As people grow older, the potential for slips and falls gets greater - By: Brigette Federico

As people grow older, the potential for slips and falls gets greater, and the outcome of any fall is much more serious. Bones become brittle with age and break easily. Hips are particularly vulnerable, and a broken hip is a serious injury for any person. The bathroom is high risk because it’s full of slippery surfaces, and stepping into and out of baths and shower trays can be difficult for the less mobile. Even balancing in the tub can be extremely difficult.

There is a lot that can be done to retro-fit a bathroom to make it easier and safer for the elderly. Bolt-on shower grab rails assist balance, or just give a little extra confidence and stability. Bathroom taps and fittings can be replaced with longer-handled styles requiring less force. Weaker hands will find these much easier to turn on and off properly leaving no drips and without aggravating arthritic pain.

Bath and shower seats take the idea a step further and enable sit-down bathing. This frees up the hands without causing balance problems, and can also help less flexible bathers reach the lower legs, feet, and less immediately accessible areas. They can be fitted to many existing bath units without too much work or damage to the existing unit- some bath seats just slot right over the tub.

If the bathroom is being built from scratch or you are willing to refit some larger features, there is a lot more that can be done. Bathroom taps are just one consideration. The actual bath or shower unit can be a lot more user friendly and safe. Choosing a walk-in bath or shower unit makes getting in much easier and eliminates the off-balance moment stepping over the edge of the tub or through the shower doors. There is a whole range of major bathroom fixtures available, designed to aid independence and drastically reduce the chance of injury.

About the Author

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