Have An Elderly Loved One? Try These Tips To Prevent Bath Time Accidents

If you have an elderly loved one, you might worry about him or her getting hurt while at home. One main concern can be in the bathroom, and you could be concerned that your loved one will somehow get hurt while taking a bath or shower. It's true that the bathroom can be one of the more dangerous parts of the home, and bath time can be a potentially hazardous time for your loved one. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to help prevent bath time accidents.

Use Non-Slip Mats

You might have non-slip mats in your own bath or shower, and it's smart to put them in your loved one's shower as well. It's easy for even younger adults to slip in the shower on slippery soap and bath oil, and it can be even more likely for seniors who aren't really steady on their feet. Non-slip mats can be helpful outside of the shower as well, but they should be thin and flush with the floor as much as possible to help prevent your loved one from tripping over them when going to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Ensure That Hot and Cold Water Faucets are Labeled

You don't want your loved one to get burnt by hot water, and you also don't want him or her to be shocked by water that is the wrong temperature, which could cause a fall. Make sure that the faucets are well-labeled so that your loved one does not get confused when attempting to adjust the water temperature.

Turn Down the Water Heater

If your senior loved one has not yet turned down his or her water heater, this is something that you should do. Overall, the standard safety temperature for a water heater -- which will help prevent burns but will still avoid Legionnaire's disease and damage to your loved one's plumbing -- is 120 degrees. Lowering the temperature of your loved one's water heater can help prevent burns and discomfort.

Invest in a Walk-In Tub

If you are really worried about your loved one, it can be a smart investment to purchase and install a walk-in tub through a company like Carefree Walk In Tubs. Then, your loved one will be able to get into the bathtub without having to "step up" and will have a safe seat to sit down on.

As you can see, there are things that you can do to help prevent your elderly loved one from having a bath time accident. Following these tips can promote safety and can give both you and your elderly loved one peace of mind.