How to Make Bathrooms Safer for Patients With Dementia

by Kevin Smith Author

Gradual memory loss and deteriorating mental function are the main characteristics of dementia, a group of conditions that includes Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. It's caused by physical changes in the brain due to an injury, infection, disease, or genetics.

Dementia is a progressive syndrome that affects language, memory, and decision-making. Over time, the patient will find it difficult to perform everyday tasks around the home. Navigating the bathroom can be particularly tricky as it poses safety risks, like slippery floors. Here's how you can modify this space to make it easier and safer to use.

Showers and Bathtubs

To make bathing a more comfortable experience, bathrooms must be equipped with special features. A walk-in shower set should have a low entry step and a wide door so that the person won't have a hard time making their way in and out of the space. To minimize their chances of slipping or falling, it's best to install a sturdy chair that they can sit on while washing themselves.

Caddies and controls should also be placed within reach so that the user won't have to repeatedly stand up and sit down to get products or adjust the water temperature.

Toilets

Patients with dementia have difficulty with depth perception. They can't always gauge their proximity from the objects around them or see these things as separate from their surroundings. This may pose a problem when using the commode. To make the process easier for them, parts of the toilet, like the seat and the pan, should be painted in different colors. This will help the person recognize the fixture and estimate how far or close it is from where they're standing.

Wash Basins

The same rule applies to the sink and countertop. Make sure that these 2 come in contrasting shades to make it easier for the patient to find them. It's also a good idea to use different colored grooming items, like towels, toothbrushes, and soaps. The varying hues will help them tell which is which.

Sometimes, an individual may forget to switch off the tap, leaving water running and flooding the bathroom. Not only will this generate waste, but it'll also lead to slippery floors. To avoid these, use a sink plug that can empty the basin once it's almost full.

If you're caring for someone who has dementia, making adjustments to the home is crucial in ensuring their safety. Get in touch with a company that designs and installs a walk-in shower set and similar fixtures today.