Slips and falls occur all too often. For individuals who battle with mobility issues, the risk of slipping and falling is dramatically increased. This danger shouldn’t be overlooked. As reported by Toronto-based injury law firm, Jasmine Daya & Co., in 2017, the Canadian Institute for Health Information found there were more than 2 million reported emergency department visits in Canada.
“Of these visits, 653,808 were the result of unintentional falls,” their website reports, “This substantial figure accounts for 32% of all reported emergency department visits for injury and trauma in Canada.” So what should be done to ensure that falls don’t occur in the bathroom?
Make sure all necessities are accessible.
There are many items that are stored in the bathroom. For the most part, they are all daily necessities. We’re talking about toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash and floss. We’re also talking about toilet paper, soap, body wash, shampoo and conditioner. And let’s not forget cosmetics! Putting each and every bathroom product in an easy-to-access location will help for bathroom users to avoid bending, stretching and reaching. This helps to eliminate falls.
“Shampoos, soaps, conditioners, and other toiletry items need to be removed from high, hard-to-reach places and placed at body level,” insists BathFitter.com, “Use a simple shower caddy to organize shampoos and soaps, and create space on the lower shelves to place things like combs and brushes. You can also use simple plastic drawers that are easier to reach than high cupboards.”
Place non-slip mats on the floor.
Bathroom floors are traditionally slick. Tell you something you don’t know, right? Well, here goes. The safest way to combat slick bathroom floors is to avoid placing throw rugs or standard mats on them. It’s important that any floor covering is of the non-slip variety. As professional caregiver, Tim Brewer highlights on UpliftingMobility.com, non-slip rugs and mats will help to minimize the risk of falls on slippery wet tiles.
“Opt for a mat that has a non-slip surface,” he recommends, “For outside the tub, place non-slip rugs in front of the shower/tub, toilet and sink. These are the areas in the bathroom where seniors are most likely to fall (outside of the shower). A non-slip mat is an absolute must-have item if you are elderly.”
Install a raised toilet seat.
For many seniors and people with mobility issues, sitting down and getting up from the toilet is a tough task. It can cause aches and pains, dizziness and instability. Naturally, a loss of balance is a main reason why so many falls occur. This can be prevented with a raised toilet seat. As BathFitter.com points out, most raised toilet seats are designed to conform to standard toilet sizes so they eliminate the cost of having to install a completely new toilet.
“Depending on the particular type of disabilities a user has, you can find a model to suit your needs: basic raised, locked, with support arms, variable height adjustment, and combined with a sturdy frame,” informs the website.
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we offer a wide variety of high-quality bath safety products. They include transfer benches, grab bars, raised toilet seats and so much more! To learn more, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
