There are a lot of safety hazards around the home, especially for the elderly who are more prone to falls and slips than younger individuals. In fact, studies have shown that falls account for 60% of all injury-related hospital visits and 50% of injury-related deaths among individuals aged 65 and above. Unfortunately, 80% of these falls in the home happen in the bathroom.
So, if you have a senior living at home, it’s very important to upgrade your bathroom with measures that will allow him to use it safely. One of these investments should be a good quality shower door. Here are some of its advantages over a shower curtain:
- It is more stable. A frameless shower door is a lot more stable than your typical shower curtain that provide no support at all. In case a senior loses his balance or feels weak, he can easily lean on the shower door until he feels better or can seek help. You can’t get the same support from a shower curtain.
- It doesn’t cause tangles. Shower curtains are typically slippery, especially when wet and they can be everywhere if you don’t tuck them together properly. This could easily cause tangles for seniors and result on falls. A shower glass door, on the other hand, can act like a wall while making your bathroom look more organized.
- It’s very easy to maintain. Unlike shower curtains that you need to wash often and even replace every few months, a good quality shower door can last for years with little maintenance. You just need to spray and wipe it down, and you’re good to go. This is especially beneficial for carers who have a lot of things to do in caring for senior family members.
Additional tips for a safer bathroom for seniors
Aside from investing in the best frameless shower doors, here are more tips to help create a safe bathroom for a senior family member:
- Keep things to a minimum. Remove anything that’s not useful in the bathroom to avoid clutter that could result to accidents.
- Invest in non-slip floors. You can replace old tiles with non-slip ones that offer better grip to your elderly’s feet. And if you have a tub, make sure that you have a non-slip mat on it. Avoid using rugs in the bathroom except for those rubberized non-slip ones since ordinary rugs tend to be slippery when moisture accumulate under them.
- Place grab bars around the bathroom. Whether it’s in the shower, the toilet or near the door, you can add grab bars that the elderly can hold on to for balance and stability.
- Put a shower bench. In most cases, seniors can’t tolerate standing for a long time, especially when taking a shower. This is why a shower bench would help them stay comfortable while they are in the bathroom.
Safety should definitely be a priority when you have seniors living at home, so investing in frameless shower doors and other safety measures are definitely worthwhile. Our team at MBR Glassworks makes sure to provide the highest quality shower doors to ensure the safety of your loved ones. If you live in Mesa, Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale, Glendale or Gilbert feel free to contact us at 602-403-3185 or email us at mbrglassworks@hotmail.com.