Bathroom Fall Prevention

Research shows that falling in the bathroom is more likely to cause an injury than falling in any other room of the house. According to the National Institute of Aging, trips to and from the bathroom are especially dangerous for the elderly — with 80% of all senior falls happening while in the bathroom.

In this post, we’ll break down just how dangerous accidents in the bathroom can be for older adults and help you develop a bathroom fall prevention plan for the seniors in your life.

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Accidents in the Bathroom Explained

According to the CDC, nearly 235,000 people visit the emergency room every year because of an injury sustained in the bathroom. That same study found that the risk of both injury and hospitalization increased with age — older adults aged 65 and older had the highest injury rate of any age group. Seniors were most likely to be injured falling in the tub or shower; getting in and out of the tub or shower; or while trying to stand up from or sit down on the toilet.

Safety Aids for Bathroom Fall Prevention

81.1% of bathroom injuries were caused by falls in the bathroom and 37.3% of injuries occurred while bathing, showering, or getting out of the tub or shower. This makes installing safety aids in the bathroom the most impactful thing you can do to help older adults avoid serious injury.

Consider making the following upgrades to your senior’s bathroom:

• Install a bath step or walk-in shower to aid entering and exiting the shower.
• Mount grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of the tub or shower.
• Place non-skid mats or adhesive strips in the tub to help prevent slipping.
• Place a bath mat outside the tub or shower to prevent water from pooling on the floor.
• Use a bath chair or bench when taking a shower.
• Install a raised toilet seat with handles to aid in standing up from or sitting down on the toilet.
• If necessary, get assistance from another person for bathing or using the toilet.

Bathroom Safety Tips for Seniors

Even with the right safety gear in your bathroom, accidents can happen. Making a habit of taking extra time and care while in the bathroom can help prevent a life-changing injury. Have your seniors follow these bathroom safety tips to prevent falls in the bathroom:

• Remember to leave a light on in the bathroom at night or use a night light that turns on automatically.
• Wear shoes or socks with non-slip soles when using the bathroom.
• Store toiletries on low, easy-to-reach shelves.

Whether you need to set up a new bathroom for an elderly parent moving into your home or you’re trying to help one of the seniors in your life safely live on their own — putting extra effort into creating a senior-safe bathroom is a must.

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