With their slippery floors, hard surfaces and tight spaces, bathrooms can be especially challenging places to navigate for the elderly and those with limited mobility. Here are some simple solutions for keeping your parents out of harm’s way and safe from slips and falls.

• Clear a path: Bathroom safety begins before you enter the doorway. Keep the halls clear of shoes, laundry baskets and other clutter. For increased visibility, install nightlights in and around the bathroom.    

• Evaluate the entry: Bathroom doors are often narrow, so be sure there’s an unobstructed path that is wide enough for your parents to walk through comfortably. Keep in mind that walkers, rollators and wheelchairs will require additional space. Make note of the saddle, too: if either of your parents use a walker or cane, you should arrange for a physical therapist to show them how they can navigate that half-inch rise in the floor safely.

• Slip-proof the floor: Install nonslip mats and decals (use several) on the bathtub or shower floor and be sure the bathmat or any area rugs have a rubberized back to keep them from sliding. Wet tile can be slippery, so wipe up any spills as soon as possible.  

• Install grab bars: If your parent has limited mobility or problems with balance, grab bars will make it easier to get into and out of the shower or tub. They should be installed by a professional, who can make sure they are placed at the proper height and angle for your parents’ safety. Remember that towel bars are glued or grouted onto the walls and are not designed to support body weight!

• Consider special equipment: A raised toilet seat with handles will make it easier for your parents to get on and off the commode. In addition, think about installing a retractable shower head that’s connected to a hose for a more convenient way to rinse off. 

Click here for more information about keeping the bathroom safe How to Make the Bathroom Safer for Your Elderly Parent (Video)