Every year about 250,000 people end up in emergency rooms after falling in the bathroom, and about 14% of them are hospitalized. Younger people are more likely to fall in and around the bath tub, but seniors suffer more than half their injuries near the toilet.
Women sustain injuries more often than men, and they also have a 72% higher chance of hurting themselves. This may be due to the higher incidence of osteoporosis in women making their bones weaker and more susceptible to injury – or it may just be because men are less willing to seek treatment.
According to Judy A. Stevens, an epidemiologist with the C.D.C.: “Injuries getting on and off the toilet are quite high in people 65 and older. Having grab bars by the toilet would be helpful for people in their older years, and everyone would benefit from having grab bars both inside the tub or shower and where you get in and out.”
If you need help making the bathrooms of your loved ones safer, home care professionals can help you decide what’s needed, as well as tell you about support services to keep them safe.
9 Ways to Help Prevent Falls
- If you use an assistive device, keep it within arm’s reach at all times and USE IT!
- Remove all clutter from the floor, including cords and throw rugs.
- Tape small rugs to the floor, if you must use them.
- Use nightlights in the bedroom, hall, and bathroom.
- Install grab bars in the tub, shower, and next to the toilet.
- Use a non-slip mat or strips in the tub or shower.
- Use bath mats with no-skid bottoms.
- Wipe up spills immediately when they occur.
- Be sure stairways have plenty of light at the top and bottom.
Citing: Professional Healthcare at Home, San Francisco, CA.
Kate Dougherty, Certified Senior Advisor
kdougherty@professionalhc.com