Most people don’t necessarily think of the bathroom as a
hazardous area in their home. But did you know that almost 200,000 Americans
are treated in emergency rooms for bathroom-related injuries annually?
According to the National Institute on Aging, more than one in three seniors
over age 65 falls each year and 80% of these falls occur in the bathroom. Many
of these falls can result in head trauma or broken bones that can lead to a
lack of mobility and independence for seniors. They are more vulnerable to
these falls due to lack of agility and balance issues. Seniors also have a 25%
chance of dying if they fall and break a hip.
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| Image courtesy of mykatsu.com |
Bathrooms are notoriously dangerous. Most bathrooms are
tiled and become slippery when wet. Towel racks that are not sufficiently
secured can fall when grabbed. Sliding shower doors that are not secure can move
if used to support oneself. Toilets that are low can be difficult to get up
from and cause one to lose balance. All
of these are potential hazards, especially for the elderly.
Stepping in and out of a bathtub or shower may not seem like
a difficult feat, but it can be a more dangerous task if one is weak or frail.
It is all too easy to step in or out of the shower or tub without realizing the
floor is wet, thus causing a potentially serious accident. Most bathtubs and
showers don’t have handles to hold onto if one loses their balance. Neither do
they have non-slip adhesive strips which can prevent accidental falls. Older
showers don’t have a handheld shower head either, which requires one to stand
in a fixed place for the duration. Elderly people often have a difficult time
standing for longer periods of time. A remedy to that may be to purchase a
shower chair. A good shower chair has rubber tips on the legs to prevent
slipping, but if it’s not secured there is potential for an accident. As you
can see, bathtubs and showers are designed primarily for functionality and aesthetics,
not for safety. As a result, their
design hasn’t changed significantly through the years.
Safety showers were created to reduce the risk of bathroom-related
injuries for seniors. This allows
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| Image courtesy of TubKing.com |
Safety showers and tubs are specifically designed for
seniors or people with limited mobility. They have features that address every need,
whether one is in a wheelchair and wants the ability to bathe privately and
safely, or just for someone who has difficulty getting in and out of a
traditional tub or shower. When the goal is safety and accident prevention,
these showers address those goals.
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| Image courtesy of TubKing.com |
The key feature in safety showers is the easy walk-in
ability. They offer zero and low threshold options which allow the ease of
walking (or rolling) into the shower with little need to maneuver or
climb.
With a low or zero threshold shower, there is little to no difference between
the level of the floor of the bathroom and the shower. This is immensely helpful
for one who may be weak, have issues with balance or is in a wheelchair. Zero
threshold showers are on floor level and are designed for the wheelchair bound.
Low threshold showers have a slight climb of typically three to four inches.
Another feature of a well-designed safety shower is a built-in
seat which is a much safer option than a traditional shower chair which can
slip or move causing a person to lose their balance. They are molded into the
shower at a height that is comfortable and safe to sit without being too
low. This enables one to sit without
having to strain or lose their balance.
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| Image courtesy of TubKing.com |
Grab bars are placed to provide stability if one needs help
to get up and out of the shower. They are securely built into the shower so
there is no fear of movement. A
well-designed safety shower will also have a handheld shower head for ease and
flexibility. It should be easy to grab and be at a length where one can sit in
a built in chair and shower easily. This feature allows one who has a difficult
time standing for longer periods of time to bathe while sitting.
A non-slip surface is essential in any safety shower. These
non-stick aids can be decals or rubber strips. They can be added to a shower or
tub or built into the surface. They are another added protection against falls
and accidents, all of which are designed into every safety shower or tub.
We want to protect ourselves and our loved ones from danger,
especially those in their golden years. We all want to live independently while
living our lives with dignity. There are many ways to protect ourselves and our
loved ones even if it involves the simple things that we often take for
granted.
Fill Out the form below to receive our Walk-In Bathtub Buyer's Guide.
Since many senior citizens have accidents in the bathroom and may have
difficulty bathing on their own, is it worth it to make the investment in a
safety shower or tub that will give them the independence and safety needed to
allow them to lead the lives they should in their golden years?
In this article, we have addressed many of the hazards and
accidents in the bathroom that can happen as well as ways some of these can be
ameliorated. The safety Suite shower has its place in the solution, especially
for the elderly or disabled. It was a creation that needed to happen.
Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and my brother, Alan, who heads up Tub King, will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.
Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. He has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. His companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. To contact Tub King directly, call (800)843-4231 or email alan@tubking.com.
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