The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: safe bathrooms

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Make Your Bathroom Safe

by Alan Knight

The bathroom, usually the smallest room in your home, is statistically the most dangerous. A 2008 study conducted by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, found that about 235,000 people over the age of 15 visited emergency rooms due to injuries that occurred in the bathroom. These injuries are not only limited to slips and falls. There’s risk of electrocution if an electrical appliance falls into water as well as the risk of poison since many chemical products are often housed in the bathroom. Don’t forget those nasty cuts from the sharp items that abound in the bathroom like razors, or even hand held mirrors that can shatter when dropped. This is beginning to sound like a hazard zone but it really doesn’t have to be. Your bathroom can and should be a safe space for people of all ages.

Children, adults and especially seniors are vulnerable and can be at risk if thoughtful precautions are not taken. You can start with the easy improvements that require little to no expense and move up to more extensive changes or upgrades if necessary. This is your family’s safety and that is always a number one priority. Let’s start with the small stuff.

POISON CONTROL

Can you believe the second leading cause of home injury death is poisoning? It leads to about 5,000 fatalities a year.

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Most people (I hope) want to make sure their bathrooms are as germ- and bacteria-free as possible. It’s not an easy task because frankly, humans harbor all kinds of bacteria and germs and we leave are mark everywhere. You possibly use bleach or possibly ammonia and other strong cleaners with chemicals to ensure you rid your bathroom of the pesky germs and odors. Did you know that if bleach or ammonia are mixed together they make a potentially deadly gas? Either one of them alone can cause burns or respiratory problems to people who are generally sensitive to chemicals. Don’t forget about drain cleaners. Many can burn skin if touched and it is essential to be very careful when using them.

If you have these items in your bathroom or anywhere else in your home (like the kitchen), it is essential to have them clearly marked. Educate your young ones on the perils of touching these chemicals. Ideally, if you have very young children, store them in a place where they can’t reach or even better, under lock and key.

DON’T BE SHOCKED!

I mean that literally. You keep your blow dryers and curling irons in the bathroom. You may have an electric toothbrush on your countertop. Any of these items can cause electrocution if they fall into a tub or a sink filled with water. Beware of damaged or frayed cords as they can be another hazard especially if they are lying on a wet countertop.

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The safety precautions are common sense though not everyone follows them. Make sure all electrical appliances are unplugged and away from any water when not in use. Don’t use these appliances near water, please. It is too easy to cause an unnecessary accident and is easily avoidable.

BE SHARP WITH YOUR RAZORS

As you know, young children love to explore. They are in awe of all of their surroundings and are fascinated by the littlest trinkets and gadgets. Some of those gadgets should not be within their reach and the razor is one of them. Simply put them in a cabinet that is out of reach and don’t leave them in the shower or tub. Keep your children cut-free.

PROTECT AGAINST THE NUMBER ONE CULPRIT- FALLS

Falls are the leading cause of home injury deaths with about 6,000 fatalities per year. Seniors are especially vulnerable. About one in three seniors who suffer a fall, will incur injuries that lead to hospitalization. There are many ways to protect against these accidents and some are fairly simple remedies.

1. Rugs can be a hazard but they don’t have to be. Throw rugs in the bathroom enhance the décor and add a little color and luxury. They can also cause you to trip or fall when they slip. Your bathroom can still be plush and safe if you purchase non-skid rugs. Double sided industrial tape placed beneath the rug will keep it safely secured to the floor.

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2. Light it up. Good lighting is essential in every bathroom. But night lights are the key to adding another safety element to that space. How many times have you woken up to use the bathroom and ended up bumping into the wall while you are half asleep? Install night lights to guide you safely into the bathroom and prevent unnecessary accidents.

3. Grab on to those grab bars. These bars may be one the most useful preventative items you can purchase for your bathroom. Install them near the toilet area to allow ease of transfer. Getting up and down onto the toilet can be especially difficult for seniors. You should not expect that toilet paper holders, towel racks or wall-mounted sinks can reasonably support one’s weight. Proper installation is the key to safety. They should not just be mounted onto the sheetrock but instead, firmly attached to a wall stud. This can be a do-it-yourself project but for those lacking skills of a carpenter, professional installation might be a good idea. I’ll discuss a little more about grab bars for the bath/shower area in the next section.

SCRUB A DUB DUB- DON’T FALL GETTING OUT OF THE TUB

That says it all. Most falls in the bathroom occur while getting in or out of the bathtub and shower. Seniors are most susceptible due to their lack of agility. There are a few precautions you can take to make the area much safer for everyone.

1. Use grab bars. As I mentioned previously, these need to be properly installed for paramount safety. Knowing there is something to hold onto while getting in and out of the tub can provide an extra level of comfort.

2. Rubber mats are all the rage. Well, that might be an exaggeration but they definitely have their place in preventing slipping in the tub or shower.

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3. Sit comfortably and safely. Shower seats and chairs should be purchased with care. Make sure they have rubber and suction feet to prevent slippage.

4. A hand held shower head makes bathing a blast. Whether you are a senior or someone who is just a bit tired after a long day, it is pretty relaxing to sit in the shower and be able to control the placement of the shower. It does provide an added layer of protection and safety.

THE ULTIMATE SCORE

The emergence of walk-in tubs and showers really is all the rage. These are amazing additions to any bathroom and will provide years of comfort and safety. Literally, you can walk right in without having to climb. They come with many additions, like built in chairs, removable shower heads and built-in grab bars. They are not only extremely functional, but quite elegant and are an upgrade that will pay off for many years to come.

In this article, I provided you with many precautionary measures you can take to make your bathroom a safer place for people of all ages and give everyone in your home more peace of mind.

If you would like a FREE copy of our eBook "The Walk-In Tub Buyers Guide", fill out the form below and we will send it to you.

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.

The Bathroom Doesn't Have to Be the Most Dangerous Room in the House

by Alan Knight

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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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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them to be independent and take care of their own needs. This independence is critical as we age. Bathing is one of the six “Activities of Daily Living” that is required to allow one to live independently. The other activities are: mobility, bathing, dressing, feeding, hygiene and toilet hygiene. Usually, if at least two of these activities are not met, a senior will need professional care which can be expensive. A safety shower can help to prevent that expense by decreasing the probability of injury in the bathroom. They provide a comfortable and safe bathing experience while giving you or a loved one more peace of mind.

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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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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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.

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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.

How Seniors Can Protect Themselves from Falling

By Kerry Knight

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While traumatic brain injuries can happen to anyone at any time, those most susceptible are the elderly. These life-altering injuries are usually the result of a fall. Every year, one in three people 65 years or older will fall. Over half of all deaths due to falling are attributable to Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Fall risks increase with the advancement of age, with 60% of falls occurring in those age 75 or older.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS):

“Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes.

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"Other symptoms of mild TBI include headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.

"A person with a moderate or severe TBI may show these same symptoms, but may also have a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, an inability to awaken from sleep, dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, and increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.”

Why Are Seniors More Prone to Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Current research suggests that the aging process is associated with several structural, chemical, and functional changes in the brain, in addition to several different neurocognitive changes. Advances in MRI technology have enabled neurologists and researchers to see the brain’s structure in great detail in an easy, non-invasive manner. The brain is very complex, composed of many different areas and types of tissue, most commonly referred to as grey matter or white matter, each of which occupy different structures or regions of the brain. The different functions of these various tissues in the brain may be more or less susceptible to age-induced changes.

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A natural result of aging sees the brain mass gradually decreasing over time. This, in turn, creates more space between the outer lining of the brain and the inner lining of the skull. Within this space are tiny blood vessels. A serious fall can tear these blood vessels, which, if injured, cause blood to seep into the brain’s cavities. This can cause serious damage to the brain and its functioning. (There is also converging evidence from cognitive neuroscientists around the world that age-induced cognitive deficits may not just be due to neuronal loss or cell death, but may also be the result of small region-specific changes to the morphology of neurons.)

Because, from a physiological standpoint, seniors’ brains are more vulnerable, a TBI can occur in an older adult who’s had even a minor bump to their head. It could happen while getting out of a car, inside one’s closet, or taking a spill on a piece of furniture. A common cause of falling is rising too quickly from a sitting or prone position.

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Many medications that older adults take, such as anti-hypertensive drugs, can have a side effect of a sudden drop in blood pressure when the person stands up too quickly. The sudden drop in pressure causes dizziness, causing the person to fall and bump his or her head on the floor or a nearby object. The unsuspecting individual or family members may initially dismiss the fall as a “close call” when there are no immediate signs or symptoms of brain injury. Family members and/or caregivers should watch for sudden changes in behavior over the following 24 to 48 hours. A change in the level of consciousness, weakness on one side, or unusual changes in one’s ability to do simple activities such as getting dressed should be evaluated immediately by a physician.

As a large number of Baby Boomers approach retirement, family members and caregivers are increasingly faced with finding ways to reduce their risk of accidents, unintentional falls, and other avoidable injuries. The first line of defense is in the home, where, according to the CDC, 60% of all falls occur.

How to Make Homes Safer

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Make sure that all stairwells and common walkways are clear of clutter.

The bathroom is one of the most slippery and dangerous places in the house when it comes to the elderly. It consists of mostly hard, unforgiving surfaces for someone to hit their head against when falling such as a countertop, sink, cabinet, toilet, side of the bathtub, towel rack and more. Installing grab bars on the walls can provide extra security. Also make certain the bath rug is securely fastened to the floor, so that it won’t slip.

Installing a Walk-in Tub can solve many problems. This specialized tub can replace the existing drop-in tub in the bathroom. It comes with a slip-resistant seat, as sanding for long periods of time can be difficult for the elderly, especially on a wet, slippery shower floor. Similarly, the floor of the Walk in Tub is also slip-resistant. Instead of having to lift one’s legs over a 12 inch height on a traditional bathtub to get into a traditional bathtub, the Walk-in Tub has a short, 6-inch threshold with its water-tight door. This door is watertight, allowing the senior to relax in comfort while bathing. Walk-in Tubs allow seniors to have privacy, independence and dignity, as most will be able to totally bathe themselves without assistance. The Walk-in Tub also comes with jetted systems that help to relax and heal the body. The hand-held shower attachment inside the tub makes rinsing easier.

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Another option other than a Walk-in Tub is the Safety Suite Shower. These can be purchased as Low-Threshold or Zero-Threshold (i.e., Barrier-Free) designs. Each model accommodates a built-in seat, which can be topped with slip-resistant acrylic surface or a Brazilian Walnut seat top. Another option is a four-legged seat made of ABS plastic. There are three different seat configurations: molded, fold-down, and four-legged seats.

The showers can be specifically configured to meet each individual’s situation. For example, in the Zero-Threshold models, the shower can be right- or left-side oriented (in terms of where the seat and hand-held water sprayer are configured). In the Zero-Threshold models, the shower can be configured on the left, center or right. Similarly, the drain can be configured to the left, center or right, so upon installation, there’s no rerouting of existing plumbing necessary. Both designs feature wall grips and handrails for added safety. Safety-designed accessories with built-in grips are also available for the bathroom paper roll, towel rack and shelf.

Photo Credit: agingcare.com

Add raised toilet seats with or without arms to increase ease of use and permit self-sufficiency. Some newer models come with handrails on both sides to facilitating sitting down and getting up.

Encourage your loved one to be careful about getting up too quickly, especially after lying down, resting or even sitting for long periods of time. A security pole can be a great help for people who have trouble standing from a sitting position. It’s portable and especially useful when there are no walls for grab bars. Walkers can be helpful here as well.

If you have concerns about your loved one falling out of bed, consider a low bed, which reduces the possibility of injuries due to its low-to-the-ground stature. Some beds even come with guards on the side, not unlike the upper bunk sleeper compartments in Pullman car trains.

Finally, as a precaution in case of a power outage, keep flashlights handy in easy-to-remember and easy-to-reach places.

Perhaps the most obvious safety precaution is to make sure your loved one is using their walker. Many seniors who are suffering from mild dementia will set their walker aside and begin to stroll around the house without it. After all, they have been walking on their own for most of their life and the walker may be a new addition to their mobility and therefore can be easily forgotten.

Another thing you can do to help your seniors' cognitive functioning is ensure they're getting adequate nutrition, in particular, eating a wide range of foods that have been found to promote brain health and functioning including blueberries, olive oil, certain types of seafood, and, of course, water.

By taking easy steps to make a home safer for the elderly, you can reduce the costs associated with healthcare-related ― or, God forbid ― emergency medical services, preserve a better quality of life, and perhaps even a life itself.

In this article, I discussed the issue of senior “confusion” and also gave a brief history/overview of Alzheimer’s disease. I then discussed various steps one can take to ensure their senior can remain safer at home, and in particular, the bathroom, such as installing a Walk-in Tub and/or a Safety Suite Shower. If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers.

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Alan and Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.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, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to alan@tubking.com.