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Home health care and bathroom upgrades help seniors age in place safely.
Everyday duties, such as maintaining hygiene, can get harder with age. Not only that, but seniors may have physical limits and safety dangers when using a standard bathtub or shower, which makes maintaining hygiene even harder. However, seniors can now take advantage of safer and more comfortable bathing with bathroom upgrades like the walk-in bathtub or shower, along with utilizing assistance from home health care providers.
For loved ones, it’s essential to have conversations with seniors about their concerns and challenges regarding hygiene to ensure they have the resources they need.
How Can a Walk-In Tub or Shower Help Seniors Maintain Hygiene?
Increased safety is one of the main benefits of walk-in showers and tubs. Traditional tubs frequently have high walls, which makes it challenging for seniors with mobility impairments to easily get in and out.
On the other hand, walk-in models have integrated handrails and low thresholds, which lessen the possibility of trips and falls. To further reduce accidents, anti-slip surfaces are often included with these fixtures.
Other benefits gained when seniors have access to walk-in showers and tubs and home health care include the following:
Accessibility
Easy access is critical for seniors with impairments or restricted movement. There’s no need to climb over awkward boundaries when using walk-in baths and showers. This accessibility gives seniors and their loved ones peace of mind in addition to encouraging independence.
It also allows home health care aides to better assist seniors while helping them maintain their dignity. For instance, seniors can enter the tub on their own while home health care professionals provide support with washing their hair, ensuring the water is at the right temperature, and assisting with other needs depending on the senior’s abilities.
Comfort and Convenience
When using a traditional shower, seniors may have to stand for long amounts of time, which can be taxing and uncomfortable. While home health care providers can help them quickly move through their hygiene routine, it would still be more beneficial for seniors to have the chance to sit.
While a specialty chair can be added to showers, the chance to sit and be more comfortable is greater with a walk-in tub. Additionally, features like handheld sprayers and adjustable shower heads provide dual comfort and convenience.
Benefits of Hydrotherapy
Whirlpool systems and hydrotherapy jets are two common therapeutic features included in many walk-in tub designs. These features can reduce joint discomfort, ease sore muscles, and enhance circulation. Hydrotherapy can also provide seniors with arthritis or other chronic diseases with much-needed relaxation and respite.
Independence and Dignity
Seniors’ physical and mental health depend on their ability to maintain proper personal hygiene. Seniors can maintain their sense of dignity and independence by bathing on their own with the help of walk-in bathtubs and showers.
As mentioned above, even when they need the aid of home health care providers, there are still steps seniors can take on their own to make them feel in control.
Minimal Maintenance
Walk-in showers and tubs are made with the needs of seniors in mind, which includes simple cleaning and maintenance. Numerous versions have easily accessible components and long-lasting materials. Because of this, seniors can maintain hygiene without having to worry about detailed maintenance needs.
Of course, home health care services can also help with this task, helping increase the ease of hygiene management even more.
Walk-in showers and tubs are revolutionary fixtures that support senior well-being, safety, and accessibility. They are also easily cleaned by home care and aid home health care aides by making it easier to ensure seniors get the hygiene care they need on a consistent basis.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Health Care in Wantagh, NY, please contact the caring staff at Brookville Homecare today. 516-802-7722
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