Cleanliness is important. How neat and clean you are says a lot about
you. It tells the world that you care
about how you look and how you feel. Cleanliness
is important at every age, but even more so when you are older. Being neat and clean tells everyone that you
are doing “just fine, thank you very much”, and that is
the way you want to be perceived.
Most people do not consider bathing a dangerous activity. A relaxing bubble bath or a steamy shower sounds
like pure bliss, but statistics tell us differently. The bathroom is undeniably one of the most
dangerous rooms in the house. Protruding shelves, sharp edges, and slippery
surfaces make time spent in the bathroom an “iffy” situation. An
unbelievable number of emergency calls revolve around bathroom falls.
A bathtub is a standard item in most homes. Bathing is so commonplace that we forget to
think about everyday safety measures. Children
and anyone with medical issues or disabilities are especially prone to bathroom
accidents.
Anyone can slip and fall in
the bathroom, but the risk increases when people get older. “Nonsense,” you say”. “I have been bathing myself all of my life,
what could possibly go wrong”? A great
deal can go wrong. The usual props like towel racks and shower curtains may
give you a sense of security, but they are not sturdy enough to break your
fall. They are not designed to bear weight.
Chronic illness, medication
side effects, decreased strength and balance issues are all reasons why bathing
assistance is a good idea. At the very
least someone else should be in the house when you bathe. It is
human nature to resist being supervised during this very private time, but the
time comes when safety is more important than modesty.
Alarm
bracelets and portable phones are
heaven sent, and should be within reach at all times. I learned when working with seniors that this
doesn’t always happen. You would be
surprised how often alarm pendants and phones are left on the nightstand in the
bedroom. All of the alarms in the world won’t save you if you don’t have them
with you.
If I had my way every home
would have alarm buttons, walk in bathtubs and threshold free showers (complete with a shower chair), but that is not always
possible. It is a good plan, but what do you do while
waiting for that plan to come together? A
few easy-to-install devices can make your bathroom a safer place. Non-slip mats, grab bars, shower chairs, tub
chairs, vanities minus sharp edges, and raised toilet seats can made a
difference. You will be pleased to hear
that safety features do not have to be unsightly. Universal
design has become so popular that you can find grab bars and other safety
features that will blend into your bathroom décor perfectly. While some
consumers are perfectly happy with inexpensive utilitarian products, higher end
products are available to fit any budget. Please make bathroom safety features a
priority.
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