Each year, more than 200,000 Australians and 60, 000 New Zealanders are hospitalized due to falls. This number is set to increase further because of higher life expectancy figures among Australians. This is a peculiar phenomenon because as more Australians cross 75 and 80, their lives are going to be disrupted by falls.
This article talks about a few tips on how to avoid falls and injuries by the elderly in the bathrooms.
Bathroom Handles-
You can secure your elderly in your bathrooms by installing bars or handles on either side of the toilet. This little innovation can help them to get up or get down without slipping. It would be even better to have handles that have ridged or rough surfaces for a better grip. Make sure that the handles are neither too low nor too high.
Since any bathroom has a moist environment, your handles are not going to have a long life. To avoid this, consider having chromium-plated handles. This surface will protect your handles from moisture and chemicals.
Unique Socks-
These days, many healthcare providers and clinics provide ridged socks. What these socks do is give a sure footing to the elderly. Though the material of these socks is linen or wool, its outer and inner surfaces are lined by ridges. Just in case if the socks get twisted while wearing, they will still give the right support to the elderly. Considering buying one of these socks for your elderly dependent? Maybe you would like to visit website that offers a range of elderly-friendly socks and other dress material.
Over Toilet Aids-
These aids help your elderly in lowering down on the toilet seat. These aids are placed high above the toilet seat and can be gripped by the patient while lowering himself down. Over toilet, aids are used by persons who have just recovered from hip replacement surgery.
Showering Rails-
These rails help the elderly step out of the shower area safely and without tripping. Shower rails can be installed within easy reach of your dependents. They can be made of moisture-resistant material and coated with chromium.
Fall Alarms-
This device doesn’t actually prevent falls but cautions the caregiver about any fall. It can be worn by the elderly in the hip pocket. This alarm works with a battery and has an LED bulb. Upon falling, the alarm will go off, warning the caregivers.
Floor Mats-
This is the simplest solution to mitigate any falls in the bathroom. You can have ridged mats in the bathroom area that will help your elderly walk around. These mats are widely available, are light and incredibly inexpensive.
Shower Chairs and Stools-
These accessories are a great help to all those who are unable to stand in the bathroom for even a minute. You can place these chairs and stools right below the shower so that your elderly don’t have to walk at all. Shower stools and chairs come in moisture-resistant materials.
Tap Turners-
Quite often, the wrists of the elderly become too weak in their 70s and 80s. They find it extremely difficult to turn on or off the taps. Tap turners are 2-inch long levers fixed to the tap. By pushing these turners, either way, your elderly won’t have to strain his wrist.
Bath Boards-
Stepping inside and out of a bathtub can be extremely dangerous for your elderly. Make things easy for them by placing bath boards across the edge of the tub. To enter the tub, he swivels his leg and to get out; he repeats this act.
A bath board is an elementary device for bathroom safety.
