You knew the day would come eventually, but now that it's here, you realize that you're not fully prepared. If the time has come to bring an aging parent home to live, you'll need to make some adjustments to your current living arrangements. That doesn't just mean switching the rooms around. That means you'll need to make sure your home is adaptable to your parent's specific mobility issues. These adjustments are particularly important in the areas of the bathroom, where many injuries can occur.
You might not realize this, but the bathroom can present serious hazards for your aging parent, especially if they have significant mobility issues. To keep your parent safe from harm, and to afford them some independence, here are three adjustments you should make to the bathroom they'll be using.
Walk-In Tub
Mobility issues can make it impossible to climb in and out of the bathtub. That's where the walk-in tub comes in. Walk-in tubs are self-contained units that include a comfortable bench to sit on during bath time. The tub is accessed by a door on the side of the unit. Once inside, the door is closed, and a water-proof seal is created. Your parent will be able to continue caring for their own bath needs without the worry of injury.
Elevated Toilet
Standard toilets can be difficult for people with mobility issues. If your parent has a hard time maneuvering on and off a standard toilet, it's time to install an elevated toilet. Elevated toilets sit higher off the ground, which makes them easier to use. To increase safety, be sure to install a handrail next to the toilet. This will give your parent additional support when using the toilet.
Slip-Resistant flooring
You might not realize this, but your bathroom floor may pose a serious threat to your parent. This is particularly true if the flooring is either tile or vinyl. Those types of flooring can lead to slip and fall injuries, especially if their wet. To prevent slip and fall injuries, replace your tile or vinyl with new slip-resistant flooring. If you choose to keep your original flooring, you can make it slip-resistant by placing non-slip tub stickers on your bathroom floor.
Now that your aging parent will be living with you, make sure they'll be safe and secure. The tips provided here will help you adjust your bathroom to your parent's mobility issues.
