January is National Bath Safety Month
According to a 2011 study performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 235,000 people in the U.S. seek medical help due to bathroom-related injuries every year, and the likelihood of being involved in such an incident more than doubles for those 65-and-older.
Here's a New Year's resolution we're going to add to our list, and hope that you do as well: visit your older loved ones, spend quality time in their bathrooms, and take careful note of anything that needs to be updated or added to improve their safety.
Along with obvious additions like no-slip strips or mats in the bottom of the shower or bath and no-slip rugs or mats on slippery tile floors, consider less obvious improvements like brighter lighting fixtures with easy-to-reach switches and a ready supply of replacement bulbs as vision problems increase the risk of falls. You can also ask your loved ones if a tub or shower bench or raised toilet seat attachment would make them more comfortable. And while you're at it, check the thermostat on the water heater to reduce the risk of scalding.
Next, please consider tub, shower and toilet area grab bars to make moving up, down and around in the bathroom easier and safer. According to the CDC study results, you might be helping your entire family with such an addition:
"Injuries associated with getting into and out of the tub or shower occurred among persons of all ages, suggesting that adding grab bars both inside and outside the tub or shower might help prevent bathroom injuries to all household residents."
If you want to splurge on a really nice belated holiday gift, there are companies and contractors that will consult on and install a full bathroom remodel with the comfort and safety of older loved ones in mind. Such remodels might include elements like a walk-in tub, chair-height toilet, improved lighting fixtures, no-skid flooring, and of course — essential height and width adjustments for individuals in wheelchairs.
There's one more thing you can do to improve bathroom safety for your older loved ones: call Overture Home Care at (817) 887-9401 for a free consultation. Hands-on training in safe transfers (such as wheelchair-to-toilet) and bathing techniques are part of the new Skills Lab curriculum for all our compassionate caregivers.
LINKS:
Centers for Disease Control — 2011 Study on Bathroom Injuries (JAMA, 2011) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1151869
Centers for Disease Control — Important Facts About Falls Information Page https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html