WATCH YOUR STEPS WHILE WASHING UP

Falls are a leading cause of hospitalization in the elderly. So, now is the time to take a look around your home or your parents' home and take steps to limit the danger of falls, beginning with the most slippery room of all – the bathroom. It will help to relieve demand on hospitals during the pandemic, as well as safeguard yourself or your loved ones from the often fatal consequences of a fall.

How Falls Affect the Elderly

As you get older, you're more likely to fall. Many factors contribute to this, including age-related deficits in balance, vision, strength, and cognitive function. As you become older, you're more likely to have health problems and take drugs, some of which can increase your risk of falling whether it is your home or work injury.

Falls accounted for 75% of all hospitalizations in adults aged 65 and more in 2016-17. The head, hip, and thigh were all injured among the 125,000 older persons who were admitted to the hospital after falling.

A serious fall can have long-term physical and psychological ramifications. It is frequently related to increased reliance on others and a lower quality of life. And if you've already fallen, you're more likely to fall again.

There are several things you may do to avoid slip and fall accidents:

1. Install Non-Slip Surfaces

Slippery surfaces cause a large number of falls. It is recommended that you install non-slip surfaces on the floor of your bathroom to prevent slips. Non-slip decals should also be added on bathroom tiles, which, when wet, can be just as perilous as the tub. Remove any carpets or mats that could cause a tripping hazard.

2. Maintain a clean and dry bathroom

When taking a bath or using the bathroom, one must guarantee that the bathroom is left nice and dry. You can keep the bathroom dry by wiping away all the water using a wiper. You can also install a shower curtain to prevent water from entering the toilet or basin. Use rugs to soak up the water.

3. Enhance Userfriendliness

Keeping frequently used items within easy reach in the restroom, where the risk of slipping or falling is enhanced. This is especially important in the shower/bath. Make sure that towels, shampoo, conditioner, and other items are easily accessible.

4. Install Handrails Or Grab Bars

Keeping your equilibrium as you get older can be difficult, especially in locations where you have to lift yourself or that are frequently wet and slippery. Install grab bars or rails in or around the shower, bathtub, and toilet to provide you and others with something stable to hang onto. Grab bars and rails are available in a wide range of lengths, textures, and styles, so you should have no trouble selecting one that fits your bathroom. It is crucial to remember, however, that a towel bar or soap dish is not a viable solution and will not support your weight.

5. Remove any impediments.

Washroom security can be increased by removing items that are easily tripped over. The most dangerous hazard for the elderly is tripping over the side of their bath.

6. Raise the toilet seat

Is the seat on your toilet too low? You might not realize it, but a low toilet seat needs a lot of work and might even make getting up difficult. It is not suitable for those who have mobility concerns. When a low toilet seat leaks, it may wreak havoc on your entire bathroom, but this is not the case with a high toilet seat.

7. Increase Visibility

Peeing regularly at all hours of the day and night is a common issue for most elderly people. You can reduce the possibility of a fall or injury by installing night lights that illuminate the walkway from the room to the bathroom.

8. Install a hand shower or a shower with an adjustable head

With a nice hand shower or adjustable head shower, you may simply minimize and even be more cautious in the bathroom. The water flow is only in one direction and does not cover the entire bathroom.

Never rush into a bath or shower. The bathtub and shower are quite slick, and the water all over the place only makes matters worse. This, along with 'being in a hurry,' nearly guarantees that you will slip and tumble.

Guest Contributor: John Adams