Making Your Homes Senior-Proof: Shower Chairs and Seating for Elderly
Stay-at-home seniors face quiet a number of potential dangers when they move around the house; most of the time we take these dangers for granted. The bathroom is one of the most dangerous places for seniors at home – wet floors, surfaces that are slippery, low toilets, and even the size of the bathroom are among the potential harm bringers for seniors at home.
https://www.newsusa.com/articles/article/preventing-senior-falls-starts-in-the-bathroom.aspx reports that 80 percent of falling accidents in seniors happen in the bathroom.
When all the slippery surfaces including the floor causes a fall, the small bathroom space will become a chance for them to strike their bodies or heads on the walls around them or as simple as a faucet. This increases the risk – talk about concussions, fractured/broken bones, or even death. All these double up with the senior’s age or medical condition; when they go up as much as 80 years old or when they have suffered strokes, they will already have mobility issues.
Bathtubs
Because of its design, the bathtub becomes a very big risk for the elderlies at home. The bathtub has high walls, it has ceramic surfaces so it is normally slippery, the faucet is a big potential risk, and the presence of streaming water. All these can be dangerous – one slip or when outbalanced, can cause a broken bone or head injury.
However, this should not stop seniors from using the bathtub; it should not be a reason for them to feel unsafe when they shower. Shower chairs can be of help; it can help them enter into and stay in the water safe and comfortable. These chairs can benefit the elderlies in many ways.
The foremost and important benefit of shower chairs to the elderlies is providing them assistance when they shower. They can enjoy their shower comfortably so they can relax and not have to worry of slipping on the bathtub floor. Less accident happen when elderlies would use shower chairs in the bathroom, and it makes it easier for them to take a bath.
Improved hygiene: Some elderlies may not be excited about showering because they might find it tedious considering their physical condition. The less they shower the more chances of getting infections and skin diseases that would worsen their physical condition and discomfort. Prolonged refusal to shower can result to more problematic situations like urinary tract infections and staphylococcus infections.
A shower chair will encourage them to take control and be active in their personal hygiene. They will feel safer and it will provide more convenience for them so they will be motivated to shower more often. Being fresh and clean can improve their confidence and their mood. They will feel and look healthier.
Independence: If your elderly is an independent person, they may not feel comfortable with you or other people helping them around, most especially in the bathroom, they may feel embarrassed about it. They might feel useless and defeated.