Falls present a real health risk for older adults, and the bathroom can be particularly perilous. However, understanding the risks and making certain modifications can improve bathroom safety for older adults.
The bathroom can be a dangerous place for older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that
The combination of slippery surfaces, tight spaces, and hard surfaces makes falls and injuries more likely.
Since older adults are already susceptible to falls due to age-related physical changes that affect balance, exercising caution while in the bathroom is essential for avoiding injury.
People can promote bathroom safety by making certain modifications that address the main areas of concern.
Most falls that lead to hospitalization occur in the home, and most of these accidents happen in the bathroom.
There are various reasons for this:
- Transitions: People are at higher risk of losing their balance during transitions, and various transitions occur in the bathroom. For example, they may occur when going from standing to sitting on a toilet and entering and exiting a bathtub or shower.
- Water: Surfaces are slippery when wet, and bathrooms can get very wet. Tubs and showers are the obvious culprits, but tile floors and areas beneath sinks may also become hazardous.
- Tight spaces: Bathrooms are not typically spacious areas. Navigating cramped spaces, which may contain clutter or tripping hazards, can raise the risk of falling.
- Low lighting: It is easier for a person to trip when they cannot see where they are going. This can be an issue in the bathroom during nighttime trips.
Despite these hazards, there are many steps that people can take to mitigate them.
Enhancing safety in the bathroom
Easy modifications
- Add nonslip mats to areas prone to wetness, such as shower floors, and use a bath mat with a rubber backing.
- Remove clutter and other tripping hazards in the bathroom and on the way to it.
- Clean spills and maintain a dry floor outside of the shower or bathtub.
- Organize the bathroom by keeping essential items, such as soap and shampoo, within arm’s reach and easy to access.
- Improve lighting by adding nightlights.
- Adjust the water temperature to prevent it from becoming too hot. Scalding water can cause a person to flinch and lose balance.
Significant modifications
- Update inadequate light fixtures with brighter ones. Consider adding an overhead light to the shower.
- Make transitions easier by installing a walk-in shower or a comfort-height toilet.
- Promote balance by adding grab bars to assist with sitting on the toilet and using the shower.
- Add a seat to the shower to reduce fatigue. If doing so, consider also adding a handheld showerhead.
- Install a help button for a rapid response in case of an accident.
Medicare Part B covers a range of medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME). Fixtures such as grab bars and walk-in showers do not receive coverage from Medicare, as they are considered home safety equipment and not DME.
If a doctor prescribes a bedside commode or shower chair, a person may receive coverage under their DME benefit. However, they need to meet various eligibility criteria, and a doctor must deem the equipment medically necessary.
Of all the locations in the home, the bathroom is the area where older adults are most likely to experience falls.
The combination of wet surfaces, tight spaces, and transitions can test a person’s balance.
People can promote safety in the bathroom by making various changes, including improving lighting, easing transitions with new fixtures, and adding nonslip mats to wet areas.
Outside of making changes to their bathroom environment and habits, other measures can help improve a person’s balance and reduce the risk of falls. A fall risk assessment from a healthcare professional can help people learn about their personal risk factors and develop a treatment plan that specifically addresses them.