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Creating a Safe Home Environment |
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Written by Christine Lever
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Wednesday, 13 December 2006 |
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Page 8 of 12
Bathroom Dangers
Hiding the stoppers for the sinks in both the bathrooms and kitchen will help ensure the sinks and baths won't overflow when the water is mistakenly turned on or left running and forgotten.
Keeping countertops clear helps prevent confusion. Sometimes this confusion leads to drinking things such as mouthwash or shampoo, or putting things in pockets such as soaps or creams.
Sometimes waste baskets are confused for toilets, a problem easily resolved by hiding the waste basket.
Some AD sufferers will sometimes try to eat tissues, so not leaving these out will prevent this.
Putting strips of coloured tape around the edges of the bathtub will help to distinguish the edge and depth of the tub as well as the floor.
Using differently coloured mats in the bathroom helps ensure fixtures are clearly visible. Just make sure any bathroom mats have rubber backings so they cannot slip, especially when wet.
There should be strong and sturdy grab bars in the bathroom along with a raised toilet seat (available at medical supply stores or pharmacies). This not only helps prevent falls but makes it easier to stand from or sit on the toilet.
If the shower has glass doors, applying decals on the doors will help ensure they're seen. Also make sure the doors are sturdy as they will likely be used to bear weight while entering and leaving the shower.
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