Electric Mobility Scooters

A consistent cause of injury in elderly people is slipping or falling in the shower. As we age and our coordination and muscle control diminishes, these kinds of accidents inevitably grow more prevalent. This is a great cause of concern for family members of any elderly relative living alone, especially since one small slip can result in serious injury.

But family members need not worry completely, because there are products that can help alleviate this problem. For added stability and safety in the shower, consider investing in any number of shower chairs. These sturdy and well made chairs allow the user to sit while taking a shower, so they aren’t subjected to slippery floors and potentially serious accidents.

For a myriad of reasons, traditional toilet seats are often difficult to access. Many times this is due to old age and physical disabilities that prevent people from being able to comfortably get on and off the seat. It also can be as issue for people of an exceptional height who are forced to sit uncomfortably low to the ground.

Traditional raised toilets came with a litany of logistical problems, but recent innovations have made toilet risers more convenient and effective. You can now find elevated toilet seat options that discreetly attach of the base of the unit. They add roughly four inches of height, which is enough to solve the problems of traditional seats without prohibiting usage for the rest of the people in a household.

When I broke my leg a few years ago, I underestimated how difficult everyday tasks would be. I anticipated having trouble getting in and out of the car and going up stairs, but I had taken for granted some of the simple things in life, such as taking a shower. The first time I attempted to bathe with my cast on, it was a grueling hour-long process.

First I had to don a specialized bag to keep my cast from getting wet and then hop into the shower without putting any weight on my leg. Next, I had to balance myself while attempting to wash my entire body. After one time going through this process, I decided to invest in a shower chair, which made the process infinitely easier.

When my grandma reached her nineties, it became increasingly difficult for her to take care of herself. Our family was eventually forced to get her an in-home caregiver, something that my grandma was not too thrilled about. She didn’t want someone constantly hovering over her, and desired to maintain some of her independence.

In order to give her privacy in the bathroom, my family outfitted her shower and tub with handles and grips to help her keep her balance. We also added a portable commode, so she wouldn’t have to hurry in the case of an emergency. This specially designed shower commode chair is waterproof so it can easily be placed in the shower.

When your loved ones become old and a little rusty in functionality, it’s in their best interest to purchase the tools necessary to ensure their safety. Walkers and canes are popular walking aids for the elderly and are easy to find just about anywhere. Moist adult wipes are another easy-to-find option that can save everyone the fuss of a messy cleanup. And Velcro shoes will save you minutes daily when it comes to helping your grandma or grandpa get in and out of their shoes.

But let’s not forget the slippery slope of self cleansing. For most people in the later portion of their elderly lives, this is a two-person job. Getting in and out of a bathtub or trying to maintain balance in a wet shower stall can be challenging and dangerous for the elderly. Shower chairs are a must have in any household that has a grandma or grandpa. Your loved one will be safe and secure as they are perched on a shower chair. Not to mention it’s a heck of a lot easier to reach all of their appendages waiting to be cleaned.

A bath chair is one of the most basic necessities for children and adults with special needs. Bath chairs are designed to sit in bathtubs and support people who may fatigue easily during bathing or who cannot support themselves while bathing. They can also help caretakers transfer special needs children or adults into the bathtub. Articulating bath chairs are adjustable to angle the child or adult at different angles for optimum bathing assistance.

One of the most important elements of a bath chair is that it should have slip-resistant feet. Ideally the feet of a bath chair will come with rubberized grips that will resist skidding on the tub floor. Nothing would be worse than being injured during a nice, relaxing bath! Also, bath chairs should be mold and mildew resistant and easy-to-clean.

According to the National Safety Council, more than 400 people drown in bathtubs each year. Even more injure themselves by slipping and falling in the tub. This is especially a concern for older adults who have trouble maintaining their balance on slick tub floors. The time most people are prone to slipping is while entering or exiting the tub, when they have only one foot on the ground. Tub transfer benches are enormously helpful for preventing falls; they fit over the edge of the tub and have legs both inside and out of the tub. This allows you to sit on the bench and slide across until you are safely inside the tub.

While tub transfer benches are key for safety, there are several more tips to prevent falls in the tub. First, install a non-slip bath mat inside the tub to get rid of slick surfaces. Allow plenty of time for your bath or shower so you don’t rush and slip. Always be aware of where your feet are so you can maintain your balance; keeping two feet on the ground at all times will help minimize falls. If you’re still wary of falling, ask a friend or family member to stay within voice distance of the bathroom while you bathe. That way they can assist you if you need to call out for help. These precautions and tools can help you enjoy showers and baths without fear of falling.

When caring for shower commodes and stools, it’s important to perform regular cleaning. Just as shower tile often becomes inundated with mildew if left alone for a significant amount of time, shower commodes and stools need to be cleaned often. It’s important to use a standard scrub brush and tile soap at least once a month to clean a shower commode or shower stool. There are also several cleaning products that can protect a commode or stool from mildew. It’s also possible to use an automated shower cleaner, and leave the commode or stool in the shower as it self cleans. However, make sure to take a scrub brush and cleaner to the underside now and then to prevent mildew from building up in that location.

When mildew gets out of hand, it can also cause other mildew to manifest at a faster pace, so it’s best to keep the shower at a minimum at all times. Even a small amount of mildew in the cracks can translate into a breakout in the near future.

From your shower to your clothes hamper, the bathroom is one of the most personal rooms in the house. Yet, safety and health often come second to convenience and comfort. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of potential hazards. There are simple precautions you can take to reduce your risks, and improve your quality of life.

• Consider putting a cordless phone in the bathroom in a low area in case of an emergency.
• Use a toilet seat riser or toilet safety stand, which fits around the toilet area; which provides handrails for extra support.
• Install permanent/fixed grab bars in areas where you might need a little extra mobility support.
• Medication’s shelf life is better if kept in a cool dry area. Thus it is not recommmended to store medicines in the “medicine cabinet”. Also, check frequently for medication that has passed its expiration date. Discard unused medication to avoid accidental confusion.  
• Frequent handwashing with antibacterial soap helps to kill germs , that can spread colds or the flu.
• Throw rugs could “throw” you! It is recommended to eliminate them throughout your home. They can be a slipping hazard. If possible use a wall-to-wall non-skid rug in the bathroom (without extra scattered rugs).
• Set your water heater to 120°F degrees or lower, to prevent scalding.

For seniors, bathing is relaxing experience that can address soreness in the bones and sooth old injuries.  However, it’s also important for seniors to take precautions to remain safe while bathing.  For most seniors, falling while in the shower or in the bathroom can be a real danger, and to remedy this, it’s important to have the proper equipment in place. Items like a bath chair, shower railings, and bath mats are important to have in place in the senior’s bathroom.  These items will prevent spills and slips in the shower, and can even save lives.  It’s a good idea to have a friend or relative install all of these items in the bathroom and ensure that they’re updated when needed. 

When placing a bath chair in the shower, ensure that the bottom is secured with a bath mat so that the chair doesn’t move around in the shower.  If the bath chair were not secured, it could slip and the senior sitting on it could fall.