How Do I Make the Bathroom Safer for an Aging Parent?
Daily Living Aids · Home safety · 5 min
Short answer: Let them sit while they shower, give them something solid to hold, and stop the floor from being slippery. Those three changes deal with the most common bathroom risks, and most take an afternoon.
Why the bathroom. The CDC reports that more than one in four older adults falls each year, and fewer than half tell their doctor. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury in older adults. Wet floors, stepping over a tub edge and standing on one leg to wash make the bathroom a common place for falls.
A room checklist
- Sit to shower. UF Health recommends a shower chair or bench while bathing. A chair with a back and adjustable legs lets your parent wash without balancing.
- Add two grab bars. One for getting in and out of the tub, one for standing up. Never use a towel rack as a grab bar; it isn't built to hold body weight.
- Stop slipping. Non-slip mats or decals inside the tub, and keep the floor outside it dry.
- Prevent burns. UF Health suggests setting the water heater to 120°F (49°C).
- Make the toilet easier. A raised toilet seat or frame helps with standing up.
- Light the way. A night light between bedroom and bathroom helps with night trips.
- Ask for an expert look. Your parent's doctor can refer you to an occupational therapist who checks the home in person.
From our store
- CareGuard Shower Chair with Back — adjustable height, holds up to 350 lb, ships from a US warehouse.
- SafeBath Adjustable Shower Stool — a compact, backless option for smaller showers.
- CallBell Solid Brass Bedside Call Bell — a simple way to call for help from the bathroom or bedroom.
Sources: CDC — Facts About Older Adult Falls · UF Health — Bathroom Safety for Adults
This article is general information, not medical advice. Please talk with your parent's doctor about their specific needs.
