Keeping Seniors Safe at Home: Bath and Shower Safety
Many of us take shower and bath safety for granted
. When we are young, it never seems to be much of an issue because our bodies respond quickly and are harder to injure from simple falls. However, as we age, it becomes apparent that even a slight fall can cause serious injuries.
Senior citizens deal with the fact that taking a shower or bath is not something that they can take for granted anymore. The bathtub/shower must be looked at in a different light due to the physical changes they may be experiencing due to old age. They may not have the same amount of strength or the same balance. Therefore, it is important for all concerned family members to make bathroom safety a priority.
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.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also reported that men have a 49% greater chance of dying from fall related injuries than women. We don't know why this fact exists exactly, it may be the result of assigned gender roles in the household putting men at more risk.Since many of our older relatives carry on older traditions in which men are expected to take on more dangerous tasks around the house (standing on ladders, changing light bulbs, reaching for items that are far out of reach, etc.), they often put themselves in a position to cause more damage. 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.
Education is one of the first steps to helping prevent falls and the injuries they cause. However, with some cases, knowledge may not be enough. In places where water is present (e.g. bathrooms, kitchens), it may be difficult to be aware of potential slip hazards, especially for older adults whose eyesight is diminishing. Another important factor to consider is that seniors may have problems getting in and out of the shower or tub. Therefore, it's important to make bathing safer. There are a variety of options on how you can do this, some require structural changes to the bathroom area.
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. In another study by the CDC, it was estimated that the average health care cost associated with the injuries of a fall was around $19,000. This estimate was calculating the cost of expenses of going to the hospital, nursing home, emergency room, and home health care . This estimate, however was not including the (additional) cost of the doctors' services.
But before you run off to call the contractor, there are thing you can do yourself to make things safer. First, you may want to remove slippery surfaces. You can add rugs in those areas, but make sure the rugs are taped down, as not to cause another hazard. Non-slip handles are also essential. Placing them around the bathtub and toilet can assist elders in standing up and moving more easily. It also helps to have a non-slip chair in the shower for adults who have problems standing for prolonged periods of time.
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.
Keeping Seniors Safe at Home: Bath and Shower Safety
By: Tiffany Lewis
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