It’s estimated that 1 in 4 people over 65 falls each year and 80% of these falls occur in the bathroom. A lot of these falls can be avoided and if you plan accordingly you can seriously reduce the chance of this happening. Here are some tips to minimise the risks:
- Remove or secure rugs as they’re trip hazards if not secured correctly.
- Use non-slip mats in baths and showers as hazards increase with wet feet.
- Install grab rails at the toilet, shower and bath. They’re the most effective way of making the bathroom safer and are inexpensive.
- Use a bench or bath-lift to make getting in and out of baths safer. This is where most falls occur, resulting from wet surfaces and different levels from the base of the bath to floor.
- Remove clutter and store toiletries in one place. The less rummaging and going from A to B the better.
- Consider a toilet surround or raised toilet seat, making getting up and down form low bases easier.
- Install a walk-in shower instead of a bathtub. There are grants for converting bathrooms to safer wet rooms.
- Night lights can help keep you safe when going to the bathroom at night as many falls occur due to insufficient lighting. LED lights are safe and inexpensive to run.
A review of your bathroom’s potential hazards helps in removing/reducing the many avoidable falls that often occur for the elderly, often resulting in hospitalisation and worse.
