Whether you are taking in your older parents who need a little extra assistance, or you have found yourself struggling to move about with ease, there is plenty of help available to you. There are a number of small safety devices you can add to your home or even to your bathroom, a dangerous environment even when you have a perfectly healthy body. So here are just a few extra ways to make your bathrooms safer for those who need just a little extra assistance.

1. Support Bars. No assistance-friendly bathroom could hope to call itself as such without support bars everywhere. Support bars provide a solid point of help to anyone who needs them. It’s a good idea to have one next to the toilet and one in your shower, at the very least. It is best to always install your support bars horizontally because diagonal bars can actually increase the chance of someone slipping.

2. Skid proof trouble surfaces. We’ve all slipped while stepping out of the bathtub before, it’s as inevitable as taxes. It is an excellent idea to be sure and skid proof your bathroom. Get rubber mats with slip-resistant surfaces to help reduce the chance of slips when you step out of the shower. Another good product to get is safety treads for the tub itself. These are relatively inexpensive and take only a few minutes to apply to the bottom of your tub. These add texture to the tub’s otherwise slick surface and they will significantly reduce the chances of anyone having an accident.

3. Shower seat. This is typically just a small, fold-out bench that can be anchored directly to the wall and then unfolded when needed. This accommodating bench will be great for those who cannot stand for long periods of time. There are also shower chairs for a removable option.

4. Raised toilet seats. Often it is difficult for seniors to lower or raise themselves any sort of significant distance. One thing to consider is that toilet seats are often fairly low. You may want to look into getting safety equipment for your toilet, especially a raised seat that will add several inches to the toilet, making it easier for you senior to access. These toilet boosters usually include additional safety railings for installation immediately around the toilet itself, rendering further aid.

5. Adequate Lighting. This may not immediately grab your attention as being a safety requirement. However, adequate lighting can go a long way toward helping seniors who may not be able to see as well. Good, strong lighting will help them to be able to see any obstacles in their way and more easily see the edges of any steps or rugs.