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17 Shower Safety Tips For The Elderly
Shower Safety Aids For The Elderly
Frequently Asked Questions
Shower safety for seniors involves measures to prevent falls and injuries in the bathroom. This includes installing grab bars, using non-slip mats, and considering a shower chair or bench. Regular cleaning to prevent mold and mildew, as well as maintaining a comfortable temperature to avoid burns, are also crucial. It’s advisable to have a caregiver nearby during showers for added safety.
Seniors deserve to relax and rejuvenate in their showers without worrying about the risks of falling. In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to create a safe shower environment that promotes comfort and reduces the risk of accidents.
Whether you’re a senior yourself or have a loved one who needs a little extra support, read on to learn how to stay safe and stylish in the shower.
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that approximately 234,000 people over the age of 15 report to emergency departments yearly due to bathroom-related injuries. A good portion of those injuries occur in showers and bathtubs.
Following these recommendations will give you and your senior loved one a greater chance of avoiding any injury in the shower.
Generally, for an older adult, the bathroom can be the most dangerous place in their home. Most bathrooms in older homes are small and filled with hard surfaces.
The tasks that are normally performed in the bathroom require cognitive skills, visual perceptual skills, good balance and mobility.
Unfortunately, as we all grow older – these skills tend to diminish and as a result – the tasks that are taken for granted during so much of our lives become more difficult and dangerous.
But – there are ways that you can improve bathroom safety for your elderly parents or senior loved ones.
17 Shower Safety Tips For The Elderly
Showers don’t have to be a scary place for seniors. Some may require some construction and remodeling while others will just need a few tweaks to make them safer.
The important thing to remember is to make them as safe as possible.
As an occupational therapist I used to perform home assessments regularly.
The physical therapist and I would go to the patients’ home with them to see if they had any mobility issues and other problems throughout their home – including the bathroom.
Here are a few tips on shower safety features that I used to give my patients when I performed their home assessments.
All of these can give you an accessible bathroom for the elderly people in your life or for yourself as you age in place in your home.
Some of the recommendations require home modifications, such as walk-in showers and installing grab bars.
1. Lighting And Lots Of It
Lighting plays a crucial role in any space, but it becomes even more important when it comes to spaces like the bathroom and the shower for older adults. As we age, our eyesight changes, and we need more light to see clearly.
Poor lighting can increase the risk of falls, slips, and other accidents, particularly for older adults who may have reduced mobility and balance.
In the bathroom, proper lighting is essential for performing daily tasks such as shaving, applying makeup, or brushing teeth.
It is also important for older adults to be able to see the floor and walls clearly to avoid any obstacles or hazards. Installing bright, evenly distributed lighting fixtures is a great way to improve visibility in the bathroom.
Additionally, using task lighting above the mirror can help older adults see their face more clearly while getting ready.
When it comes to the shower, proper lighting is just as important. Many accidents in the shower occur because of poor visibility due to dim lighting.
To prevent slips and falls, it is recommended to install waterproof lighting fixtures in the shower. These can be recessed lights or surface-mounted fixtures that provide ample light without posing any risk of electrical hazards.
It is also essential to ensure that the lighting fixtures are not placed in a location where they can be easily bumped into or accidentally hit.
Another important factor to consider when it comes to lighting for older adults is color temperature. The color temperature of light can impact our mood, energy levels, and overall well-being.
It is recommended to use lighting with a warm color temperature in the bathroom and shower. Warm light can create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, making it easier for older adults to feel calm and comfortable in these spaces.
In addition to installing proper lighting fixtures, it is also essential to maintain them regularly. Keeping the fixtures clean and replacing any bulbs that are burnt out can help ensure that the lighting remains bright and effective.
Furthermore, older adults should always have easy access to the light switches in the bathroom and shower to avoid any accidents or mishaps.
In conclusion, proper lighting in the bathroom and shower is crucial for older adults’ safety and well-being. It is important to install bright, evenly distributed lighting fixtures and use warm color temperature lighting to create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere.
Additionally, regular maintenance and easy access to light switches can help prevent accidents and ensure that the lighting remains effective.
2. Remove The Shower Clutter
An elderly person having to sort through several bottles, sponges, etc. to find what they need in the shower can, at some point, cause them to move in such a way that they could fall.
If your shower has multiple shampoo bottles, conditioners, sponges soaps and other products – clean it up.
Keep only what is needed in the shower space and keep these items in a place that is easily reachable.
Personally, I love the Deluxe Shampoo and Soap Dispenser that I found on Amazon.
My mom loved having that in her shower. It made all the difference in the world for her.
3. Keep The Shower Clean
It’s important to keep your shower clean to prevent mold and mildew growth, which can make surfaces slippery. In addition, soap scum and mildew can build up on tile floors and in tubs, making them more slippery.
Wipe down showers after each use with a moisture-resistant cleaner, such as vinegar or lemon juice diluted with water.
Scrub tough stains with a nonabrasive cleaner and a soft brush.
In addition, open up the shower curtain or door after each use to allow air circulation and reduce moisture build-up.
4. Barrier Free Walk-in Showers
Most of the showers in the condo units my patients lived in had a 2 or 3 inch threshold.
Normally this works well but if you are using a walker, a wheelchair or have trouble lifting your legs, getting over that seemingly small “hump” can be daunting.
Barrier free shower stalls are a good idea for anyone aging in place.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends that the minimum size of a walk-in shower by 36 inches by 36 inches.
So the recommendation is, if possible, to remodel the shower as a walk-in shower.
If you don’t already have a handyman who can do this kind of work I can recommend going to your local hardware store (i.e. Home Depot or Lowes) and asking for help there.
The shower design of these zero-threshold walk-in models eliminate any threshold making it much more senior friendly and safe.
When my mother moved into her home she had the shower in her master bathroom re-constructed as a walk-in.
In addition – she had the shower faucets installed by the shower entrance so that she could turn the water on before she entered the shower.
This gave her water flow time to get to the warmer temperature that she needed without her having to sit under the cold water flow waiting for it to heat up.
5. Non Slip Shower Floors
Most of us remember the shower and bathtub stickies our parents used to keep us kids from slipping in the bathtub.
These days, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and frankly, they’ve grown up to accommodate any bathtub or shower.
They are a good, inexpensive solution to helping to eliminate slippery surfaces in the shower and/or bathtub.
There are also other solutions available such as…
- Non-slip floor tiles
- Anti-slip coatings that you “paint” on your floor
6. Non Slip Rugs and Mats
Stepping out of the shower or bathtub also presents a problem, even if you have a walk-in shower.
You’re wet and the floors in bathrooms are normally slippery. So, using non-slip mats is very important.
7. Grab Bars for Showers
A second recommendation that would require some construction (although very minor) is the installation of one or more grab bars drilled into the shower wall. (Read why I generally do not recommend grab bars with suction cups).
(If you are going to install these – please first read my article on Where To Put Grab Bars In The Bathroom – might as well have them installed elsewhere as needed.
Ideally, you want to test the best place to install these grab bars by seeing where the easy to reach places are for the person using the shower.
Normally, a handyman can install these for you.
Here’s a video from Lowes on grab bar installations
8. Replace Towel Bars with Grab Bars
I have worked with several older adults who ended up in rehabilitation hospitals because they lost their balance in the bathroom and instinctively reached for the towel bar.
The problem is that a standard towel bar cannot hold your weight.
So, my patients went down while holding the towel bar which came down with them!
One solution to this is to simply replace those flimsy bars with a good, strong grab bar!
9. Tub Transfer Benches and Shower Chairs
There are basically two types of shower seating recommended for seniors:
- Shower Seats – these can be as high end as built in to the shower, made of teak wood and are available in many different design styles. Of course, there are also the types of shower seats that you can find in medical equipment stores.
- Tub Transfer Benches – these types of benches are mostly used for seniors who have a shower inside the bathtub AND for seniors who may have a difficult time walking in to the shower. Transfer benches are much longer so that they can fit over the lip of the shower or bathtub and they are not as stylish and decorative as shower benches.
- Note: some shower seats and benches also include a toilet seat and some shower benches have a rotating disk to help the elderly person turn on the bench. Personally, I do not recommend these turning disks simply because it would be quite difficult for most seniors to get their legs up high enough to make the turn sufficient enough to be safe.
When choosing a shower seat or bench, just make sure to purchase one that has rubber tips on the legs to keep it from slipping.
10. Anti-Scalding Devices
As people age, their skin becomes thinner and more sensitive, which makes them more susceptible to burns and scalds. This is especially true when it comes to hot water in the shower, which can quickly lead to serious injuries.
One way to prevent these injuries is by installing anti-scalding devices in the shower. These devices regulate the temperature of the water, ensuring that it never reaches a dangerous level.
This can be especially important for older adults, who may have difficulty sensing when water is too hot or moving quickly enough to get out of the way.
Anti-scalding devices can come in a variety of forms, including thermostatic mixing valves, pressure-balancing valves, and temperature-limiting devices. Each of these devices works in a slightly different way, but they all serve the same basic purpose: to prevent hot water from causing burns and scalds.
Installing anti-scalding devices is a simple and effective way to make the shower safer for older adults. They can provide peace of mind for both the older adults themselves and their caregivers, who may worry about the risk of injury.
Additionally, by preventing burns and scalds, anti-scalding devices can help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life, as they won’t have to worry about sustaining injuries in the shower.
11. Split Shower Curtains to Prevent Spillage
If your shower is inside a bathtub and you’re using a transfer bench or a tub bench, you are probably unable to wrap the shower curtain (or liner) inside the tub to avoid water spilling out.
Well, the thing to then use is what’s called a split shower curtain.
It’s already cut to accommodate the bench and helps to greatly reduce the amount of water that can spill out onto the floor.
12. Walk-In Tubs With and Shower Combos
If your senior loved one enjoys baths and they are able to upgrade their traditional bathtub to a walk-in tub then you’ll be pleased to know that these days there are shower / tub combos that can provide the “complete experience”.
There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether or not to install a walk in tub, whether it has a shower package or not.
The Pros Of Walk-In Tubs Include:
- Low thresholds: The standard height of a walk-in tub threshold ranges from 3” to 7” high. That means that a senior doesn’t have to raise their foot too high to get into one like they do to for a traditional bathtub, which has a 14 inch rim.
- Grab bars: In general, walk-in tubs are ADA compliant so they have at least one built-in grab bar inside the tub. This makes it safer for a bather who might be in danger of sliding off the seat of the tub. Grab bars allow more independence and reduce the chance of falling while transitioning into or out of the tub. Also, if the bather does slip off the seat, a grab bar can help them keep their head above water.
- Built-in seats: Walk-in tubs come with seats that are chair height. An elderly person doesn’t have worry about falling when trying to sit all the way down onto the floor of a traditional tub. They also won’t freeze while perching on a stool. Many walk-in tubs have contoured seats with anti-slip texturing. This gives the user more room to move around when bathing and makes it easier for them to get up or down without falling.
- Read more in our article on the Safety of Walk In Tubs
The Cons Of Walk-In Tubs Include:
- High walls: In a medical emergency (or if you were to get stuck), walk-in tubs have high walls that make it much more difficult to get someone out of the tub. These high walls also mean the tub hold more water, which is a drowning hazard. We realize that people can also drown in a traditional tub, but bathers want to fill walk-in tubs with more water so they can use the jets. If the tub doesn’t have a quick drain safety feature, it could take about 15 minutes to drain one.
- Potential for leaking: Walk-in tubs can leak around the seals, causing water to puddle on the floor. This is a slip and fall hazard. Other owners have reported issues with the stoppers leaking, so the tub won’t hold water. Additionally, it can be tough to close and latch the doors on some models. An improperly-latched swing-out door could open while the tub is full, causing the bathroom to flood.
- Scalding: Bathers sit in the tub as it fills, so a mobility-impaired senior may get scalded if the water is too hot and they can’t adjust the temperature fast enough. If you are considering a walk-in tub, make sure to look for one with anti-scald technology.
13. Hand-Held Shower Heads with Wall Mounts
My mother was very reluctant to invest in a hand-held shower head. When we offered to buy her one she refused vehemently.
But we bought her an adjustable hand-held shower wand anyway and she ended up loving it.
In fact, that hand-held shower head, along with her shower chair gave her the independence she so coveted until the day she died.
It has a separate wall mount which you can install on the wall within easy reach.
In addition, it has a pause switch on the handle itself which my mother found very easy to use (even with her arthritic hands).
14. Senior Friendly Lever Faucet Handles
For many seniors like my mother who have arthritic hands, using a round knob shower faucet can be difficult.
We helped her out by replacing that style with a lever faucet.
It was a very easy installation for our handyman and it made a big difference in my mother’s independence when it came to showering herself.
These lever faucets come in many different styles and it would be easy to find one that matches the decor of your bathroom.
15. Curtains vs. Glass Shower Doors
The general consensus is that shower units with a glass door are safer for senior citizens than ones with a curtain.
But, I say that it all depends on the size of the shower, the physical needs of the elderly person using the shower and of course, your budget.
Modern shower doors can also be made of laminated glass or laminated tempered glass. This safety glass product is formed by adhering two sheets of glass to a central sheet of transparent vinyl. The result is a panel that remains intact even if the glass gets broken. Laminated glass or laminated tempered glass is used when a homeowner has special safety concerns for a shower door.
abcglassandmirror.com
Here are issues to consider when deciding between shower curtains or glass shower doors.
- If your shower is an older shower with glass doors, chances are that the glass is not tempered meaning that if you fell through that glass it will easily shatter. I would strongly recommend to replace that old door with a newer, frameless shower door with tempered glass.
- About frameless shower doors. The newer glass shower doors these days can be frameless. I personally have this type of door. These have no track which means that it’s much easier to clean, there’s no track to step over and there’s less chance of scraping your skin against the track and causing a skin tear.
- Light is extremely important for older adults. Glass shower doors tend to allow more light into the shower stall than a curtain would.
- Curtains tend to blow in while taking a shower which means they can get in the way or even tangled in the shower chair or bench. This is not only annoying but can be a hazard. BUT – if you must have a shower curtain, at least get one that is weighted.
- Curtains can be pulled back much more than a glass door so if your shower has a small entryway then perhaps a weighted shower curtain would be the better option for you.
- If the elderly person in the shower requires someone to help them – depending on the size of the shower stall, it may be easier for an aide to help them if there is a curtain vs. a door.
16. Portable Showers
I know that most seniors aging in place and most caregivers do not use portable showers and would instead opt for sponge baths.
But I have worked with several patients who had portable showers set up in their homes and it may be a luxury to some but being able to take a shower no matter what your physical condition is priceless to many of us.
When would you use a portable shower?
I would recommend this mostly for seniors living in a two-story home.
Whether your elderly parent lives in a 2 story or they are moving into your multi level home, most do not have a main level master (or guest) bedroom complete with what realtors call a 3 piece bathroom (sink, toilet and shower/tub).
If your elderly parent is unable to climb the stairs to get to a shower, and of course if you have the room, a portable shower is an option that you may consider.
Some of these showers are able to accommodate a wheelchair, whereas others have a walk-in platform.
17. Use a Medical Alert System
All elderly people, in my opinion, should have some type of medical alert system with them at all times, but especially in the bathroom. The options could include…
- Alexa devices which can be activated by voice to call someone for help.
- Life Alert which offers a button that can be placed in the shower stall.
- Family 1st Medical Alert System
For more tips on how to make a home senior friendly.
Shower Safety Aids For The Elderly
Along with grab bars, there are other products that you may want to consider when it comes to making the shower safer for your elderly parent(s).
In general – you will always want to address the specific needs of the senior person using the shower.
- If the problem is falling (or fear of falling) – the best product is a shower chair or bench. Also, some method of making the floor as non-slip as possible is important.
- For poor vision – installing a bright ceiling light in the shower may help.
- For severe arthritis – replacing round knobs with levers are an option. Or, knob grippers might work.
- For poor mobility – long handled sponges, back scrubbers, shower stands and hand held shower heads with separate wall mounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best shower for aging in place?
The best shower for aging in place is a barrier-free, walk-in shower with grab bars, non-slip flooring, and adjustable showerheads.
Are grab bars necessary in a senior-friendly shower?
Yes, grab bars are necessary in a senior-friendly shower as they provide support and stability, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
Is it necessary to install anti-scalding devices in a senior-friendly shower?
It may not be absolutely necessary to install anti-scalding devices in a senior-friendly shower, but it is certainly recommended. It can help to prevent burns and injuries. Seniors may have a decreased sensitivity to heat and require extra protection to prevent accidental scalding.