One of the primary reasons senior citizens are forced into assisted living or nursing homes is a fear of falling or slipping and causing serious injury to themselves. As individuals age, they develop conditions that make them more prone to falling. In fact, at least one-third of all seniors experience a fall every year. Preventing falls is critical to allowing individuals to remain independent in their homes, as falls can lead to many more serious complications.
- In 2010, direct medical costs related to falls were $30 billion.
- One out of three adults ages 65 and older falls every year.
- In 2010, 2.3 million fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency rooms.
The bathroom poses the most threats
to safety—it is the primary location where falls take place because of slippery
floors and conditions such as poor balance, decreased vision, and loss of
strength. Because of this—as aging in place trends continue to grow and more
and more baby boomers age into the senior demographic—the importance of bath
safety will grow as well. After all, it’s one of the first areas of the home
that is modified, especially with items such as grab bars, to help prevent
falls and aid in sitting and standing. Making homes safe for aging seniors is
key when it comes to mobility and independent living. Therefore, a
well-equipped bathroom is an important requirement for independent seniors,
those who are recovering from certain procedures or those who live with the
assistance of a caregiver.
Types of products available for the
bathroom include: grab bars, tub rails, toilet safety rails, elevated toilet
seats, shower chairs or benches, transfer benches and bath lifts. Each product
provides a different type of assistance that addresses various user needs. The
addition of safety bars will make it easier to maneuver the space without
dangerous, and possibly life-threatening, falls. Grab bars provide extra
support through anchoring systems that can support hundreds of pounds of
pressure—some up to 500 pounds. When installing safety grab bars, it’s best to
consider locations where balance is most likely to be lost during movement.
Grab bars represent a major portion
of the home health care bathroom safety category. These products come in a
variety of materials, colors and lengths to accommodate different needs.
- Materials—Grab bars come in different metals (chrome, polished nickel, stainless steel, powder- coated steel) and are also available in heavy-duty plastic (though metal versions are sturdiest). Metal grab bars also require permanent installation because they are drilled into place. The powder-coated steel kinds are most often white and appear less institutional than other varieties. Some grab bars offer a non-slip grip feature for extra security.
- Installation—Metal grab bars are typically installed by screwing them into the mounting surface. Suction cup grab bars, usually made of plastic, offer tool-free installation, and can be used for travel as they are not permanently attached to walls and other surfaces. (These types of grab bars should be used for balance only, as they are not weight bearing.)
- Shape—Most grab bars are straight, but they can also be found in an L shape or a rotating configuration. A rotating design uses a suction cup for installation flexibility and movability.
- Lengths—Grab bars come in a variety of lengths (12, 16, 18, 24 and 32 inches) that generally suffice for home use. Some are adjustable to accommodate use in various locations.
Grab bar designs range from
utilitarian to highly stylized, which is what many baby boomers are looking
for.
·
Tub/Shower—Grab bars installed at a lower level help bathers
raise and lower them into the tub. A waist-level grab bar is good to help with
stepping in and out of the tub, as well as to hold for extra balance while
washing and shampooing in the shower.
·
Toilet—It is important to install a grab bar near the toilet for
support while sitting and standing. Some models on the market are toilet paper holders
that double as safety bars, which give a more streamlined look.
·
Towel racks—Many seniors automatically reach out for the towel
rack to balance themselves when drying off or picking up dirty clothes off the
floor. Normal towel bars aren’t designed to support that kind of weight, and
eventually they will detach from the wall and could lead to an injury. Safety
towel bars or towel shelves are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and
colors to fit bathroom spaces and to provide necessary support.
Custom finishes and other selective
offerings mean these safety products fit into the bath without standing out as
industrial features. Safety grab bars
can be both functional and beautiful. Most importantly, they will help prevent
and greatly reduce falls in the bathroom giving caregivers, family members and
user’s peace of mind.
Article
re-published from Home Care Magazine – Author - Stephanie Gibson.
