Bathroom And Bathtub Safety For Elderly Persons

| Tuesday, August 2, 2011
By Bob Williams


Every year, approximately 10,000 people die in restrooms, according to government estimates. This makes bathroom and bathtub safety a critical area for the elderly. As many as half of those age 60 or older have some sort of difficulty in getting in and out of the shower, and falling in a small room full of hard surfaces can cause injury or even be fatal.

One of the areas to watch out for is the use of sliding glass doors for support. These types of doors aren't designed to support the weight of a person and may fail when leaned upon. Adding broken glass to a fall can make a minor slip a disaster.

Another issue is restroom rugs. Most of these rugs do not have any sort of attachment to the floors and can move easily, especially while someone is getting out of the shower. Adding some non-slip attachments to the rug bottoms helps to improve footing and result in a safer restroom.

As one ages, the installation of grab bars in the restroom can be a great aid in getting into and out of the tub. Furthermore, if there is a slip and fall then the bars can help stop the fall and prevent injury. Grab bars are not the same as towel racks which are ripped very easily out of walls.

Other little preventative measures like keeping the floor dry and making sure a nightlight is always on can make a big difference when it comes to keeping seniors safe. Electric appliances can be a hazard should they come into contact with water. Installing a ground fault circuit interrupter in the restroom outlets will protect not only seniors but anybody using the tub from an electric shock if an appliance comes into contact with water.

The littlest room in the home is sometimes the most dangerous. Everybody is in charge of bathroom and bathtub safety. Tragedy can be prevented through precautions taken today.



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