Benefits of Showers

Baths and showers are both effective at getting you clean, but each offers its own benefits. You might opt for a shower for these reasons:

• Fast, effective cleansing: The water washing over your body from the shower head helps rinse soap, shampoo and conditioner quickly. It can feel easier to clean all parts of your body, and you're not sitting in bath water with soap in it.
• Easier entry: Shower stalls make it easier for older adults to enter. You don't have to step over the high bathtub side, so you cut down the risk of a fall. Zero-entry or roll-in shower stalls can also accommodate wheelchairs for a more accessible option.
• Consistent temperature: Unless you shower so long that you run out of hot water, a shower gives you a consistent water temperature, whether you want a cool shower to beat the heat or a toasty hot shower for a soothing effect. Bathwater can cool off quickly, leaving you chilly.
• Versatility: Shower heads often come with multiple water patterns and intensities to give you control over the experience. You can also choose handheld shower heads to direct the water where you want it.

Benefits of Baths

If you're more of a bath person, you'll appreciate learning the benefits of this option to back up your choice. Some benefits of taking a bath as a senior include:

• Reduced slipping hazard: Once you lower yourself into the bathtub, you're seated securely, reducing the risk of injury due to slipping.
• Less stamina required: If you have physical limitations, standing for an entire shower can be exhausting. Sitting down relieves pressure on your legs and allows you to relax.
• Reduced water splashing: The sensation of water showering down on you can feel overwhelming. Baths can feel more controlled since the water isn't constantly rushing over you.
• Relaxation: Some seniors like to soak in the bathtub to relax. You can add Epsom salt or lavender essential oil to the bathwater to add to the soothing effect that helps ease anxiety. It can also help you feel sleepier if you bathe at night, which could improve your sleep.
• Muscle ache relief: Soaking in a bathtub might also help ease muscle and joint pain, which is common in older adults.

Which Should You Choose?

If you don't have any major mobility issues or physical limitations, the best bathing option depends on your preferences. Consider which option helps you feel the most secure. For some people, sitting down in a bathtub makes them feel safer and doesn't wear them out as much as standing in a shower. Others prefer to stand instead of lowering themselves down into a tub.

When mobility is an issue, compare the options to determine what's best. A walk-in shower without a high ledge eliminates the need to step up and over the high side of a tub. You can add a shower seat so you don't have to stand during the shower.

Shower and Bath Safety Tips

With either option, improving the setup and how you use the shower or tub can keep you safe and comfortable. Follow these tips to help:

• Add grab bars: Your bathroom becomes safer when you have grab bars installed securely in and around the shower or bathtub. Hold the bars to steady yourself when you get in and out of the bathing area or if you feel off-balance while you're showering.
• Lay down grippy surfaces: Bathtub and shower surfaces can become slippery quickly, especially with soap and shampoo in the mix. If the surface is smooth, add a textured mat or strips designed to go into a tub. They add grip to the floor to cut down on slipping.
• Use a nonslip bath mat: When you step out of the shower, you want a secure spot that won't slide. Look for a bath mat with a nonslip back to do the job. It also absorbs water so you don't have a slippery, wet floor outside of the shower or tub.
• Install a shower chair: Standing for long periods while you shower can be exhausting and increase your risk of falling. Using a shower chair takes the load off your legs and prevents you from slipping. You can also find chairs designed for bathtubs to allow you to sit at a higher level.
• Keep everything accessible: An often overlooked hazard is losing your balance when you reach for items in the bath or shower. Install extra shower storage that's easy to reach so you don't have to stretch too far.
• Hang a weighted shower curtain: If your bathroom uses a shower curtain instead of a door, choose a weighted liner or curtain. The weights help keep the curtain in place to prevent water from splashing onto the floor outside.

Assisted living residents at The Gardens at Springfield get customized, appropriate levels of assistance with personal care tasks, including bathing. That assistance can increase safety while ensuring residents stay clean.

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