Bathroom Safety for People With Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease

When you have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, caring for them can become the central focus of your life. There’s the day-to-day care, of course, and there’s also the need to make sure your home is safe for them. That’s especially the case in the bathroom, as that’s a room of your home where a fall is the most likely to occur. These diseases impact memory, mobility, and basic functions, so making sure your bathroom space is set up to make life easier for your loved one is important. 

Whether it’s the early stages of the disease and they still have some independence or it’s a later stage and they need assistance in the bathroom, taking the right steps with bathroom safety can help you in your care for them and give you one less thing to worry about with your day-to-day. This blog should help you get an idea about bathroom safety for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and help give you some direction on what you can do at your home.

Practical Steps to Take As You Make Your Bathroom Safer for People With Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease

Before you get into some of the bathroom remodeling projects that can make your bathroom safer for anyone in your home with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, there are some easy and practical steps you can take. Removing smaller electrical appliances and covering electrical outlets is a good idea, for one. Putting away or locking up liquid substances like toothpaste, lotion, soap, shampoo, etc. can also be smart because they may smell or look like food to someone with one of these diseases. Not to mention, simply decluttering your bathroom can also help make the space easier to move around in, which can be a big help to your loved one—especially if they struggle with mobility.

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas to Consider for People With Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease

Beyond the basics, there are some investments you can make in your bathroom space to make it safer for anyone in your home with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Having grab bars installed on both sides of the toilet is one of the more pressing needs you’ll have, as you’ll need to make sure your loved one has some stability as they sit down on the toilet and get up. Non-slip mats are another necessity to help reduce the risk of falls, and ensuring the bathroom is well-lit is another must along those same lines. 

When it comes to the bathing area of your bathroom, there are plenty of options there as well. A walk-in shower is likely going to be the most practical choice for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, as a bathtub may be too low to the ground and difficult to access as mobility diminishes. But with a walk-in shower installation, it’s important that the space has non-slip flooring and is outfitted with accessories like grab bars, shower seating, and a handheld showerhead to make the bathing process easier, whether your loved one still has some independence or they need the assistance of you or a live-in nurse to help them clean themselves.

How We Can Help With Bathroom Safety for People With Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease

When you’re looking to invest in a walk-in shower that you can design with all of the right accessories to help with bathroom safety for anyone in your life with dementia or Alzheimer’s, our team of professionals at Jacuzzi Bath Remodel would be happy to help. We offer a variety of walk-in shower options and can help you find the perfect accessories to suit the needs you have for your loved one. Between grab bars, shower seating, handheld showerheads, and more, we have the right options to help make your newly upgraded shower space comfortable and safe for your loved one as they (and you) navigate the difficulty of this disease.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

As a trusted resource in the bathroom remodeling industry, here are some of the frequently asked questions we get about bathroom safety, particularly as it pertains to people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease:

How Can Those With Dementia & Alzheimer’s Be Safe in the Bathroom?

There are certainly the bathroom upgrades we discussed—investing in a walk-in shower with grab bars, seating, and a handheld showerhead in addition to decluttering the space and reducing the risk of slips and falls. But providing supervision as needed is another practical answer as far as keeping your loved one safe, especially if they’re unsteady. Monitoring water temperature in the shower is also a good idea, as you’ll want to make sure you’re avoiding putting your loved one at risk of any scalding injuries.

What Are Some Other Dementia- & Alzheimer-Friendly Products for Bathrooms?

In addition to accessible showers and safety features that can be added to them, there are other helpful tools to use in the bathroom to make it safer for your loved one. Faucets that turn on and shut off automatically will help, as can LED motion sensor lighting and invisible cabinet locks.

What Are the Main Safety Hazards in the Bathroom?

For people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, the everyday safety hazards in the bathroom can become magnified. That’s why it’s important to guard against slippery surfaces, inaccessible bathing fixtures and toilet areas, scalding water, and electrical dangers.

Reach Out Today

If you’re looking for more information about bathroom safety for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease or you could use our help to make the space at your home safer with one of our walk-in showers and accompanying safety features, contact Jacuzzi Bath Remodel today.