Elder Care: 4 Ways Seniors Can Use Non-Slip Mats To Prevent Falls

Elder Care: The bathroom is one of the most dangerous places for seniors but there are things that can make it safer for seniors to clean up.

January is Bath Safety Month so it’s the perfect time to find some new ways to reduce the risk of your senior loved one falling in the bathroom. One thing that you can install in the bathroom that will lower the risk of falls is anti-slip mats. Anti-slip mats aren’t terribly expensive and they come in a large range of sizes so it doesn’t matter what size the bathroom is there are mats that will fit. An elder care provider can be on hand to help choose which one best suits your senior’s needs.

Elder Care in Northfork NY: Bath Safety Month

Most people only think about putting an anti-slip mat in the tub but they can be used in many other spaces to improve traction and prevent slipping like:

In Front Of The Sink

Placing an anti-slip mat in front of the sink will help your senior loved one avoid slipping every time they are in the bathroom. Sometimes water splashes from hand washing or face washing can make the floor slippery and your senior loved one or a senior home care provider helping them may not notice any water on the floor. If there is an anti-slip mat in front of the sink both your senior loved one and the elder care provider can avoid slipping if the floor gets wet.

Next To The Toilet

Another smart place to put an anti-slip mat is next to the toilet. Seniors who use a grab bar or grab bars to lower themselves down or pick themselves up may also have their feet on the sides of the toilet instead of in front of it. If that’s the case then there should be an anti-slip mat next to the toilet as well as in front of it. Anywhere that could possibly be slippery should have an anti-slip mat so that seniors will have a stable surface to step on as they are trying to stand or walk around in the bathroom.

Next To The Tub

It’s not enough to put an anti-slip mat in the tub. There should also be an anti-slip mat next to the tub. And if the tub is a long one or if the tub is free standing there should be mats all along the length of the tub so that both your senior loved one and a senior home care provider helping them can stand on a mat to prevent falling. Stepping in and out of the tub or shower is the most dangerous part of bathing for seniors because it’s when they are most likely to fall. As they put their feet down they are creating a slipping hazard by getting the floor all wet. Putting anti-slip mats for seniors next to the tub will provide the traction they need to step out without slipping.

On A Shower Bench

Of course, your senior loved one won’t be standing on a shower bench. But if the shower bench is built into the shower surround it may be made of granite or other stone that can get quite slippery when wet. If you or the elder care provider put a mat on the bench will give your senior loved one something stable to sit on so that they don’t slide off the bench while they are bathing.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Elder Care in Northfork, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.