When providing stroke care for a senior loved one, it’s important to take precautions to make bath time as safe as possible. Senior stroke survivors typically have a limited ability to move, which means they may not be able to react quickly while in the shower or bath. However, there are a few items you can purchase that can increase your loved one’s safety while bathing.
1. Handheld Showerhead
Using a handheld showerhead is one of the easiest ways to increase safety in the shower. Your loved one can hold the showerhead and hose apparatus, making it easier to rinse the body without standing directly under the showerhead, which reduces the risk of falls.
2. Shower Chair
Following a stroke, it may be difficult to stand without falling, but a shower chair provides a place to sit while bathing. The chair can also provide comfort if your loved one finds it physically straining to stand for a long time.
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading elderly home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
3. Slipper Socks
Though slipper socks are more commonly worn to bed or around the house, there are some designed specifically for use in the shower. The pads on the bottoms of the socks can keep your loved one’s feet in place, which lowers the risk of slipping when getting in and out of the shower or tub.
When recovering from strokes, seniors often need a level of support some families are unable to provide. If your senior loved one needs professional in-home care in Tucson, Home Care Assistance is here to help. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors.
4. Soap on a Rope
Bar soap is easy to drop, and a slippery shower floor can increase your loved one’s risk of falling if he or she bends over to pick it up. One solution is to get soap attached to a rope that can be hung on a hook on the shower wall. Make sure the rope is long enough for your loved one to easily maneuver the soap while sitting in the shower chair.
5. Brushes with Long Handles
To prevent your loved one having to twist and turn to wash his or her body with a cloth, consider purchasing a brush with a long handle. These brushes make it easier to reach the back and legs without straining. A strap can be added so the brush is secure around the wrist, reducing your loved one’s risk of dropping it.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Tucson, AZ, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. If you need professional care for your loved one, Home Care Assistance is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (520) 276-6555.