Daily living routines change as we age; showering, toileting, and other bathroom routines are no different. For older adults living at home with mobility issues, the following shower assistance adjustments help provide safer, more pleasant bathing experiences.
Why Shower Safety Is Important for Seniors
Falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults (65+) in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Millions of seniors fall every year, which can lead to severe injury, hospitalization, and death. The good news is that, in many cases, these falls are avoidable with the right fall prevention strategies in place—including shower and bathroom modifications.
For many seniors living with limited mobility or unstableness, making the move to a senior living community like those in the Avista Senior Living network is the right choice. For others, staying in their current home, condo, or apartment is.
A senior living community is specially designed with the well-being of older people in mind, but an older house may need a few basic home safety modifications to reduce the risk of falls, give families peace of mind, and promote independence and preserve dignity for older adults.
Bathrooms Aids to Make Showers and Baths Safer
The exact type of shower assistance seniors will need depends on their individual ability levels and current living situations. That said, common bathroom aids that older adults can discuss with their families, caregivers, and healthcare providers include:
- Heavy-duty, stainless steel grab bars. Grab bars need to be placed in strategic locations, such as by the toilet or in and around the shower or bathtub. They should also be rust-resistant and capable of handling heavy loads.
- Raised toilet seats. Raised toilet seats reduce the need for excessive bending and squatting.
- Non-slip mats with suction cups. Slip-resistant mats are great additions to any shower, not just those in an older adult‘s home. They provide stability to reduce the risk of falls while standing during showers.
- Durable transfer benches. A shower bench can help individuals move over the walls of a tub in a safer manner.
- Height-adjustable bath chair. Standing for long periods of time can be draining for some seniors. A sturdy shower chair with a backrest allows older people to bathe themselves, helping to preserve their independence while also mitigating fall risk.
- Handheld showerheads. Handheld showerheads are great to install with bath chairs, as they can make bathing from a seated position easier and safer.
Other Bathroom Safety Tips for Older Adults
Besides installing bathroom aids, other ways family members and friends can improve bathroom safety for older loved ones include:
- Checking the weight capacity of all equipment
- Ensuring personal hygiene products are within easy reach
- Hiring in-home care services, such as housekeepers or home health aides that help with activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing and toileting
- Adjusting everything as needed to the senior’s individual needs, which can change over time
Senior Shower Assistance FAQs
Does Medicare cover showers for the elderly?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) usually does not cover walk-in showers, as showers are not considered durable medical equipment (DME). While exceptions to this rule exist, the most reliable way to have Medicare cover showers for elderly individuals is to have a robust Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that will cover installations and equipment like showers that a doctor says is medically necessary.
How can I help an aging loved one shower?
Ways to help an aging loved one shower should be centered around reducing the risk of slipping while helping the older adult maintain dignity and independence. Strategically placed handrails and anti-slip mats are low-budget solutions that many families find helpful.
Can seniors get a free walk-in shower?
Ways seniors may be able to get financial assistance for a walk-in shower include:
- Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plans
- USDA grants
- Medicaid waivers
- VA grants
What if my loved one refuses to shower?
A previously well-kept loved one refusing to shower could be a sign of dementia or a mental illness like depression, and should always be taken seriously.
Talking to a loved one about any concerns is a great first step to learning why they are refusing to shower. The answer could simply be that the hot water heater is out and they don’t like cold showers. Depending on the answer, though, scheduling an appointment with their doctor to screen for mental health conditions, dementia, or something else may be the next step.
What are bathing aids?
Bathing aids or shower aids are any tools or pieces of equipment that help someone clean themselves in a safer, more effective manner, such as slip-resistant mats, shower chairs, and transfer benches.
Can caregivers help with other personal care tasks aside from bathing?
Yes, caregivers can help with other personal care tasks beyond bathing.
Caregivers can help with activities of daily living, or ADLs, like toileting and getting dressed. They can also assist with instrumental activities of daily living like meal preparation. Other times, caregivers simply provide companionship.
A local Area Agency on Aging can help families find caregivers offering the services their loved one needs in their area.
How often should an elderly person bathe?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. How often someone should bathe can vary wildly depending on any health conditions they have or the type of lifestyle they live. As a general rule of thumb, though, older persons should bathe between two to three times a week.
What are the best shower safety tips for elderly individuals?
The best tips for shower assistance for elderly loved ones are the ones that cater to your relative’s individual needs, reduce the risk of slipping and falling, and help them preserve their dignity and independence. For some families, that can mean installing non-slip mats and sturdy safety rails in the shower. For others, that can mean investing in quality transfer benches, bath chairs, and handheld showerheads.
Disclaimers: Everyone’s situation is unique. This article is for informational purposes only. It does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or other safety concerns.