Falls are one of the leading causes of accidents among American seniors. Your loved one is far more likely to slip and fall in the bathroom as that’s where the floor is likely to be wet. The good news is that memory care facilities in Snellville, GA are among the many retirement communities that have safety features in the bathroom to minimize the risk of falls. Here are some of those safety features.
Shower Safety
If your loved one has a problem with balance, then you will find a number of shower safety features in retirement communities that can help with that. These include shower chairs where a special, non-slip chair is placed under the shower. While seated down, it is unlikely that your loved one will suffer a fall as their chair keeps them safely in place. Specially built showers also feature grab handles that ensure that your loved one is safe. In such a community, the shower cubicles are likely to feature flexible shower wands rather than a fixed showerhead. This way, your loved one has more control over the water output. They can also bring the showr closer or further to themselves as they wish without having to physically move their bodies. Retirement communities will also have special alert buttons in the showers that are waterproof. In case of an accident, your loved one can summon the help they need instantly and thus reduce the possibility of any injury.
Bathtub Safety
Bathtubs in retirement communities will also have a number of safety features to keep your loved one safe. Some of these include special walk-in bathtubs which make it easier for your lover to take a bath without the risk of a fall. Another safety risk in a bathtub is water getting too hot. Especially designed bathtubs have temperature regulators which prevent water from getting too hot to the point where it could cause injury to your loved one. Such bathtubs are also likely to have extra grab handles to help your loved one have a grip whether they are getting into the bathtub or not. Finally, retirement communities have special faucets which do not get too hot and thus risk causing burns to your loved one’s sensitive skin.
Bathroom Floor Safety
Another major risk to your loved one is slipping and falling on the bathroom floor. iThis is because even if the floor may be dry, the feet of your loved one may still be wet if they have just come from the shower or bathtub. Moisture from the steam after a shower may als condense on the colder floor and make it slippery. To counter this, retirement communities typically have non-slip floors that enhance grip and minimize the chances of a fall. Residents in such a community are also likely to have special bathroom slippers with enhanced grip on their soles. Finally, they will make extensive use of non-slip rugs on the floor. All these measures, combined, ensure that your loved one stays safe from any falls.
Other bathroom Facilities
Sometimes slips and falls occur when your loved ones are trying to reach hard-to-access areas such as shelves. For this reason, bathroom shelves in retirement communities are built to be within easy reach of your loved ones. The faucets in the sinks are also easy to turn because if they are stiff, they could be difficult to operate for anyone with joint problems.
