Red Bathroom Accessories Can Encourage An Alzheimer's Patient To Use The Bathroom

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Garland Rug 3-Piece Traditional Nylon Washable Bathroom Rug Set, Chili Pepper Red

Did You Know That Red Bathroom Accessories Can Encourage Alzheimer’s Patients To Enter/Use A Bathroom?

I sure didn’t! Turns out Alzheimer’s patients have a problem with reduced vision – they tend not to see or understand contrast.

Ever been with a dementia patient who just stopped straight in their tracks? No amount of pleading can make them go forward? Step into their world and try to see what they see.

Close your eyes so that they are very hooded and gaze down, a very usual Alzheimer’s stance. Your friend may see a shadow ahead that becomes a ‘hole’ to them – they simply can’t understand the world around them any longer.

This behavior transfers to the bathroom – So, a black square tile in a bathroom can easily become a ‘hole’ to your Grandma. And, the white tiles simply disappear.

The color red seems to be one of the last colors that Alzheimer’s patients can distinguish. Therefore, it’s worth a shot to outfit your elderly loved one’s bathroom with red accessories.

You can click this link for more information about the color red and dementia patients.

And, here are some other articles I’ve written that might help you and your elderly loved one when it comes to hygiene and bathroom habits:

Encouraging Bathroom Hygiene In The Elderly

Bathroom Grab Bars

Temperature Sensitive Bathroom Faucets

Start Off With A Red Toilet Seat Cover

If you don’t want to jump in and redecorate your whole bathroom, try one of these toilet seats. Make SURE though to get the right size – toilets today come in difference shapes than just the round we used to be used to.

MAYFAIR Toilet Seat with Chrome Hinges will Slow Close and Never Come Loose, ROUND, Durable Enameled Wood, Red, 30CHSLB 613 MAYFAIR Toilet Seat with Chrome Hinges will Slow Close and Never Come Loose, ELONGATED, Durable Enameled Wood, Red, 130CHSLB 613 Sanilo Elongated Toilet Seat, Wide Choice of Slow Close Toilet Seats, Molded Wood, Strong Hinges (Roses) Ginsey Standard Soft Toilet Seat with Plastic Hinges, Merlot

Red Bathroom Sets

All of the below sets include a toilet lid cover, toilet floor rug, and a small rug for by the tub or sink.

Garland Rug 3-Piece Traditional Nylon Washable Bathroom Rug Set, Chili Pepper Red LuxUrux Bathroom Rugs 3pc Non-Slip Shaggy Chenille Bathroom Mat Set, Includes U-Shaped Contour Toilet Mat, 20 x 30” and 16 x 24” Bath Mat, Machine Washable (Curved 3pc Set, Maroon-Red) Pauwer 3 Piece Bath Rug Set Pattern Bathroom Rug 28.4

Cover Those Tiles With A Red Carpet

Not only might your favorite dementia patient literally be ‘walking the red carpet,’ but the right bathroom rug will also shield against trips and falls. Just make sure the red bathroom rug you select has a non-slip backing.

Note: When I was caring for Mom and ‘Mom-proofing’ the house, Hospice workers told me not to get shag carpeting for the bathroom. The elderly can more easily trip over this type of rug as their toes may catch them with their shuffling feet.

Ottomanson Luxury Collection Solid Runner Rug with Non-Slip/Rubber-Backing Bath Rug, 20 Garland Rug 2-Piece Traditional Nylon Washable Bathroom Rug Set, Chili Pepper Red Gorilla Grip Original Luxury Chenille Bathroom Rug Mat, 30×20, Extra Soft and Absorbent Shaggy Rugs, Machine Wash Dry, Perfect Plush Carpet Mats for Tub, Shower, and Bath Room, Red Eanpet Chenille Bath Mat Non-Slip Microfiber Floor Mat Baby Bath Mat for Kids Ultra Soft Washable Bathroom Dry Fast Water Absorbent Shower Mat Area Rugs (16 MAYSHINE Memory Foam Bathroom Rugs Non-Slip Water Absorbent Fast Dry Luxury Soft Bath Mat (17×24 Inches, Red) Bathroom Rug Mat, Ultra Soft and Water Absorbent Bath Rug, Bath Carpet, Machine Wash/Dry, for Tub, Shower, and Bath Room

Red Bathroom Towels

Hand an Alzheimer’s patient a red towel and you just might find them start to use it! White towels can be confusing to your favorite elderly friend but red might be just what they need to start toweling off.

Since red towels bleed in the wash, soak them in salted water overnight to set the red dye. And, remember to only wash them with like colors, just to be safe.

Pinzon 6 Piece Blended Egyptian Cotton Bath Towel Set – Cranberry Superior 900 GSM Luxury Bathroom 6-Piece Towel Set, Made of 100% Premium Long-Staple Combed Cotton, 2 Hotel & Spa Quality Washcloths, 2 Hand Towels, and 2 Bath Towels – Red Beauty Threadz 100% Cotton 8 Piece Bath Towel Set (2 Bath, 2 Hand, 4 Washcloths) 400 GSM 12 x 12, 16 x 28, 27×54 (Burgandy) Qute Home Spa & Hotel Towels 6 Piece Towel Set, 2 Bath Towels, 2 Hand Towels, and 2 Washcloths – Burgundy Superior 900 GSM Luxury Bathroom Face Towels, Made of 100% Premium Long-Staple Combed Cotton, Set of 6 Hotel & Spa Quality Washcloths – Red, 13 Comfort Realm Soft 6 Piece Towel Set, 600 GSM 100 Percent Cotton 2 Bath Towels 2 Hand Towels 2 Face Towel (Red)

Red Bathroom Shower Mat

There might not be anything more frightening in the bathroom to an Alzheimer’s patient than a white tub. It can simply disappear to a dementia patient. And, think about the horror of having to step into, what is, to them, an abyss. I’d be reluctant to shower also.

Cover the bottom of the bathtub or shower with a red shower mat and watch the difference in your Alzheimer friend – they might not be ‘eager’ to shower but you might not get the resistance you would have with a white floor on that tub.

Extra Long Vinyl Bath Mat – Red Deluxe Non Slip Shower Bath tub Soft Foam Rug, Mildew Resistant, Antibacterial, BPA, Latex, Phthalate Free, Bathtub Mat with Drain Holes, Suction Cups- 36” x 17” – RED SlipX Solutions Extra Large Square Shower Mat Provides 65% More Coverage & Non-Slip Traction (27

Red Bathroom Shower Curtains

I kept my red shower curtain long after Mom died as I just found the thing cheery!

BH Home Mildew-Free Polyester Fabric Water Repellent Shower Curtain Liner (Red) Comfort Spaces Enya Bathroom Shower Floral Printed Cute Chic Microfiber Fabric Bath Curtains, 72 Lush Decor Maria Shower Curtain, Red