Creating a safe home

Bathroom

Before you wash, consider the following.

If you feel concerned about falling, you could make sure another person is in the house and on hand in an emergency. Alternatively, you can give a family or friend a call to inform them that you are just going for a wash and to raise the alarm if you do not call back within a set period of time.

Put a non-slip mat in the bath or shower on the area where you will be standing. Put an additional non-slip mat on the area where you will get out.

Put everything you need, such as soap or shampoo, within easy reach to avoid over-reaching or balancing which can lead to falls.

Check the temperature of the water before you step into the shower or bath. Water should be at no more than 46 degrees Celsius. You can install a thermostatic mixing valve to get the right temperature or run the cold water and gradually move it to hot while you test it.

Getting out of the bath or shower

Consider:

• drying yourself while in the bath or shower to prevent getting water on the floor and making it slippery
• wiping up any water spills to remove the risk of slipping on them

If you feel unsteady on your feet, consider having a grab rail to support you when getting in and out of the bath or shower.

If you have a non-slip mat on the floor where you get out the bath or shower, move it once you’re out of the bath or shower.

Using the toilet

Do not hold onto the sink or radiator when using the toilet. The fixings can eventually work themselves loose from the wall and detach themselves.

In addition, the radiator could burn you. Placing a towel over the radiator to stop a radiator burning you can become a hazard, as it is not secured to the radiator it can slip from your grasp. Not only can you burn yourself but if you lose your grip, you can fall.

If you use a walking frame, and your bathroom is small, you may be better to leave it outside than risk tripping over it. You can always have grab rails fitted to the walls to hold onto.

Equipment that may help

There are a lot of living aids that can help you while you are in the bathroom.

Consider:

• fitting a grab rail in the bath or shower - this would help you get in and out of the bath or shower safely
• fitting a shower seat - this can help you if you are unable to stand while showering
• using a bath lift - this would help you lower yourself into the bath, or lift yourself out
• a raised toilet seat - this can help you if your toilet is too low for you to sit on comfortably and stand up after use by making the sitting position higher
• fitting a grab rail next to your toilet - this would help you lower yourself onto the toilet and stand up
• using a commode - this could help you if you do not have a toilet on each level in your home and find the stairs difficult, or it can help at night-time if you have difficulty walking to the toilet as you can have it in your bedroom - remember you’ll need to empty it

Consider adapting your bathroom, to make it easier to use the shower or toilet. You could remove the bath or a high step in cubicle shower and replace it with a walk-in low-level access tray or a wet room shower.

Ensure you plan a large enough area to enable you to use a seat now or in the future. You may need to consider a wheel-in seat.

You may also need to change the toilet, if you are unable to use the toilet independently, to a wash and dry toilet.

To help with these changes, you may be eligible for a government grant called a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).

Find out more about aids, adaptations and equipment that could help you to stay independent in your own home.

Using technology to ensure your safety in the bathroom

Remember to take your lifeline pendant into the bathroom with you. Having the pendant enables you to call for help should you need it while using bathroom facilities.

Bathrooms are a place where people experience slips, trips, and falls or go to when they feel unwell. Being able to call for help when it is needed is essential.

Consider a subscription to our Lifeline service. This personal alarm services should provide you with confidence and peace of mind knowing someone is always available to help you should you fall or need help.

Find out more about technology that can help you stay safe.

Last updated 27 November 2023