Bathroom Safety – Older Adults
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the statistics for in home falls are alarming!
- Every 17 seconds an older adult is treated in a hospital for an injury related to a fall
- Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults
- More than one-third of adults 65 and older fall each year
- Greater than 20% of all falls result in hip fractures, lacerations, or head injuries
- The largest majority of falls occur in the bathroom!
How can you prevent falls in the bathroom?
Most falls are preventable. This is good news since more than 83% of aging adults are choosing to stay in their own homes. Let’s look at both products and tips from experts that are specially designed to make the bathroom a safer place.
- The Bathtub – Getting in and out of the tub/shower is a a balancing act that may be difficult for many older adults. The ultimate tub safety equipment is the installation of a walk-in tub/shower. These come with many options such as hand-held shower sprayers, heated seating, and textured floors to prevents slips and falls. If this is out of budget for you, the installation of more affordable grab bars and grab handles will assist with stability and balance. By adding affordable nonskid mats and shower chairs the risks for falls also decreases greatly.
- The Sink Area. Store towels, soaps and other bathroom necessities in easy to reach places that require no bending. All throw carpets should be removed or replaced with nonskid carpets surrounding the sink area. Also ensure that proper lighting is well maintained.
- The Toilet Area. Elderly people with knee problems might face problems while siting or lowering to the toilet. There are two types of toilet seats that you can buy. There is one plastic seat which once fitted, can be lifted by at least 5 inches. Or, you can also get the adjustable seat that can be raised to around 6 inches higher than the normal height of the seat. For ensuring safety, toilet handles or grips should surround the toilet area allowing for an older adult to stabilize oneself while standing and lowering.
General tips to decrease slips and falls
- Get regular eye exams that will ensure line of sight is not compromised,
- Exercise when possible to maintain good muscles control.
- Remove any tripping hazards such as towels, magazines or other bathroom items.
- Have medications checked to ensure they do not cause dizziness or reduce balance.
These simple bathroom modifications can mean the difference between falling and being able to maintain independence in your own home. Do not delay making modification and risk becoming a statistic. Take action now- don’t wait to be safe!
Resources
- The Center for Disease Control
- Fall Prevention Services
- Active Forever Fitness, Safety and Medical Supplies
- AARP Safety Tips
Read Related Articles: Blog, Related Topics