In last week’s blog, we brought attention to the fact that November is Fall Prevention Month. And while it’s indisputable that it’s important to try to prevent falls all year long, this month is one when heightened attention is required. We suppose it makes sense considering that, for many Canadian cities, November is the month when the first snowfall of the fall/winter season hits. Naturally, icy surfaces make for serious slipping and falling hazards.
Of course, the risk of falling is not exclusive to the outdoors. As we’ve pointed out in many a past blog, bathrooms can be particularly dangerous. With the obvious presence of water and often-slick tile surfaces that adorn bathroom floors, slips and falls are practically imminent. So, as we continue to observe Fall Prevention Month, what can be done to make your bathroom a fall-proof zone?
Make toiletries and other bathroom necessities easily accessible.
Sometimes, it’s not the slippery surfaces that make bathrooms risky areas. It’s the bending and reaching for hard-to-reach toiletries and cosmetics that causes losses of balance. Be sure to put all of your most-often-used necessities within easy reach. Determine if they’re easier for you or your elderly loved one to reach if they are below the counter or above the counter in the cabinet. It’s important to make all of your showering necessities easy to reach as well.
“Ever stood on your tip-toes to reach a bottle of shampoo from the top shelf of your linen closet?” asks Erica Garland on ModernBathroom.com, “You can set yourself up for a fall. Place shampoo, soap dispensers and other commonly used items in areas that are within reach for everyone who uses them.”
Put up those grab bars.
We’d argue that grab bars top the list as the most recommended of all bathroom safety solutions. This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve suggested them and it certainly won’t be the last. By having grab bars installed in your bathroom, you guarantee each and every one of its users some sturdy leverage that will help them stay upright.
“Grab bars allow more independence and reduce the chance of falling while transitioning into or out of the tub,” writes Esther Kane on SeniorSafetyAdvice.com, “Also, if the bather does slip off the seat, a grab bar can help them keep their head above water.”
Utilize transfer benches and shower seats.
A BostonHerald.com explains, “a transfer bench can help reduce injuries that occur when trying to climb over a tub wall. Benches are placed outside of the tub and a person sits and then swings his legs over the ledge. Transfer benches also can be used in conjunction with shower seats. This is a chair or bench that allows people to sit while they shower.”
Transfer benches are just one of the many high-quality home bathroom modifications offered by LifeCare Mobility Solutions. We also offer grab bars, walk-in tubs, roll-in showers, bath lift chairs and shower chairs among other solutions that help to make your bathroom a much safer place.
If you have any questions about our home bathroom modifications, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
