Assisted living care in Westwego, LA, has a lot to offer its residents. They provide the structure, socialization, and daily routines of an independent lifestyle while still giving residents the safety net of knowing professionals are monitoring them. But there is one area where assisted living communities often need more: bathrooms. Bathrooms need to be safe for everyone who uses them, but this can present some challenges for assisted living homes that need direct oversight from someone experienced with seniors’ needs.
As your loved one ages, you may consider long-term care options or the best way to keep them safe at home. Have you noticed that your mother has lost balance or mobility in her lower body and needs more help getting around than she used to? If so, it might be time for an intervention in her bathroom habits! Here are some ways assisted living care in Westwego, LA, ensures that your parent’s bathroom is as safe and comfortable as possible:
Grab Bars and Handrails
Grab bars and handrails are very important for assisted living residents. They provide safety and security and maintain the resident’s independence and dignity.
In the bathroom, grab bars provide safety while sitting on a toilet or at the sink. Handrails on either side of the bathtub make it easier to lower yourself into it when showering or bathing. This is especially important if you have balance issues or back pain because it helps prevent falls in these areas of your home that could result in injury.
Raised Toilet Seat
When you visit a community, you will notice that some bathrooms have raised toilet seats. This is done to ensure the resident is safe when using the bathroom. A resident with mobility issues or trouble bending down to use the toilet can easily use this raised seat without problems.
The safety of your loved one is of utmost importance, and providing them with a raised toilet seat ensures they are safe while using the bathroom. If your loved one’s current toilet seat isn’t functioning correctly or is damaged, it might be time for an upgrade! It is recommended to consult with their doctor before deciding what type of equipment needs replacing.
Stabilized Fixture Installation
Bathroom fixtures should be stable and secure. Bathroom fixtures should be installed at a comfortable height for the resident and accessible by someone with mobility issues or limited upper body strength.
It’s a good idea to install shower heads that are easily reached when bathing, even if your loved one needs assistance with this task.
If you’re worried about your loved one slipping on the floor of their bathroom, consider putting down some rubber mats or even adding an anti-slip coating on top of the existing tiles or flooring material. This way, you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing look!
Visual Contrasting and Lighting
Visual contrast is a critical component of making bathrooms safe for residents. It helps them to easily see what they’re doing, which reduces the risk of falls and other accidents. While there are many ways you can achieve visual contrast in your bathroom, choosing contrasting colors or lighting is one effective way to do so.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways in which assisted living communities can ensure that their bathroom is safe for the residents. While the above list is not exhaustive, we hope it provides a good starting point to consider when choosing a retirement community.
