The bathroom is notoriously known for being the most dangerous room in the home. Perhaps, that should come as no surprise since it contains the home’s most slippery surfaces. Slipping and falling, it should be noted, is no small matter. And this is especially true for seniors. As the Government of Canada informs us, falls are the leading cause of injuries among Canadians 65 years and over.
“Between 20% and 30% of community-dwelling Canadian seniors experience one fall each year,” their Canada.ca website reads, “Research suggests that falls are the direct cause of 95% of all hip fractures, leading to death in 20% of cases.” It goes on to reveal that falls account for 85% of seniors’ injury-related hospitalizations, making them the leading cause of injury-related admissions for Canadian seniors.
Where do most slips and falls in the home take place?
“The bathroom and stairs are particularly hazardous due to the risk of slipping, tripping and stumbling,” says Canada.ca. So, evidently, there is a lot more we can all be doing to ensure that slips and falls are minimized or avoided in our bathrooms. If you live with your elderly loved ones, there are a number of important precautions you should be taking.
How can you make your bathroom a safer place for your elderly loved ones?
Well, let’s first address the flooring. To avoid slips and falls, it’s obviously quite important to take away the slippery factor. Placing non-skid mats on the floor is definitely a good start. Non-slip mats should also be placed in the bathtub which, as you can imagine, is the most slippery surface in the bathroom. Naturally, running water makes it all the more slippery. The mats will help for your elderly loved ones to be a lot sturdier on their feet when they’re taking showers.
“To make bathing safer, purchase a rubber suction-grip mat, or put down adhesive nonskid tape on the tub/shower floor,” recommends Jim T. Miller of The Huffington Post, “And have a carpenter install grab bars in and around the tub/shower for support.” He goes on to highlight the importance of good lighting to help improve visibility in the bathroom. Seeing where you’re going and what’s in front of you is a vital part of staying on your feet.
How can LifeCare Mobility Solutions help you to make your bathroom safer?
We offer a wide variety of home bathroom modifications available which include, but are not limited to easy-use fixtures, night lights, transfer benches, walk-in tubs, roll-in shows, bath lift chairs, raised support toilet seats, widened doorways, shower chairs and grab bars. Grab bars are particularly helpful with preventing falls and improving mobility near toilets and in showers.
Let’s work together on making the bathrooms in your home much safer for your elderly loved ones. If you have any questions about the home bathroom modifications offered by LifeCare Mobility Solutions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 647-350-4488 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
