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| an elderly woman exiting or entering a bath tub while grasping the back support of the in-tub seat as she was simultaneously using a walking cane for added stability (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Falling is the second leading cause of accidental death, worldwide, but it is the number one cause of death and injury among our senior population. With the elderly, even falling from a standing position to the ground may cause serious injury.
Chances of Falling are High
New
findings, just out, suggest that the very fear of falling increases the
probability of
future falls among seniors. Most medical and gerontology professionals now believe that a constant fear of falling can damage one's peace of mind just as much as falling itself.
future falls among seniors. Most medical and gerontology professionals now believe that a constant fear of falling can damage one's peace of mind just as much as falling itself.
With
decreased mobility and the likelihood of using multiple prescription
medications, it's no wonder that seniors live in fear of falling.
One of the
common areas in the home that is a likely spot for falls is the bathroom. There are several reasons why:
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| Event Medical Sevices R240YMD . Wembley . 29th-May-2010 (Photo credit: AndrewHA's) |
- Many tile floors are slippery, especially if wet
- Most baths are small and crowded with furnishings
- Getting up and down on the toilet can be a challenge
- Entering the bathtub by stepping over the rim (many time a 12 inch step)
- Falls inside the tub due to slippery floors , walls and shower curtains.
- Possibility of losing balance because of standing.
What makes matters worse is that if there is a fall, there is the danger of a more serious injury with the hard, rigid fixtures such as the sink and tub, not to mention the hard floor, should it be ceramic tile.
The elderly
also fear that once they fall they may not be able to get up and call for help,
especially if the fall renders them unconscious.
Fortunately,
there are some solutions. One is the
Walk In Tub. Walk In Tubs
are designed to help prevent falling in
the bathtub. It offers an easy access
door, a low threshold of entry, and a built in seat. Once inside you can close the door and lock
it with a sealing mechanism that makes it water tight. The tub is then filled with warm water to
your comfort level. The tub also comes
with an interior grab bar to help in getting up and down. The hand held shower
sprayer is right at your finger tips for washing your hair or simply rinsing
off.
You can also add hydrotherapy and whirlpool
jets to the tub as an option for water therapy.
An inline heater with the whirlpool keeps the water warm, so it doesn't
cool as quickly.
The tub
empties quickly and easily and you exit at the door as you entered.
No more fear
of falling. Just a nice, relaxing bath.
Falling will
always be a problem for the elderly, but at least some things are being done to
create a safer environment in the bath.
In this article, I have discussed the risks and probability of being injured or worse from a fall as an elder. Falls account for a large number of injuries and death in the elder population. One way Baby Boomers are reducing the chances of falls is by installing and using Walk In bathtubs. Walk in tubs provide many benefits including increased safety, convenience, hydrotherapy and especially the feeling of restored dignity and peace of mind. If you found this article to be useful please pass it on to your friends. If you have a comment leave it in the box below. It has been my pleasure shareing this information with you. Thanks again for sharing this journey together. Until next time keep smiling.
Alan & Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc and Senior Bathtub.com in Jacksonville Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products they are also award winners, winning the best of Jacksonville Chamber Award 3 years running. If you would like to contact them call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231 or email them at alan@tubking.com.
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They say that the bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house. Especially when it comes to the elderly, there are many ways to provide added safety and comfort in the bathroom, with the addition of such things as grab bars and walk-in tubs. Don't wait until they have a slip and fall to safety features.
ReplyDeleteHaving elderly parents means being concerned with their safety on a regular basis. This blog offered some much appreciated food for thought.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas. Thanks for bring this to the public's attention. Safety for elderly parents are on the minds of a lot of people. You provide some great simple solutions that could ease the minds of many who are concerned.
ReplyDeleteGood information for protecting your loved ones.
ReplyDelete