Most falls at home happen in the bathroom. That
sentence usually stops people in their tracks.
Today, I'm going to walk you through a simple
daily bathroom safety checklist that you can
use to protect the person you care about and
to protect yourself from worry. By the end of
this episode, you'll know exactly what to look
for each day. what small fixes make a big difference,
and how to turn the bathroom from a risk zone
into a safer space. And if we haven't met before,
I'm Robin Schultz. I'm a senior home safety specialist
and I've spent years helping families make everyday
spaces safer for aging in place. I've seen what
works and I've seen what gets overlooked. All
right, let's get into it. Here's what I mean
when I say daily checklist. This is not a remodel
and it's not expensive gear. This is a quick
scan you can do in just a few minutes once or
twice a day that can prevent a life -changing
fall. First, let's start at the doorway. When
you walk into the bathroom, take a look at the
floor. Is it dry? Is it clear? Are there towels
on the floor or clothes dropped after a shower?
Even a small rug that's curled up at the edge
can become a slip hazard. I always tell caregivers
if something can slide or skid or bunch up, then
it does not belong on the bathroom floor. Well,
any floor. Smooth floors and clear paths matter
more than matching decor. You know what I'm talking
about? Next, check the lighting. Bathrooms are
often used early in the morning or late at night
when eyes are tired and balance is already off.
Flip the light switch. Does it come on right
away? Is it bright enough to see the toilet,
the sink, the shower clearly? If the answer is
no, add a night light or a motion sensor light.
This is one of the easiest safety wins there
is. Good light reduces confusion and miss steps
which is huge. Now let's talk about grab bars.
Give them a quick tug. I'm serious. Put your
hand on the grab bar near the toilet and in the
shower and gently pull. Does it feel solid? No
wiggle? No looseness? If a grab bar shifts even
a little, it's not doing its job. A loose grab
bar can actually cause a fall instead of preventing
one. I've seen that happen and it can be scary.
This daily check takes five seconds and can save
months of recovery. Alright, let's move on to
the toilet area. Look at the seat height. Is
it easy for your loved one to sit down and stand
back up again? If you notice they're rocking
forward and backwards, pushing hard with their
arms, or struggling to get upright, that's a
sign the seat may be too low. A raised toilet
seat or a toilet frame can make a world of difference.
Also be sure to check the floor around the toilet.
Any splashes, any dampness, even a small wet
spot can be risky on tile or vinyl. Next, check
the sink and the vanity. Is the area clutter
free? Toothbrushes, hair tools, bottles, and
cords can crowd the counter and the edge of the
counter. So make sure frequently used items are
easy to reach without stretching or bending.
And you also want to check faucet handles. Are
they easy to turn? Arthritis and weak grips can
turn a simple task into a struggle. Lever style
handles are much easier to turn than knobs. All
right, now let's head into the shower or the
tub. This is the highest risk spot in the whole
bathroom. First, look at the floor of the tub
or the shower. Is there a non -slip mat or non
-slip strips in place? Are they clean and lying
flat? Soap buildup can make even a mat slippery,
so a quick rinse or a wipe matters. Next, check
the shower chair or bench if there is one. Is
it stable? All four legs are firmly planted on
the floor. Rubber tips are intact. A wobbly shower
chair is a red flag. And you also want to look
at the soap and shampoo placement. Are they easy
to reach while seated or standing safely? If
someone has to lean or twist or reach high or
get up and walk across the shower, that's a fall
waiting to happen. Next, water temperature. Turn
on the water and test it. Sudden hot water can
cause someone to jump back or lose balance. If
the water heats up too fast, consider installing
an anti -scald device. This is especially important
for people with reduced sensation or slower reaction
times. And let's not forget about towels. Are
the towels within arms reach when stepping out
of the shower? Reaching across the room while
you're wet is risky. Place towels where they
can be grabbed without moving the feet. This
sounds small, but it's one of those hidden dangers
that shows up again and again. Here's another
daily checklist or check that people miss. Listen.
When your loved one uses the bathroom, do you
hear hesitation from them? Do they call out for
help to stand up or to get out of the shower?
Those sounds are important clues. They tell you
where support is needed next. Bathroom safety
is not just what you see, it's also what you
notice over time. If you're doing all of this
and you still feel uneasy, let me say this clearly.
You want to trust that feeling. Your instincts
matter. The bathroom should not feel like a constant
worry zone. Small upgrades done early prevent
big emergencies later. And asking for help from
an occupational therapist or a home safety specialist
is a smart move. It's not a failure on your part.
So here is your quick daily bathroom safety recap.
You want dry, clear floors. Good lighting, especially
at night. You want secure grab bars, proper toilet
height, stable shower seating. You want to make
sure you have non -slip surfaces, a safe water
temperature, easy to reach towels and supplies.
That's it. It's simple, it's doable, and it's
powerful. So thanks for joining me today. Please
share this episode with someone you care about
who can use the information to make their life
safer. You'll find more resources for seniors
and caregivers on our website at seniorsafetyadvice
.com. And if you're searching for an aging in
place specialist, please visit our sister website
at aginginplacedirectory .com. Then come back
tomorrow for another daily moment of guidance
and encouragement. right here on the Senior Safety
Advice Podcast. Oh, and last but not least, if
you haven't subscribed to our YouTube channel
or to this podcast yet, go ahead and do that
right now. Until next time, thanks for listening.
Take care. Bye.