Bathroom Safety Equipment Every Senior Should Have

Every year thousands of seniors are injured by a slip and fall inside there bathroom, in fact according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA) more than one in three seniors over the age of 65 fall each year, and the National Institute on Aging  says 80 percent of these falls occur inside the bathroom. I’ll will give you a minute to take that in, the sad part is that many of these falls could have been avoided by using proper bathroom safety equipment.

The Next time your in the bathroom take a moment to look around and you will quickly realize just how dangerous it is. The average bathroom has slippery tile floors installed, dangerous pointed corners, and tight spaces you combine this with water and you have a recipe for disaster, especially for seniors who suffer with balance and mobility issues.

• Slippery Tile Floors
• Pointed Corners
• Tight Spaces

The good news is that many medical equipment manufacturers have worked to engineer bathroom safety equipment that will substantial lower you or your loved ones risk of falling and injuring themselves inside the bathroom.

5 Essential Pieces of Bathroom Safety Equipment That Should Be In Every Seniors Bathroom 

While every seniors bathroom may be different, some may have more fall risks then others. These 5 pieces of bathroom safety equipment are a cost effective way to greatly reduce you or your loved ones risk of falling inside your bathroom. This list includes

• Grab bars
• Raised Toilet Seat
• Tub Rails
• Anti-Slip Shower Mats
• Shower Chair

By installing  these low cost options you will greatly increase your peace of mind, lower your risk of falling, and save thousands of dollars compared to expensive bathroom modifications. Keep reading below to learn more about the benefits of using these bathroom safety products.

Grab Bars

What is a Grab Bar

A grab bar is a piece of medical equipment usually made of steel or aluminum that can be installed in your bathroom to give you extra aid in standing or sitting. Many grab bars are installed by screwing them directly into a stud behind your wall but there are also drill less, and suction cup grab bars available.

Where Should Grab Bars be Installed

The size of your bathroom will determine the number of grab bars that should be installed but for starters  you should have at least two grab bars installed in your bathroom one next to your toilet, and the other grab bar installed inside of your shower. A grab bar next to your toilet will help you safely get up from the toilet, while the grab bar inside of your shower will give you stability while standing.

Raised Toilet Seat

What Is a Raised Toilet Seat?

A raised toilet seat is a piece of bathroom safety equipment that attaches to your existing toilet giving it added height. By increasing the height of your toilet you greatly reduce the distance you have to travel when sitting or getting off of the toilet. Most raised toilet seats are made of composite plastic, and feature side bars. By using a raised toilet seat you greatly reduce the risk of falling off the toilet when trying to sit down or get up off the toilet. Raised toilet seats are designed to fit most toilets including elongated toilets.

How To Install Your Raised Toilet Seat

Bathtub Rails

What Are Bathtub Rails?

Bathtub rails are like grab bars for your bathtub. Usually made of either aluminum or composite plastic a tub rail attaches to your bathtub and helps you get safely in and out of your bathtub. Getting in and out of a bathtub can be extremely dangerous for seniors. This is because the elevated height of a bathtub makes it extremely difficult and dangerous to get in and out of them. A tub rail will help increase your peace of mind and help reduce your risk of falling by giving you something to hold on to while you get in and out of the bath tub.

How To Install a Bathtub Rail

Anti-Slip Shower Mats

Anti Slip shower mats are designed to reduce your risk of falling inside your bathroom or shower. They work by sticking to your shower or bathtub floor by suction so they will not slide or move. When your looking to purchase an anti slip shower mat make sure that it is hypoallergenic and is not made of Latex or PVC, in addition you want your mat to be durable, and nonporous so that you do not have to worry about mildew growth or staining. I recommend placing a mat both inside your shower and directly outside the shower where you are most likely to fall and need added traction. Shower mats are a vital piece of bathroom safety equipment that every senior should have inside there bathroom.

Shower Chair

Let’s face it as you age daily task’s become harder and harder. One of these task’s is taking a shower, this is especially true for seniors that are suffering with mobility issues who are unable to stand for extended period of time. Standing up in order to take a shower can greatly increase your risk of falling. By using a shower bench or chair while you shower will give you added safety and comfort. Choosing the right shower chair for you or your loved one is important, so before you purchase a shower chair you want to keep the following in mind

• Can the chair or bench accommodate your height
• Can the chair or bench accommodate your weight
• Is it easy to assemble?
• Does it need to be installed?

These are just a few of the questions that you should ask when you go to purchase a shower chair for yourself or your loved one.

Conclusion

In this article I covered 5 essential pieces of bathroom safety equipment that every senior should have. While using these products inside your bathroom is a sure way to greatly lower your risk of falling there is always a risk of falling. The biggest way to reduce your risk of injury is to be aware of the dangers and risks inside of your bathroom, and modifying your bathroom to reduce these risks. If you have any questions please comment below and I will be happy to answer any and all of your questions.

References

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6022a1.htm

https://www.nia.nih.gov/