Tips For Making Your Bathroom Safer When You Have Limited Mobility
The bathroom is a dangerous place when you have problems with mobility due to a medical condition, advancing age, or an injury. A fall on a hard floor or porcelain could be very serious. Fortunately, there are supplies and equipment you can buy from a medical supply store that make your bathroom much safer and easier to use. Here's a look at some of the things that may help you.
The Commode
Getting off the commode is often difficult because the seat is so low to the ground that it takes a lot of strength and balance to stand back up again. The solution to this problem is to install an elevated seat on your toilet along with handrails at the side. That way, it will be easier to stand back up, plus you'll have rails to keep you steady and safe. Another thing to consider is getting a bedside commode. By having a toilet near your bed, you can eliminate hurrying to the bathroom when it is dark, which increases your risk of falling.
The Bathtub
One important thing to do in your bathtub to prevent falls is to place a suction mat or gripping stickers on the bottom of the tub so it isn't so slick. You should also place stickers or a non-slip rug outside of your tub so you don't slip as you get out with wet feet. Grab bars are essential too. Always hold one as you get in and out of the tub to help maintain your balance. Be sure the bars are bolted firmly to the wall so they are secure.
A major problem with taking a bath when you have limited mobility is that it is difficult to get back out of the tub when you are stretched out on the bottom. For that reason, you may want to use a shower seat rather than lowering yourself all the way to the bottom of the tub. You can even buy a seat that transfers you into the tub so you can sit down outside the tub and slide inside. This way you are sitting and balanced when you move your legs over the side. The ultimate solution may be to install a walk-in tub so you can enjoy soaking, yet still be safe while entering and exiting your bathtub.
The Lighting
Proper lighting is also very important for safety in the bathroom. You can install night lights in the hallway and bathroom so it is always illuminated when you walk inside during the night. The overhead lighting should be bright enough that you can see wet spills on the floor and other hazards that could cause you to slip or trip when you're bathing or dressing. If you need to get up during the night often, and you don't want to use a bedside commode, be sure the entire path from your bed to the bathroom is illuminated well enough that you can see anything in your way such as a sleeping pet or dropped shoe.
If you also have problems manipulating your hands or if you have limited range of motion in your arms or body, you may need to buy some adaptive equipment that makes it easier for you to bathe and go to the bathroom. There are arched back scrubbers and sponges on sticks to make bathing easier. You can even buy a wiping device on a stick to make it easy to maintain personal hygiene. You can find all kinds of things at a medical supply store that make it easier to keep up with personal grooming even though you have trouble with your mobility. For more information, contact companies like Alaska Mobility.
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