Ageing adults often experience health changes such as insomnia, incontinence and medication side effects that make them more likely to need the toilet during the night. However, they are also more likely to experience trips and falls while walking around the house in the dark. This can lead to injuries that can have a devastating effect on their health and compromise their ability to live independently. At Home Care Assistance, we know that taking steps to make going to the bathroom safer at night can make a big difference in the life of your loved one. We have put together our top safety tips you can use to help keep your loved one safe at night when they head to the bathroom.
Install Motion Detection Lighting
Having the pathway to the toilet lit as your loved one makes their way to the bathroom helps keep them safe. A great way to do this is to install motion sensor nightlights in your loved one’s room, hallway, and bathroom. Look for lights that have brightness adjustments so you can make them not too bright for those middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.
Install Rails
Getting out of bed quickly to use the toilet at night can lead to falls. A bed rail makes it easier for them to do so. If needed, rails along the walls and in the bathroom can also be useful for preventing falls.
Ensure Flooring is Slip-Resistant
Slip-resistant flooring helps prevent floors from becoming slippery. Rugs can become a tripping hazard at night, so be careful when using them. If you do use rugs, make sure they have slip-resistant backing. Also, keep an eye on the flooring—it may need replacing if it develops wrinkles or becomes a trip hazard.
Consider a Motion Activated Toilet
Placing motion lights on toilets can help draw your loved one’s attention to the toilet and help aging adults maintain focus.
Highlight the Route to the Bathroom
Aging adults living with Alzheimer’s or dementia can get lost and disoriented on their way to the bathroom – especially when they have just woken up during the night. Placing coloured tape – or glow-in-the-dark materials, along the pathway to the bathroom makes it easier for older loved ones to find their way. Painting the bathroom door a bright colour can also help.
Ensure Easy Access to Their Glasses
If your aging loved one wears glasses, make sure a pair is next to their bed so they can quickly put them on when going to the bathroom at night. Keeping their vision clear allows them to navigate much more easily and safely.
Provide a Call Device
If your loved one has limited mobility or other health issues, they may need assistance using the bathroom. Install an intercom or put a phone next to the bed so they can call a caregiver for help.
Make Sure Pathways are Clear
One of the best ways to prevent trips and falls when using the bathroom at night is to ensure that the pathway between your loved one’s bedroom and the bathroom is clear and free of hazards or items that could be tripped over. This is not only useful at night when they go to the bathroom but can reduce daytime falls as well.
By implementing these tips, you can make it easier for your aging loved one to use the bathroom at night safely. If your loved one received support at home from a specialist provider such as Home Care Assistance, speak to their Care Professional about how they can help you implement these tips for your loved one in their home. Your Care Professional can provide customised tips for your loved one’s individual circumstances.
Support at home from a specialist provider, such as Home Care Assistance, can bring enormous benefits and comfort to your quality of life while living independently at home. Home Care Assistance has viable solutions when it comes to supporting independent living. For more information, get in touch with a Home Care Assistance near me today.
