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Bathroom and toilet
This Help Sheet suggests some ways to make the bathroom
and toilet as useful and safe as possible for a person with
dementia, their family and carers. Not all suggestions will suit
all people or situations, but some people will find a solution to a
particular problem they are experiencing with the bathroom or
toilet.
The aim of any modifications to a bathroom and toilet is to help
the person with dementia maintain independent personal care and
continence for as long as possible.
Modifications should also:-
• Help prevent falls
• Make bathing a relaxing and pleasant experience
• Help the person feel warm, safe and secure
• Respect the person's privacy
• Make personal care as easy and safe as possible for the
carer
What to try
Toilet
• Put a sign on the door with words, symbols or a picture indicating the toilet.
• Leave the toilet door open so it can be easily identified.
Leave a night light on in the toilet and have lights leading along
the hall to the toilet from the bedroom. Arrows on the walls
pointing towards the toilet may help some people with
dementia.
• Remove the wastepaper baskets or any items in the toilet or
other rooms that may be mistaken for a toilet. Put up a sign
reminding the person with dementia to use toilet paper, flush the
toilet and wash their hands. Make sure the toilet paper is in a
place that is easy to see.
• Install a grab rail beside the toilet to assist the person to
get on and off the toilet. Consider rails with an anti-slip finish.
Remove the toilet roll holder if it is being used for support.
• Rent a raised toilet seat or toilet surround with handles.
• Remove the lock from the toilet door so the person won't get locked in.
• Consider replacing an inward opening door with a concertina
door that can be opened from outside, or rehang a door to open
outwards, if it is likely that assistance will be needed.
• Remove loose mats and check for loose edges of floor covering to
prevent falls.
• Avoid white plastic toilet seats. Use a contrasting colour for
easier identification. Colour the water in the toilet bowl to
assist aim for men.
• Introduce velcro instead of zippers and buttons, or use trousers
with an elastic waist to make it easier to get clothes off quickly
when going to the toilet.
• Remove toilet cleaning products for safety.
Bath and shower
• Install a grab rail by the bath. Adjustable bath rails that
clamp onto the side of the bath will not take as much force safely
as those secured to the wall. Towel rails, wash basin and taps are
not strong enough to take a person's weight. Consider getting grab
rails with an anti-slip finish rather than chrome.
• Use a slip-proof rubber mat or non-slip safety strips in the
bath and shower.
• Stick contrasting tape around the edge of the bath to help
define its edge. Add a little bit of food colouring to the bath if
it helps the person to see where the water is and get some idea of
depth.
• If getting in and out of the bath is difficult, install a bath
seat fixed across the bath and a hand-held hose connected to the
bath taps or shower head.
• Use grab rails mounted on the shower wall and a non-slip mat on
the shower floor. If standing is difficult, use a shower chair and
hand-held shower with extra long hose.
• Recessed soap containers are safer than the protruding style
which can cause injury during a fall. Put buffer cushions or even
tape sponge rubber around the fixtures, if necessary, to avoid
injury.
• It may be helpful to remove shower doors and replace with a
shower curtain to make it easier for access and assistance.
• Ensure adequate lighting to help see the edges of the bath and
shower recess. If painting the room, use a colour which contrasts
with the bath and basin, so that it is easier for the person to see
the fixtures. An all-white bathroom with white fixtures and
fittings can be confusing for a person with dementia.
• Remove the door lock so that it is not possible to become locked
in the bathroom. As with the door to the toilet, consider
installing an outward opening door or a concertina door in case
assistance is necessary.
• Use latches or key locks, but where possible choose a discreet
model.
• Remove or lock away shampoo and conditioner, other hair care
products, cleaning agents, bath oils, medicines, vitamins, razor
blades, shavers and any other sharp things.
Appliances
• Heating is important in the bathroom as it makes it more comfortable for people to undress and wash. However, some heaters present safety problems. Heat lamps are safest. Wall mounted radiators can work well if mounted high on the wall. If other heaters are used, they should have guards and automatic cut-off switches in case they are knocked over.
• The hair dryer should be locked away if there is a chance that
it would be used with wet hands or put in water by mistake. Install
safety plugs in power points.
Floors
• Make a slippery tiled floor non-slip by painting on an etching paint or replace with non-slip tiles in a constrasting colour to the fixtures and fittings. Washable rubber backed bathroom carpet tiles may suit. Use rubber backed bath mats. Re-glue any loose tiles to the floor.