Bath and Shower Safety for Seniors
Too often bathroom safety is not seriously considered in homes where aging adults live. Many of the younger family members may not realize its importance due to the fact that they aren't as negatively affected by a fall in the bathroom. Many of these families don't' realize the implications of a fall until its too late.Many family members of aging parents and relatives fail to understand the type of reality that seniors are faced with on a daily basis. Due to the lack of strength that they have, simple tasks like bathing and showering become extrememely dangerous. Understanding that lack of balance may be an effect of their aging, the chances of falling and injuring themselves increases. With that in mind, it is imperative that bathroom safety become a primary concern.
Senior Fall Prevention
The CDC has reported that for seniors who are 65 and older, falls are the leading cause of injury related deaths. So, even though, falling may not be something that should be taken that seriously, these facts show otherwise.
Based on the reports from the CDC men are at much greater risk of dying as the results of falls than women are. They are 49% more likely. This may be due to gender roles in the household.Due to the traditions that many of our older family members may have, Men may be expected to perform more of the dangerous tasks around the home. This could be using ladders to change bulbs or retrieving items that are out of reach. For seniors, simply falling while standing can cause serious risks, but falling while elevated can cause more substantial injuries that go beyond broken bones, brain injuries and the like.
On of the first and most important steps in preventing fall is education. But, with that being said, sometimes education isn't enough. For seniors with low vision issues, it may be hard to spot standing water in places like the kitchen for bathroom. Also, being as that older adults may have difficulty getting in and out of the bathtub, it is important to find ways to make bathing safer. Installing walk in tubs for the elderly may help, though other types of structural changes may still be required.
Is Bathroom Remodeling Necessary?
Though it is easy to be concerned that doing some bathroom shower remodeling is an unnecessary expense, it may end up costing more by doing nothing at all. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued another report that showed the average cost of healthcare related to a fall was in the range of $19,000. This estimate considered cost factors of hospital visits, home care , ER visits and nursing homes. But, any additional doctors services costs were not considered.
There are things you can do to make the home safer outside of wholesale renovation. You can start by covering slippery surfaces with rugs. Just make sure the rugs have non-slip backing and are taped down. Handles are a great addition, but they also need to be non-slip. Placing handles around the bathtub and toilet can help an older adult stand up more easily, which can provide more privacy and independence. Having a chair in the shower can help provide relief to older adults who cannot stand for long periods of time, but these too, need to be slip proof.
As they age, they may notice problems with standing up from being seated, this is where they may benefit from some type of exercise regimen. Whether its physical therapy, going to the gym or taking a Tai Chi class, regular exercise is always a good idea.
As this article has stated, falling is a major risks to older adults, but concerned family members can take action. Try improving lighting in the home and hallways, removing trip hazards like cords and rugs, consider installing safety railing as well.
At Connecticut Live-Ins we understand that everyone's in-home care needs are unique; which is why we offer a wide variety of Home Health Care services in Greenwich and senior care specialists to assist you. Our Client Coordinator will meet with you to discuss your senior home care requirements and goals, so we can custom tailor a program that best addresses your personal situation and matches you or your family with the proper in-home caregiver.