Your golden years can be the best time of your life. You’re living the life you’ve been building, and you deserve to remain in your home and keep your privacy. Yet sometimes, the home you’ve shaped for yourself can pose a threat. Let’s start with bathroom safety.
A high percentage of seniors experience imbalance issues of one kind of another. Combine that with a slippery surface in most bathrooms and you’ve got a dangerous combination. In fact, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), 80% of senior falls that occur in the home happen in the bathroom.
The keys to reducing that statistic include a number of precautionary bathroom safety measures. Here are a few we recommend:
Eliminate the root causes. Applying non-slip strips or mats in the bathtub or shower is a good start. Adding seating to the shower helps lower the center of gravity to minimize falling. Installing grab bars in the shower, next to the toilet and by the towel rack or sink are a good way to provide extra stability.- Remove catalysts. Throw rugs have a way of tripping people up or slipping on a tile floor if they don’t have the proper backing. Installing bright and well-directed lighting, especially for seniors with visual problems, can help you identify and avoid potential obstacles.
- Accessorize. A hand-held shower wand in the tub/shower makes it easier to direct water where they need it to go. A toilet seat riser (especially on toilets with low seating) not only prevents falls, it’s far more convenient for those with back or knee problems. After falls, overexertion is the second most common cause of injuries in the bathroom.
Hampton Roads Mobility is a locally-owned and operated home mobility company. We excel in providing in-home solutions to keep you happy, safe, and independent. We have a variety of products and services for every part of your beloved home, including bathroom accessories and modifications.
Call us for a free in-home consultation and let us put our expertise to work for you: 757-663-5457