If you’re nervous about your senior parent getting hurt when they’re trying to bathe on their own at home, you’re not alone. Bathing is one of the biggest concerns that family members have about seniors living on their own. But personal care at home can help.
Bathing is one of the most dangerous activities for seniors who are living alone. Every year, a huge number of falls that seniors have at home happen while seniors are bathing or showering. Serious injuries like concussions and broken bones can happen from simple falls in the shower or getting out of the tub.
That’s why seniors living at home should have personal care at home. Even if your parent has relatively good balance and mobility, they can fall in an environment where water, soap, and other products can create lots of opportunities for a slip and fall.
The Most Common Ways Seniors Get Hurt Bathing
There are many ways that seniors can fall while trying to bathe or shower without help. All it takes is one misstep or a slight feeling of dizziness to make a senior fall. A personal care at home provider who has been trained to safely help seniors do things like shift their weight, navigate a slippery floor, or stand up in a tub can keep your parent from falling.
Some of the most common causes of bathing falls are:
Slippery surfaces in the tub or shower
Water, soap, and shampoo can make the tub or shower floor very slick. Seniors may lose their footing when stepping in, standing, or turning around. Even a small slip can lead to a hard fall. Many tubs do not have textured surfaces, which makes the problem worse. Without proper grip, it is easy for seniors to fall.
Trouble stepping over the tub edge
Traditional bathtubs have high sides. For seniors with limited strength or balance, stepping over that edge can be difficult. Lifting one leg high while balancing on the other is risky. If they lose balance for even a second, they can fall either into the tub or onto the bathroom floor. This is one of the most common moments when falls happen.
A personal care at home provider can help your parent step safely out of the tub and make sure your parent is steady on their feet before trying to move away from the tub.
Poor balance and weak muscles
As people age, muscles can weaken, and balance can decline. This makes it harder to stand steady on wet surfaces.
Even simple movements like turning around, reaching for soap, or standing up from a seated position can lead to a fall. If a senior already has mobility issues, the risk is even higher in a wet and slippery space.
Lack of support like grab bars or rails
Many bathrooms are not set up with safety in mind. Without grab bars or rails, seniors have nothing stable to hold onto.
Towel racks or shower doors are not designed to support body weight and can break if used for balance. Proper grab bars near the tub, shower, and toilet can make a big difference, but many homes do not have them installed.
If your parent’s home doesn’t have grab bars securely installed, now is a good time to get some put in the bathroom and anywhere else your parent might need extra support.
Poor lighting and vision problems
Bathrooms are often dim, especially at night. Seniors with vision problems may not clearly see water on the floor, the edge of the tub, or where to step. Shadows and glare from wet surfaces can also make it harder to judge distance.
When a person cannot see well, they are more likely to misstep and fall.
Rushing or trying to bathe without help
Some seniors rush through bathing because they feel cold, tired, or unsteady. Others may try to do everything on their own, even when they need help. Moving too quickly can lead to slips. Trying to balance while reaching for items or turning too fast can also cause falls.
Pride or fear of losing independence can keep seniors from asking for assistance, which increases risk.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Personal Care at Home in Gilbert, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Legacy Home Care today. Call (480) 777-0070
Legacy Home Care is a top provider of home care services in Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Phoenix, and surrounding areas.
Legacy Home Care has been serving the valley since 2007. We are family owned and operated with over 75 caregivers. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as: Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans' Home Care program.
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