Ways to Prevent Bathroom Falls

More than 1/3 of all falls among the elderly occur in the bathroom, ranking number one on the list of places where an elderly person is most likely to experience a fall.  There are many ways to help reduce the likelihood of falls in the bathroom including products such as: non slip bath mats, grab bars, shower stools, etc. However, in order to begin solving the problem, the importance must be understood.

In 2014, the number of deaths caused by car accidents was equal to the number of fatalities caused by accidental falls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 46.8% of first falls among senior citizens are caused by some sort of environmental component like an uneven floor, slippery surface, or stray objects. This percentage falls in relation to number of falls. For example, a person’s fifth fall only has an 18.2% chance of being caused by an environmental factor. These statistics tell us that in order to reduce the overall number of falls, especially fatal ones, we must prevent the first fall from happening. More than 200,000 people are injured in bathroom accidents each year. That number is on the rise as the baby boomer generation continues to grow older. Many of these bathroom falls happen due to people using the shower door, towel rack, or curtain for assistance for entering and exiting the shower/bath area, which are not designed to support the weight of a person. With the bathroom being the most likely place to experience a fall, this would be a great place to start making efforts to reduce falls.

Two products that help reduce the number of bathroom falls are grab bars and bath mats. The shower grab bar is a great tool for those who have problems getting in and out of the tub or shower, or have trouble getting off of the toilet. It can be mounted at any angle the user desires in order to be most effective. A slip resistant bath mat uses hundreds of suction cups to provide a secure, non-slip surface to the tub/shower floor. This prevents a large number of slips and falls when entering and exiting the tub. Another way the bath mat reduces falls is by providing two built in foot scrubbers and a built in pumice stone. This eliminates the need to bend over, which could be the cause of a fall. 

It is critical that preventative measures be taken, even if one has never experienced a fall before, in order to reduce the risk of future falls and possible injuries or fatalities.

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