How Personal Care At Home Helps Seniors Avoid Falls While Bathing

Bathing or showering is one of the most dangerous tasks that seniors do at home. When seniors fall at home often it’s while they are bathing or showering. However, having personal care at home services can lower the risk that your senior parent will fall and get hurt while showering.

There are many potential hazards that seniors have to navigate when they are showering. Slippery floors, hot water, and the potential of getting dizzy or feeling faint are just a few of many. That’s why it’s strongly recommended that seniors have personal care at home to help them with hygiene tasks like showering.

The care provider who works in personal care has special training in techniques that will help seniors shower safely. They can also work with seniors who need a lot of assistance getting in and out of the shower.

Some of the ways that personal care at home providers can keep your mom or dad safe while they are bathing are:

Correctly Use Safety Aids

Safety aids are critical for preventing slips and falls in the shower. A care provider should ensure that the bathroom is equipped with essential safety features such as grab bars, a non-slip mat or shower rug, and a shower chair or bench.

Grab bars should be securely installed near the shower entry, on the walls, and within the shower area itself to provide support. Non-slip mats or decals help to prevent slipping on wet surfaces, and a shower chair allows your mom or dad to sit while bathing, reducing the risk of falling.

Adjust Water Temperature

Ensuring that the water temperature is safe and comfortable is crucial to prevent burns or chills. Before your mom or dad enters the shower, the care provider should test the water temperature to make sure it is not too hot or too cold. Additionally, some caregivers use anti-scald devices or thermostatic valves to maintain a safe water temperature and prevent sudden changes.

Provide Physical Assistance and Supervision

Providing physical support and supervision during the shower can significantly reduce the risk of falls. A care provider should use their training to help your mom or dad with entering and exiting the shower, steadying them as needed. This is especially important if there is a big step or lip in the shower.

They will offer support while your mom or dad is standing or sitting and be ready to catch them if they lose their balance. Also, a care provider will stay within arm’s reach during the shower to respond quickly if your mom or dad loses their balance or needs to lean on the care provider.

Ensure a Clutter-Free Environment

A clutter-free bathroom environment is vital for safety. The care provider will remove any obstacles or hazards on the floor that could cause tripping. This includes removing any items such as bath mats, toiletries, or cleaning products that could create a slip hazard. They will put all the necessary shower supplies like a washcloth, shampoo, and soap in the shower before helping your mom or dad in so that there is nothing on the floor of the bathroom or the shower.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Personal Care at Home Services in the Leawood KS area, please contact the caring staff at Elder Care of Kansas City, today.

Proudly serving Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in Missouri as well as Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas for over 30 years. Call us at 816-333-3322.

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Kevin Edwards

Owner at Elder Care of Kansas City

Kevin’s life and the lives of his immediate family have been impacted by caregivers – either as a patient or a caregiver - for as long as he can remember.He watched his mother take care of his grandmother until her death at the age of 97.Five years later, his father passed from a neurological disorder that was subsequently confirmed as Lewy Body Dementia.In 2007, his wife, Lori, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.The symptoms of Lori’s disease required Kevin to hire a caregiver during the periods of her relapses.

Prior to purchasing Elder Care, Kevin spent over 20 years in the health insurance industry.In his most recent position, he was in a financial operations role with Humana where he worked with doctors, nurses and other health professionals developing programs to keep Humana members healthy.Their focus on primary care and medication adherence improved the lives of thousands of seniors in Kansas City and the surrounding area.

Kevin and his wife, Lori, have three children.Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Missouri.

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