Bathroom safety for adults
Description
Older adults and people with medical problems are at risk of falling or tripping. This can result in broken bones or more serious injuries. The bathroom is a place in the home where falls often happen. Making changes in your bathroom helps lower your risk of falling.
Alternative Names
Older adult bathroom safety; Falls - bathroom safety
What to Consider at Home
Staying safe in the bathroom is important for people with joint pain, muscle weakness, or physical disability. If you have any of these issues, you will need to take precautions in your bathroom. Remove all floor coverings and anything that blocks the entry.
Bath or Shower
To protect yourself when you take a bath or shower:
- Put non-slip suction mats or rubber silicone decals in the bottom of your tub to prevent falls.
- Use a non-skid bath mat outside the tub for firm footing.
- If you do not already have one, install a single lever on your faucet to mix hot and cold water together.
- Set the temperature on your water heater to 120°F (49°C) to prevent burns.
- Sit on a bath chair or bench when taking a shower.
- Keep the floor outside the tub or shower dry.
The Toilet
Always urinate sitting down and don't get up suddenly after urinating.
Raising the toilet seat height can help prevent falls. You can do this by adding an elevated toilet seat. You can also use a commode chair instead of a toilet.
Consider a special seat called a portable bidet. It helps you clean your bottom without using your hands. It sprays warm water to clean, then warm air to dry.
Safety Bars for the Bath and Toilet
You may need to have safety bars in your bathroom. These grab bars should be secured vertically or horizontally to the wall, not diagonally.
Do not use towel racks as grab bars. They can't support your weight.
You will need two grab bars: one to help you get in and out of the tub, and another to help you stand from a sitting position.
When to Call the Doctor
If you are not sure what changes you need to make in your bathroom, ask your health care provider for a referral to an occupational therapist. The occupational therapist can visit your bathroom and make safety recommendations.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. About older adult fall prevention. www.cdc.gov/falls/about/index.html. Updated May 15, 2024. Accessed June 10, 2024.
National Institute on Aging website. Preventing falls at home: room by room. www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/preventing-falls-home-room-room. Updated September 12, 2022. Accessed June 10, 2024.
Studenski S, Van Swearingen JV. Falls. In: Fillit HM, Rockwood K, Young J, eds. Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2017:chap 103.
Reviewed By: Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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