Seniors falling in bathrooms is, unfortunately, common. Bathrooms have slippery surfaces due to which elderly individuals tend to fall. The National Institute of Aging data suggests that one in every 3 seniors above 65 years fall every year and 80 percent of these falls ensue in the bathroom.
Now, to reduce seniors from falling in bathrooms, the mandatory safety precautions should be taken. One important step for reducing the number of accidents of seniors in the bathroom is by using non-slip bath mats. Then, the seniors are less likely of falling when getting in and out of the shower or when they’re going to the toilet.
In a nutshell, non-slip bath mats help make bathrooms a safe place for all. However, an array of bath mats are available, and selecting the ones that are best suited to seniors requires due consideration. To help you make the right choice, we have listed some important aspects to consider during your purchases.
Aspects to consider when selecting a safe bath mat for elderly persons
Here are the important aspects to consider when choosing bath mats for seniors.
Do they come with anti-slip qualities?
The most important consideration when purchasing a bath mat for your loved one is to check if they are anti-slip ones. Because they can help the senior person to remain stable and balanced.
A good way to detect whether mats come with this feature or not is:
- Check for robust and suction cups beneath the rug or mat
- Patterned designs that hinder the smooth surface of mat tops
Are they easy to clean?
Senior persons suffer from limited mobility and, thus, products that come with easy-to-clean features remain their mainstay. Also, in bath mats, you must check whether they can be cleaned with less effort.
Plus, in easy-to-clean mats, you can avail both machine-washed and hand-washed ones.
What about comfort?
Most seniors tend to be sensitive, with the sensitivity levels varying from person to person. However, for highly sensitive elderly persons, a bath mat with a comfortable texture is the general recommendation. Then, the seniors are not tickled when they use such mats.
Along with comfort, you also want a mat to be both durable and functional. Only then they can serve the intended purposes suitably while giving you your money’s worth.
Are they anti-microbial?
Microbial elements are everywhere, including inside our bodies. Even so, if they increase in number, they can cause health problems and other problems. So, you may want mats that are treated with anti-microbial solutions. Then, they will not amass bacterial elements in the bathroom and are deemed safe to use.
The anti-microbial quality is important not only from the cleanliness standpoint but also for hygiene purposes.
Do they dry quickly?
The main role of bath rugs is to prevent slips and falls in the bathroom. And to do so, the mat should be able to dry quickly. Because a wet mat is not useful and will not prevent falls.
So, make a wise decision and go with bath mats or rugs that will leave the bathroom dry soon enough.
The rubber-based models tend to dry fast because they do not retain water. So, you can choose them.
Though, if you like the more comfortable and intricately-designed ones, then make sure that they dry out fast.
Do they contain small suction cups at the bottom?
Bath mats that come with suction cups on the bottom should be your pick. The suction cups keep the mat in place and do not allow it to move around.
More so, ensure the suction cups are small. The large bumpy suction cups make the mat surface irregular and this can cause stumbles and falls.
