The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: elderly injuries

By Kerry Knight

Happy New Year (Photo credit: James Marvin Phelps)

This is the time of year where most people are making New Years resolutions. Where we try and get back on track and do something they think is important to them personally.

In speaking to my mother about New Year resolutions, I was somewhat surprised at her one great hope for 2014. It wasn't money, possessions, recognition, losing weight, or any other typical response. It also wasn't some grandiose wish of world peace or a cure for cancer. It was simple, yet poignant. "I want to be able to enjoy my family with the little time I have remaining."

Photo Credit: tubking.com

You see, mom is in her 80s, with many of the same complications that come with aging. She has fallen more times than I can remember, due to vertigo, weak knees, and onset dementia. She is afraid to try and bathe herself for fear of falling again. She is terrified of finding herself lying on the bathroom floor with none of her love ones around. She refuses to come and live with any of her children. She is adamant about not wanting to be a bother. She is also resistant when discussing assisted living and being attended to by strangers. "I don't want a stranger touching me, especially bathing me!" She so wants to be independent, but that seems to be an impossible dream under the circumstances. Or is it?

One evening while watching late night television she saw a commercial advertising the new Walk-in Tub. She told me about it the next day, and so I went online to learn about it. This seemed like the perfect solution. She could maintain her independence, bathing herself. She would be able to open the door of the tub, sit down, latch the door and control everything from the sitting position. The low entryway meant she could get into and out of the tub with no fear of falling due to the slip resistant seat and floor of the tub. The grab bar on the inside was a big help along with being able to sit while bathing. Standing for any length of time is a problem for her. The shower with the hand held shower wane, the drain release, the faucet handles and all the controls were within easy reach. She could even get hydrotherapy and whirlpool to help with her many medical conditions. The warm, bubbling and swirling water could really help with her aching muscles and joints. The entire tub is compact and water tight due to the door and seal. I was getting excited now. The Walk-in Tub could take the place of her old tub and it was perfectly safe.

The children have decided that this was a small price to pay for making Mom's New Year's wish come true. Now, with the years she has remaining, she can enjoy her children and grandchildren. And we can have the peace of mind that Mom is safe and has renewed self esteem in being able to care for herself in the bath. It's great being able to repay Mom for all the years she has taken care of us.

In this article, I have shared with you my personal story of making my mothers wish come true. The wish for greater independence, freedom from the fear of falling in the bathroom and being able to enjoy her children more without being a burden to them. If you found this article useful or enjoyable, please pass it on to your friends and neighbors. If you have a comment leave it in the comment section below. If you have a question feel free to contact me at the number or email address listed below. Happy New Year to you and yours!

Until next time, stay stress free.

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 three 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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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)

By Kerry Knight

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.

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:

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.

One Solution is a Walk In Tub

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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Mom's Wish for the New Year

Falls are the Leading Cause of Injuries & Accidental Death Among the Elderly

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