Feeling safe
in the house where you have lived for most of your adult life is not an unreal
expectation. Still, statistics tell us
that more accidents happen in the
home than anywhere else. Most houses are
designed for young, healthy, and taller than average individuals; little
thought is given to the other people who will live there. The
average home is filled with barriers. If
you use a wheelchair or are recovering from an illness or an operation you may
find everyday tasks quite daunting. Simple tasks like preparing a meal or taking a
bath easily become challenging.
Let’s face
it; most houses are inaccessible and not fully appropriate for a person who is
physically challenged. Look around at
your own home. The chances are pretty good that the design and layout that you
once embraced could now be sabotaging your efforts to live independently. A fall
or a series of near falls could dent your confidence to the point that you feel
like a prisoner in your own home.
No one likes
to have to ask for help from others. It is not the big things but the little
ones that will erode your self confidence. One of those “little things” is the ability to
take a bath when you want.
The most
common problem associated with bathing
is making transfers. Getting in and out
of the bath tub is the most critical part of the bathing process. Poor balance
and fear of falling certainly affects your ability to transfer safely. Awkward
tub configurations, inadequate maneuvering space and slippery floors create
insurmountable barriers.
Bathing safety is often an environmental issue. Remodeling
the bathroom should be high on the list for anyone planning on staying in their
own homes. In my years as a nurse I saw
people stuck in slippery bathtubs or injured because they fell into a bathtub
from a standing position. I saw near
misses when people grabbed shower curtains or flimsy towel holders to regain
their balance. I saw people trapped
under their sinks because they were unable to back out or get up unassisted. Bathroom accidents are not a joke and they
seldom end well.
Few bathrooms are truly awesome. I would like to see most of them gutted and
enlarged but that isn’t always a possibility.
At the very least:
·
Install
emergency devices such as telephones
or intercoms within easy reach. Wear an emergency pendent at all times to alert
monitoring individuals.
·
Better illumination. Combine poor lighting and poor vision and the
chances of tripping and slipping increase remarkably.
·
Clear Clutter. Clutter increases the odds of bumping into of
slipping on unsecured articles.
These recommendations may alert you
to a few of the most common obstacles but they are only the tip of the iceberg.
Falls and similar accidents are the major cause of disability among older
people. Don’t wait until after you fall
to think about what you could have done.
It is absolutely essential to reduce the risk of having a fall before it
happens. Remodeling your bathroom for
safety is not an extravagance it is must.
Leave a Reply