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Parkinson’s disease causes symptoms that may increase the risk of injuries for seniors during bathing. Fortunately, you may be able to decrease these risks for your senior loved one by using the following bathroom safety tips.
Purchase a Shower Chair
Postural instability is a common Parkinson’s symptom that appears in the middle to late stages of the disease. This may cause your loved one to have difficulty with maintaining balance when standing upright. A shower chair is better than a bench because it has a back that may prevent your loved one from falling backward in the shower.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need help with the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living may benefit from Cincinnati elder care. Families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide the high-quality care their aging loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
Install a Handheld Shower Hose
As Parkinson’s progresses, your loved one may experience rigidity and balance problems that make it difficult to safely turn around in the shower or reach certain areas of the body. A handheld shower hose will enable your loved one to enjoy greater independence during his or her personal hygiene routine. Additionally, limiting the amount of movements your loved one must make during the shower reduces the risk of falling.
Consider Alternatives to Bar Soap
Bar soap often leaves a slippery film on the shower or bathtub floor, which may increase your loved one’s risk of losing his or her balance. Bending over to pick up a dropped bar of soap may also be difficult due to stiff muscles. Instead, choose soap on a rope or a liquid soap dispenser designed for people with limited movement.
Living with serious health conditions may make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they may maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional home care service. Cincinnati seniors may benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Adjust the Water Temperature
Bradykinesia, or slow movements, is another hallmark symptom of Parkinson’s disease that may interfere with safety while bathing. Due to the delayed movements, your loved one may not be able to react in time if the water reaches a scalding temperature. For this reason, it’s best to adjust the hot water thermostat to a comfortable temperature that isn’t hot enough to cause injury. Using cooler water may also prevent dizziness and fatigue, both of which could lead to a fall.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s may be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver may be a wonderful source of support. If your aging loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a Cincinnati in-home care agency you may trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your parent, give us a call at 513-540-0826 today.
