The bathroom is a space for daily use, therefore, deserves special conditioning. Usually have an architecture that is designed for older people, especially if they have disabilities.

The sources of problems are numerous: the soil becomes wet and slippery, you have to jump the edge of the tub to get in and out of it, or the showers have an edge on your plate to be overstepping to use it. Often it is a windowless room, with insufficient lighting, and would not be appropriate for the toilet when conditions are problematic or when you need the constant presence of a caregiver.

There some Risk Points that we can get in bathroom, such as:

1. the soil. It must be kept dry and pay attention to the splashes of hygiene products (soaps, bath gels) which may eventually lead to slipping or falling.

2. Taps. Thermostatic taps should be installed to prevent burns or limit hot water temperature to 60 degrees.

3. The bathtub. In and out of the tub can be difficult for an older person, it increases the risk of a fall. As a precautionary measure, should be placed nonslip adhesive strips or a non-slip floor at the bottom of the tub. It would also be advisable to install in the wall that surrounds the tub support bar to allow easy entry and exit. It must have an inclination of 45 degrees (the low end to the place of the tub where you place the head). If the shower is fixed on the wall, we recommend placing the tub shower flexible tube as its easier handling. If the older person presents problems lie in the bathtub, one solution would incorporate a bath seat so you can sit. This is an easy to install and makes the caregiver of the older person has more easily to bath time.
Finally, we recommend placing the tub in front of a mat-slip, which will prevent it from slipping while feet are still wet.

4. The shower: It assumes an increasingly more useful as it becomes more difficult to wash the older person. Contrary to what happens with the bath is not necessary to jump over the edge to get into it. In the shower, should take the following steps: placing non-slip adhesive strips or a non-slip floor, at the bottom of the shower tray. Install in the wall grab bars at a height of 1.5 m with an inclination of 45 degrees, a non-slip mat outside the shower and shower seat which allows the caregiver to sit while taking a shower.

5. The sink. It is usually recessed wash which does not allow sitting or using a wheelchair. Better a separate health also allows building on it.

6. The kit. The bathroom is the room of the home where you’re regular medications usually stored (often out of date), alcohol, nail polish … and other products whose ingestion can be toxic. So, catch all these products and keep them in a safe place, even those that seem little dangerous.

7. The heater. If gas, replace with an electric one. In any case, we must ensure that the thermostat can not be manipulated easily because the older person can make mistakes when you try to regulate it.

8. The lighting, Must meet several criteria. Switch should be a clearly visible (luminescent for night), placed as close to the doorknob, you turn the room from the door. It should install an automatic ignition system that illuminates the bathroom when it enters a person (should be adjusted so as to not shut down at least 15 minutes or when the occupant leaves). It is also recommended installing a “night light” in order to prevent older people walk in the dark or to be banging against the walls of both night and day if the bathroom does not have daylight.

9. The sealing system of the door when the bathroom is occupied. Most of the doors of the bathrooms have an internal locking system to protect the privacy of the person using it. Sometimes it is a latch and other system attached to a doorknob. To prevent older people from getting locked out and can not, should remove the seal. You can use a wooden block so that the door remains open permanently. So the bathroom is always accessible and can monitor the family.

10. The soaps, shampoos and bath gels. Be careful when using these products for hygiene, since they can cause falls.

The shower is an increasingly useful element as it becomes more difficult to wash the older person.
The shower is an increasingly useful element as it becomes more difficult to wash the older person.