Prevent Falls and Fractures With A Safer Bathroom
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think much about bathroom safety until you or someone you know has a fall. Falls in the bathroom are actually quite common and can be serious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four seniors over the age of 65 will have at least one fall per year and over half of these falls happen in the bathroom resulting in devasting consequences, such as fractures of the foot and ankle.
There are several things you can do to make your bathroom safer and reduce the risk of falling. Today, Hamilton and Boone County podiatrist Dr. David R. Sullivan is sharing tips for preventing bathroom-related accidents and falls, especially for the elderly. Even some simple changes in your routine can make a big difference. For example, taking a shower instead of bath and using a shower or bath chair. Also known as shower stools, or shower benches, there are different options to accommodate specific needs. Read on for more tips that can help to make your bathroom safer and help prevent falls.
Tips for Making Your Bathroom Safer
Clear the clutter and organize. Keep only those items that are used on regular basis out in the bathroom and make sure that those items are easily accessible. Don’t leave wet towels on the floor.
Install grab bars. Grab bars give you something to grab onto and anchor yourself when moving in or out of the tub and on and off the toilet. They can also help you catch yourself if you feel like you might take a tumble.
Check and update lighting. Make sure that the lighting is bright enough to see what you are doing in the bathroom, but not so bright that it blinds you and causes dizziness or loss of balance. Use a night-light or motion sensor light to light up the bathroom as night.
Install a handheld shower head. Handheld shower heads allow those sitting in the tub or shower to have the experience of a shower while reducing the risk of a fall. It’s best to get a handheld shower head that you can mount anywhere in the tub/shower and has a pause switch on the handle.
Put non-slip mats on the floor and in the shower and tub. While non-slip mats help prevent falls, they can also make bath times or showering more comfortable. Make sure all bathmats say slip resistant or non-slip on the label when purchasing.
Install a taller toilet or raised toilet seat. A raised toilet seat can make it easier to transfer on or off the toilet. For additional support, add a grab bar next to the toilet.
Consider converting your bathtub into a walk-in tub. Stepping over a tub is one of the quickest ways to cause a trip and fall. There are now kits to convert your bathtub into a walk-in tub by adding a smaller door to your tub. You can also add a handheld shower head while still maintaining a fully functional bathtub.
Dr. Sullivan recommends regularly doing balancing exercises to help retain your balance and reduce your risk of falling. The Silver Sneakers health and fitness program has free videos on YouTube of exercises to improve your balance. Have something nearby that you can grab, such as a chair, if you need to while practicing these exercises. A workout buddy also goes a long way with motivation and safety!
Unfortunately, falls do happen. If you take a spill and think you have hurt your foot or ankle, follow the RICE method of rest, ice, compression and elevation and then give your podiatrist, Dr. David Sullivan, a call at Westfield Foot and Ankle LLC,. Dr. Sullivan will assess the injury and discuss the proper treatment methods with you. If your injury happens after office hours, follow the RICE method and go to your nearest emergency room. After treatment, follow up with our office.
Remember, just one fall can rob you or a loved one of independence. Schedule an appointment with Dr. David Sullivan, serving Westfield, Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers and Zionsville, Ind., to learn how taking good care of your feet and ankles can reduce the risk of a life-altering fall.
