When you have mobility issues, getting into and out of the bathtub or shower safely can be a challenge. In recognition of National Bath Safety Month, the occupational therapists at Aultman Health Care in Your Home have a few tips to help make your bathroom safer for everyone in the family.

Occupational therapists are skilled rehab professionals who assist people with improving their self-care skills such as bathing, dressing, toileting, cooking and laundry.

They can assist people with improving balance, strength and/or endurance to complete self-care tasks as safely and independently as possible.

Occupational therapists also make recommendations to modify the task and/or environment to help people be as independent as possible with their self-care.

Home Health occupational therapists can collaborate with people in their homes regarding how to bathe safely and independently. Occupational therapists take each individual’s personal abilities and specific home environment into account to make tailored recommendations.

Here are recommendations from home healthcare professionals to help people thrive at home:

Install grab bars and handrails.

Wall-mounted grab bars or even a tub-mounted grab bar may be appropriate, depending on your setup. Typically, the most useful setup is a vertical bar at the tub or shower entrance for stepping in and out and a horizontal one inside the tub or shower.

Avoid suction-cup grab bars when possible.

If a suction-cup grab bar is the only option, be sure to reattach the grab bar prior to each shower. Because suction-cup grab bars can come loose easily, they are NOT designed for a person to pull themselves up on. Instead, a suction-cup grab bar should only be used for balance and stability.

Use adaptive equipment to make things easier and safer.

Shower chairs or tub benches can allow you to sit if you get tired, and they can make getting in and out easier. A handheld showerhead allows you to control where the water goes and helps ensure you get every area clean. Handheld showerheads are quite easy to install and can make it significantly easier for someone to assist you with showering, without having to take a shower themselves.

Swimming goggles can also be helpful to keep the water out of your eyes. Long-handled sponges or back scrubbers can help you wash tough-to-reach areas. Often people neglect to wash their feet, and that can lead to long-term health risks – specifically for diabetics.

Make sure all surfaces are nonslip.

Nonslip bathmats and/or anti-slip bath strips can provide traction and reduce the risk of slips when stepping in or out of the bath or shower. Wearing water shoes and drying off before you get out of the shower can also help limit any slippage and support your balance.

Don’t bathe or shower when you are home alone, and make sure that you have an effortless way to contact someone in the home when you need help in the bathtub or shower.

This is especially important when you do not feel well, such as being overly tired or dizzy. If you are unable to have someone in the home with you while you shower, arrange to have someone contact you after a predetermined amount of time after your bath. This will help ensure your safety.