How to Improve Bathroom Safety for Seniors

Because a lot of bathroom accidents involve slipping in and around the tub or shower, a bench or bathroom chair is recommended as a safety precaution.

Look for a sturdy model—like this one from Drive Medical—with suction that provides a nonslip grip and has adjustable height and bars.

A backrest can also help stability, and it’s a good idea to look for a model that’s versatile enough to accommodate transfer from a wheelchair.

To use a tub transfer bench, sit on the outer edge and scoot back toward the armrest. Turn and swing your legs one-at-a-time over the rim of the tub. Then scoot your hips over so that you're totally in the tub.

From there, you can stand up to shower or continue to sit while you wash up. Tuck the shower curtain into the gap in the seat.

Exit the shower the same way you got in—scoot over a bit, swing your legs, turn 90 degrees, scoot to the edge of the bench, and stand up.

Once you’ve got a bathroom chair, you’ll want a handheld showerhead to go with it. Fortunately, this is an inexpensive modification that even the most hesitant DIYer can manage with a few basic tools.

Be careful not to get distracted by fancy spa showerheads that boast about high pressure. Instead, look for a practical showerhead with an adjustable flow that’s easy to manipulate for arthritic fingers.

If you’re a caregiver, it may be difficult to anticipate where an aging adult needs an extra hand. Get in the bathroom together and assess the best place to mount grab bars.

Older adults may want bars mounted in these common spots:

• Inside the shower or tub
• At the entrance of the shower or tub
• Near the toilet

There are different kinds of grab bars, but you should choose substance over style. AARP recommends a bar that can hold up to 250 pounds, with a textured surface and a diameter of 1.25–1.5 inches for easy gripping.³

The toilet is also an area where older adults are prone to fall. This is because low toilet seats can be difficult to rise from or lower onto if you have mobility issues or arthritis.⁴

You don't have to install a brand-new toilet. A more affordable and renter-friendly solution is to install a raised toilet seat or toilet frame, preferably one with grab bars on either side. Look for models that offer nonslip handles, adjustable height, and a stand-alone frame that will fit the space.

We like this two-in-one elevated toilet seat with arms from Essential Medical Supply. If your toilet is already a comfortable height, consider the Vaunn Toilet Rail Grab Bar. Just watch your feet around its base.

Sometimes it's disorienting to turn on a bright overhead light when it's pitch-black. But when you gotta go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you need some sort of illumination to prevent stumbles. An easy solution involves placing night lights along the path from your loved one's bed to the bathroom.

They don't have to be motion-activated, but a motion-sensing design—like this one from Mr. Beams—saves energy by turning on only when it's needed. It's also a safer option because there's no need to fumble around in the dark to try to turn it on. 

We also recommend choosing a battery-powered model so that you can place it where it's most convenient—not just where there's an outlet.

Sometimes falls can happen even when you've used all of the above products to prevent them. It's good to have a backup plan just in case. We recommend keeping a waterproof medical alert button within easy reach of the tub and toilet or having your loved one wear a medical alert pendant.

We've yet to find a medical alert panic pendant that's not waterproof, but be careful if you go the wall-mounted-button route—not all of them are designed to get wet. Check out Bay Alarm Medical for a traditional medical alert system with shower-friendly buttons.

If you can budget a little more for equipment and monthly monitoring fees, our absolute favorite medical alert system for the bathroom is Aloe Care Health's three-in-one wall-mounted device. It's activated by touch and voice, and it also features automatic fall detection just in case your loved one passes out and can't call for help on their own.