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Activity tool 1. Use your sea legs in the bathroom!

Used with permission from the Régie Régionale de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal Centre, Programme Intégré d'Équilibre Dynamique (PIED).

• Page 1. Activity
• Page 2. Hands and knees method of standing up in a bathtub
• Page 3. Buyer’s Guide - Practical items for your bathroom
• Page 4. Checklist: “Do you use your sea legs in the bathroom?”
• Page 5. Illustration "Use your sea legs in the bathroom!"
• Page 6. Information for facilitators

Information for facilitators

Bathroom safety techniques and devices

The bathroom is one room in the home where the risk of injury is high given:

• the complexity of bathroom activities
• the nature of surfaces (for example: slippery tiles)
• the materials and shape of accessories (for example, sanitary devices and plumbing fixtures are potentially blunt objects)
• the frequent use of this room, at all times of the day or night
• the potentially dangerous products used (oils, soap, powder)

To lower the risk of falling in the bathroom, seniors are advised to develop new habits and use safety devices.

Changing habits

A shower or a bath?

Standing up from a bathtub demands good balance, good coordination and very good strength in the legs and arms. Therefore, many seniors choose to shower sitting down on a bath chair. For those that choose to shower standing up, or who continue to bathe in a bathtub, it is extremely important that they use firmly anchored, non-slip grab bars.

Entering and exiting the bathtub

There are two ways of entering and exiting a bathtub: either seated or standing. Seated transfer is the safest method because it does not require balancing on one leg. Using equipment such as a bath board, the person sits down before placing their legs in the tub.

Entering and exiting a bathtub while standing demands good leg strength, good coordination and good balance while standing on one leg. For people who prefer to enter or exit the tub while standing and then sit on the bottom of the bathtub, the “hands and feet” method is recommended.

Choosing safety devices

Technical aids are chosen according to the transfer method preferred by the seniors and the features of their bathrooms. The following are the most commonly used safety devices for taking a bath or shower.

Wall-mounted grab bars

The most useful is the 12-inch wall-mounted bar, installed vertically at the bathtub entrance to help step over the side of the tub. Install it at the user’s elbow-height. Sometimes, a 16-inch bar is installed diagonally on the soap holder wall. This bar can be useful for grabbing onto in order to stand up in the bathtub or to hold while showering. Select a non-slip bar.

Bathtub grab bar (bath handle)

The grab bar or bath handle is fastened to the side of the tub. It can help users step over the side of the tub instead of the 12-inch wall-mounted bar. The grab bar must be firmly fastened, and it is therefore important to find a model suited to the existing bathtub. The parts of the grab bar in contact with the bathtub must be non-slip and as large as possible.

WARNING, some department stores sell unsafe grab bars.

Using the sink as a support

Many seniors use their sink or counter to lean on while entering or exiting their bathtub. This method can be safe if:

• the sink is very close to the bathtub and therefore within easy reach, even when leaving the bathtub
• the sink is mounted in a cabinet or on firm legs (hardware stores sell legs for installation under sinks.)

Hand-held shower

Hand-held showers allow people to shower while sitting down. A six-foot hose allows a person to shower even while sitting on the bottom of the tub. A hand-held shower can be installed along with a regular showerhead using a switch. We recommend buying a hand-controlled shower that includes a wall-mounted support (for example, a hook). The wall-mounted support must be installed within reach, according to the person’s position while washing.

Bath chairs

Bath chairs (with a back), stools (without a back) or bath boards are useful for showering. These devices can be used along with a wall-mounted bar in the bathtub to assist in standing up or sitting down.

Non-skid mats

Regardless of the transfer method chosen or devices used, good non-skid mats inside and beside the bathtub are necessary. In the bathtub, use a rubber mat with suction cups (Rubbermaid variety). This mat is available in many sizes and colours. Other non-skid materials (for example, adhesive flowers) are less safe.

Beside the bathtub, select a flat, low-pile mat without a fringe and with a rubber backing. If a person uses the side of the bathtub for support, it should be equipped with non-slip strips.

Raised toilet seats

Raised toilet seats are useful aids for standing up from a low toilet, especially for persons with diminished strength or leg pain. Many different models are available and all are easy to install: some can be adjusted using a screw or metal fasteners, while others are simply filled with water. Some safety toilet seats also have armrests. Select the safest model according to the kind of toilet in the home.

Grab bars for toilets

Grab bars for toilets are adjustable in height. It is often easier to stand up from the toilet using these bars than using a wall-mounted bar. Grab bars for toilets are installed on the screws that hold the toilet seat in place.

Bathtub cleaning brush

To safely clean a bathtub, a long-handled brush is recommended, used while kneeling on a large, folded towel.

Installing safety devices

Poorly installed or wrongly used, safety devices can become a serious cause of falls. Ensure that installation directions are followed carefully. For example, grab bars must be securely fastened to wall studs. Although the cost is higher, it might be best to have a professional install these devices (for example, orthopedic device suppliers).

Sources

Association pour la santé et la sécurité au travail, Secteur Affaires sociales (ASSTSAS). (1997). Postures de travail sécuritaires à domicile et autonomie des personnes. Montreal: ASSTSAS.

Lemieux, C. & Paquet, C. (1999). Sécurité dans la salle de bains. Guide de sensibilisation relatif à l’aménagement, au comportement et à l’entretien sécuritaire de la salle de bains par les personnes âgées vivant à domicile. Gaspé (Qc.): Direction de la santé publique Gaspésie- Îles-de-la-Madeleine.

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