WEBVTT 00:00:01.860 --> 00:00:06.019 Most falls at home happen in the bathroom. That 00:00:06.019 --> 00:00:08.580 sentence usually stops people in their tracks. 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:11.720 Today, I'm going to walk you through a simple 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:14.679 daily bathroom safety checklist that you can 00:00:14.679 --> 00:00:17.399 use to protect the person you care about and 00:00:17.399 --> 00:00:20.219 to protect yourself from worry. By the end of 00:00:20.219 --> 00:00:22.480 this episode, you'll know exactly what to look 00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:26.320 for each day. what small fixes make a big difference, 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:29.399 and how to turn the bathroom from a risk zone 00:00:29.399 --> 00:00:32.840 into a safer space. And if we haven't met before, 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:36.539 I'm Robin Schultz. I'm a senior home safety specialist 00:00:36.539 --> 00:00:39.799 and I've spent years helping families make everyday 00:00:39.799 --> 00:00:43.460 spaces safer for aging in place. I've seen what 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:47.179 works and I've seen what gets overlooked. All 00:00:47.179 --> 00:00:49.929 right, let's get into it. Here's what I mean 00:00:49.929 --> 00:00:53.590 when I say daily checklist. This is not a remodel 00:00:53.590 --> 00:00:57.009 and it's not expensive gear. This is a quick 00:00:57.009 --> 00:00:59.890 scan you can do in just a few minutes once or 00:00:59.890 --> 00:01:02.929 twice a day that can prevent a life -changing 00:01:02.929 --> 00:01:07.010 fall. First, let's start at the doorway. When 00:01:07.010 --> 00:01:09.170 you walk into the bathroom, take a look at the 00:01:09.170 --> 00:01:13.250 floor. Is it dry? Is it clear? Are there towels 00:01:13.250 --> 00:01:16.349 on the floor or clothes dropped after a shower? 00:01:16.950 --> 00:01:19.590 Even a small rug that's curled up at the edge 00:01:19.590 --> 00:01:23.349 can become a slip hazard. I always tell caregivers 00:01:23.349 --> 00:01:27.269 if something can slide or skid or bunch up, then 00:01:27.269 --> 00:01:29.849 it does not belong on the bathroom floor. Well, 00:01:29.930 --> 00:01:33.450 any floor. Smooth floors and clear paths matter 00:01:33.450 --> 00:01:36.129 more than matching decor. You know what I'm talking 00:01:36.129 --> 00:01:40.680 about? Next, check the lighting. Bathrooms are 00:01:40.680 --> 00:01:43.200 often used early in the morning or late at night 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:46.420 when eyes are tired and balance is already off. 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:49.760 Flip the light switch. Does it come on right 00:01:49.760 --> 00:01:52.640 away? Is it bright enough to see the toilet, 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:56.159 the sink, the shower clearly? If the answer is 00:01:56.159 --> 00:01:59.260 no, add a night light or a motion sensor light. 00:01:59.959 --> 00:02:02.620 This is one of the easiest safety wins there 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:06.760 is. Good light reduces confusion and miss steps 00:02:06.760 --> 00:02:10.719 which is huge. Now let's talk about grab bars. 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:14.759 Give them a quick tug. I'm serious. Put your 00:02:14.759 --> 00:02:17.560 hand on the grab bar near the toilet and in the 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:21.560 shower and gently pull. Does it feel solid? No 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:25.400 wiggle? No looseness? If a grab bar shifts even 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:29.039 a little, it's not doing its job. A loose grab 00:02:29.039 --> 00:02:32.080 bar can actually cause a fall instead of preventing 00:02:32.080 --> 00:02:35.259 one. I've seen that happen and it can be scary. 00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:39.000 This daily check takes five seconds and can save 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:42.659 months of recovery. Alright, let's move on to 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:46.120 the toilet area. Look at the seat height. Is 00:02:46.120 --> 00:02:48.699 it easy for your loved one to sit down and stand 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:51.620 back up again? If you notice they're rocking 00:02:51.620 --> 00:02:54.400 forward and backwards, pushing hard with their 00:02:54.400 --> 00:02:57.539 arms, or struggling to get upright, that's a 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:01.349 sign the seat may be too low. A raised toilet 00:03:01.349 --> 00:03:04.610 seat or a toilet frame can make a world of difference. 00:03:05.490 --> 00:03:07.949 Also be sure to check the floor around the toilet. 00:03:08.569 --> 00:03:12.490 Any splashes, any dampness, even a small wet 00:03:12.490 --> 00:03:17.169 spot can be risky on tile or vinyl. Next, check 00:03:17.169 --> 00:03:19.969 the sink and the vanity. Is the area clutter 00:03:19.969 --> 00:03:23.659 free? Toothbrushes, hair tools, bottles, and 00:03:23.659 --> 00:03:26.080 cords can crowd the counter and the edge of the 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:29.340 counter. So make sure frequently used items are 00:03:29.340 --> 00:03:31.919 easy to reach without stretching or bending. 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:35.060 And you also want to check faucet handles. Are 00:03:35.060 --> 00:03:38.520 they easy to turn? Arthritis and weak grips can 00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:42.159 turn a simple task into a struggle. Lever style 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:46.240 handles are much easier to turn than knobs. All 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:48.819 right, now let's head into the shower or the 00:03:48.819 --> 00:03:52.259 tub. This is the highest risk spot in the whole 00:03:52.259 --> 00:03:55.560 bathroom. First, look at the floor of the tub 00:03:55.560 --> 00:03:59.379 or the shower. Is there a non -slip mat or non 00:03:59.379 --> 00:04:03.180 -slip strips in place? Are they clean and lying 00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:07.139 flat? Soap buildup can make even a mat slippery, 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:13.060 so a quick rinse or a wipe matters. Next, check 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:16.339 the shower chair or bench if there is one. Is 00:04:16.339 --> 00:04:19.689 it stable? All four legs are firmly planted on 00:04:19.689 --> 00:04:24.089 the floor. Rubber tips are intact. A wobbly shower 00:04:24.089 --> 00:04:27.250 chair is a red flag. And you also want to look 00:04:27.250 --> 00:04:30.149 at the soap and shampoo placement. Are they easy 00:04:30.149 --> 00:04:33.449 to reach while seated or standing safely? If 00:04:33.449 --> 00:04:36.269 someone has to lean or twist or reach high or 00:04:36.269 --> 00:04:39.250 get up and walk across the shower, that's a fall 00:04:39.250 --> 00:04:44.029 waiting to happen. Next, water temperature. Turn 00:04:44.029 --> 00:04:47.430 on the water and test it. Sudden hot water can 00:04:47.430 --> 00:04:50.529 cause someone to jump back or lose balance. If 00:04:50.529 --> 00:04:53.509 the water heats up too fast, consider installing 00:04:53.509 --> 00:04:57.410 an anti -scald device. This is especially important 00:04:57.410 --> 00:05:00.810 for people with reduced sensation or slower reaction 00:05:00.810 --> 00:05:04.769 times. And let's not forget about towels. Are 00:05:04.769 --> 00:05:07.290 the towels within arms reach when stepping out 00:05:07.290 --> 00:05:10.310 of the shower? Reaching across the room while 00:05:10.310 --> 00:05:13.389 you're wet is risky. Place towels where they 00:05:13.389 --> 00:05:16.350 can be grabbed without moving the feet. This 00:05:16.350 --> 00:05:18.910 sounds small, but it's one of those hidden dangers 00:05:18.910 --> 00:05:22.269 that shows up again and again. Here's another 00:05:22.269 --> 00:05:26.009 daily checklist or check that people miss. Listen. 00:05:26.350 --> 00:05:29.470 When your loved one uses the bathroom, do you 00:05:29.470 --> 00:05:32.670 hear hesitation from them? Do they call out for 00:05:32.670 --> 00:05:35.069 help to stand up or to get out of the shower? 00:05:35.769 --> 00:05:38.829 Those sounds are important clues. They tell you 00:05:38.829 --> 00:05:41.949 where support is needed next. Bathroom safety 00:05:41.949 --> 00:05:44.870 is not just what you see, it's also what you 00:05:44.870 --> 00:05:48.490 notice over time. If you're doing all of this 00:05:48.490 --> 00:05:51.889 and you still feel uneasy, let me say this clearly. 00:05:52.139 --> 00:05:55.439 You want to trust that feeling. Your instincts 00:05:55.439 --> 00:05:58.819 matter. The bathroom should not feel like a constant 00:05:58.819 --> 00:06:02.699 worry zone. Small upgrades done early prevent 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:06.160 big emergencies later. And asking for help from 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:09.639 an occupational therapist or a home safety specialist 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:13.019 is a smart move. It's not a failure on your part. 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:18.339 So here is your quick daily bathroom safety recap. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:23.050 You want dry, clear floors. Good lighting, especially 00:06:23.050 --> 00:06:27.629 at night. You want secure grab bars, proper toilet 00:06:27.629 --> 00:06:31.529 height, stable shower seating. You want to make 00:06:31.529 --> 00:06:34.730 sure you have non -slip surfaces, a safe water 00:06:34.730 --> 00:06:38.629 temperature, easy to reach towels and supplies. 00:06:39.370 --> 00:06:42.709 That's it. It's simple, it's doable, and it's 00:06:42.709 --> 00:06:46.060 powerful. So thanks for joining me today. Please 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:48.360 share this episode with someone you care about 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:50.879 who can use the information to make their life 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:54.120 safer. You'll find more resources for seniors 00:06:54.120 --> 00:06:57.480 and caregivers on our website at seniorsafetyadvice 00:06:57.480 --> 00:07:00.459 .com. And if you're searching for an aging in 00:07:00.459 --> 00:07:03.579 place specialist, please visit our sister website 00:07:03.579 --> 00:07:07.540 at aginginplacedirectory .com. Then come back 00:07:07.540 --> 00:07:09.879 tomorrow for another daily moment of guidance 00:07:09.879 --> 00:07:13.300 and encouragement. right here on the Senior Safety 00:07:13.300 --> 00:07:17.019 Advice Podcast. Oh, and last but not least, if 00:07:17.019 --> 00:07:19.620 you haven't subscribed to our YouTube channel 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:22.480 or to this podcast yet, go ahead and do that 00:07:22.480 --> 00:07:26.019 right now. Until next time, thanks for listening. 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:27.860 Take care. Bye.