At a certain point in all of our lives bathing can go from a pleasant routing to a dangerous, embarrassing hassle. It is hard enough to accept assistance in most areas of life, but in the bathroom it is especially difficult. The fact remains that the bathroom is a very dangerous place and should be a concern for older adults and their loved ones. According 2003 data, more than 15,000 Americans 65 and older died as a result of unintentional injuries in the home. 70 percent of all accidents occurring in the home happen in the bathroom -- which equals nearly 200,000 accidents each year. The most common serious injury from falling is a hip fracture. More than 24 percent of all people suffering a hip fracture die within a year of falling, and another 50 percent never return to their prior level of mobility and independence.
The good news is that in recent years many accessible home products have come to the marketplace. Researchers have been conducting studies on how elderly participants normally get into and out of a bathtub or shower. That research has further educated us on how to make our bathrooms more safe and accessible to the elderly. You don’t have to completely remodel your bathroom to make it safer. With a few tips and simple bathroom modifications, you can maximize your independence.
The first and easiest step is to remove tripping hazards such as throw rugs and any clutter such as shelving, plants, baskets, Etc. Next, make sure the bottom surface of your bathtub or shower has a slip resistant surface or bathmat. If you have a tile or linoleum floor, you should also have a nonskid rug (preferably taped down with double sided tape) over the floor. Sliding glass shower doors should be removed and replaced with a shower curtain. The next steps involve slight modifications to the bathroom, but can be done with minimal expense. ADA
By Russell Knox
American Bath Conversions
Tulsa, Oklahoma
918-289-6628
