seat can be fitted to the wall and folded up when not in use.
Many people enjoy having the option of taking a bath or shower, but accessing the bathtub or having to lift oneself in or out of the bath can cause people to feel unsteady, or avoid using the bath altogether.
Healthcare Pro provides a range of supportive bathing equipment that enables people to use their bath safely by reducing the risk of slips and falls. A bath board, such as the Slatted Bath Board, is an effective piece of bathing equipment that fits on top of the bath and enables someone to rotate themselves into the bath, rather than stepping over the side, reducing the risk of becoming unbalanced and experiencing a fall. Bath lifts or an inflatable bathing cushion can support those who also require assistance lowering or lifting themselves out of the tub.
During and after a bath or shower, surfaces will be wet and can increase the likelihood of slipping. Mats can be placed not only on the bathroom floor, but also in the bathtub or shower tray. Bathmats such as the Rubber Bathmat are shaped to fit along the bottom of the bath to reduce the possibility of falls before and after bathing.
Bathroom grab rails offer something to hold on to and help with poor balance in the bathroom. Some grab rails can be attached to the wall and others, such as the Bathroom Safety Rail, are manufactured especially for the bath, giving the person something to grip and stabilise themselves with when stepping over the side.
As well as providing extra accessibility to elevated bathtubs and shower trays, a bathroom step, offers a better gripped surface to stand on to avoid stepping straight onto a wet and slippery floor, reducing the risk of falls.
These are just a few ways that the bathroom can be adapted to reduce the risk of slips and falls, enabling more people to feel confident, maintain their independence and relax during their bathing or showering routine. You can view our full bathroom range here.
By subscribing you consent to us using your email address in accordance with our privacy policy.