Bathroom Safety - A Shower Chair or Bath Bench

More than one in three persons over age 65 fall each year at home, often in the bathroom while attempting to shower or bathe. Standing up while showering or attempting to safely climb in and out of the bathtub can be difficult tasks for people with balance and physical limitations. In fact, up to one-third of elders have difficulty getting into or out of a bathtub or shower.

Shower chairs, shower stools and bath benches are a good option to help with bathing safety and fall avoidance.

Shower Chairs

Shower chairs are ideal for people who have poor balance when showering. A shower chair provides stability for people who have difficulty balancing and also serves as a resting place for those who have difficulty standing for long periods of time. A chair with a back is appropriate for persons with limited back strength or balance. A good shower chair has rubber tips on the legs to prevent sliding and when used with a hand-held showerhead, a person can remain seated while bathing. An advantage of shower chairs is they can easily be removed from the shower when others in the household wish to take a shower.

Bath Benches

A bath bench eliminates the problem of stepping in or out of the tub. Benches are ideal for individuals with poor balance or for those having difficulty getting in and out of the bathtub. Individuals can get into the tub safely by sitting down on the bench outside the tub, then sliding over, and into, the tub. The bench is often used with a hand-held showerhead, allowing someone to remain seated while bathing. Benches are available in a variety of sizes and some come with a back support that is appropriate for people with limited balance or who simply want the security of more support.

Nonslip Surfaces

Regardless of how you choose to get into or out of the shower/tub, the combination of water on tiles can be dangerous. Here are some do’s and don’ts for avoiding slips in the bathroom:

 DO invest in a nonslip mat. Having a nonslip mat  on the floor of the shower or tub, as well as a nonslip rug on the floor when stepping out of the tub or shower, can not only prevent slipping on wet tiles but also helps individuals feel more stable.

• DON NOt use a towel instead. Stepping onto a towel is bad because the towel can easily slide away from underneath the feet, leaving someone vulnerable to falls and injuries.
• DO use nonslip strips in the tub or shower. A mat or nonslip adhesive strips applied to the bathtub and shower floor surface provides stable footing