Reply With QuoteThe first thing she needs is grab bars. Then add some texture to the floor itself. Glue-on traction strips are cheap and easy.
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Shower safety for seniors
Hello everyone,
I’m trying to help my grandma be safer in the shower. I want the shower floor to be less slippery. There are aftermarket shower mats, but they often rely upon suction cups and I worry that suction cups could come loose and cause a tripping hazard. What’s a practical and reliable way to create a grippier shower floor?
If there is a way to tag or nudge Dr. Sullivan from Greysteel, I am very curious to his opinion on this.
Thank you,
TMPHBITEU
The first thing she needs is grab bars. Then add some texture to the floor itself. Glue-on traction strips are cheap and easy.
Member
Thanks for the pointers, Rip. I found some adhesive strips by 3M that look good. Grabber bar will be a bit more challenging, because the entire shower unit is plastic, but I will keep searching for mountable options. I just can’t trust suction cups in the event of an emergency.
TMPHBITEU
Might be time for a bathroom remodel.
✓ Member
Is it a shower stall or a plastic tub insert? If it butts up to a wall you can mount into a stud and just seal the escutcheons with silicone bath caulk.Originally Posted by BareSteel
They do make no-drill bars for mounting to tile or metal but I think they're rated for less weight. And you'd want to double check that the adhesive is compatible with the surface obviously.
✓ Member
At that point, it's not just the adhesive holding the bar to the tile, but the tile to the wall. Same thing for anything you're sticking it to. I'd say definitely go for attaching to studs.
Member
I’ll have to double check next time I visit, but I think it’s basically a large molded insert that includes the tub, shower walls and a shelf. It extends perhaps a few inches from the wall.
TMPHBITEU
She needs a remodeled bathroom. If she falls and hurts herself, you're going to feel bad about this.
Member
If you do remodel the bathroom, consider a shower only (no tub) with full door so she doesn't have to step over the tub, or a standing tub. And just ditto to what Mark said, grab bars and grip tape.
Member
What he said. I suppose that if it’s possible to drill through the plastic of the shower enclosure and directly into two secure studs for each end of the grab bar you may save Grandma a remodel. If not, go for the remodel. Statistically for seniors, the bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house (more than kitchens).
For more general tips on fall prevention, you’ll have to enforce wide open, unobstructed paths throughout her living space, excellent lighting, NO throw rugs, make sure the grandkiddies don’t leave toys on the floor, get rid of knee-level coffee tables to trip on, no boxes or magazines on the floor, and no walking with hands in the pockets. Depending on how frail she is and her cognitive status, always try to get her mindful of falling and reaffirm the incredible loss of independence that can happen to her in less than a second due to carelessness that she’ll regret forever. Hope that she doesn’t have a small dog or cat that you’ll never convince her to get rid of (although for seniors, they often have benefits that can exceed the increased risk of falls).
Oh, and get her to squat even if it’s supervised by you and with only a broomstick. That will help her significantly more than the SS gym she won’t go to. It won’t make her stronger but it will help her proprioception (her position-sense).
I have a largely geriatric practice. Trust me. On this stuff, I KNOW what I’m talking about through very painful experience with patients and their families.
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