The bathroom is vital to our well-being
The average person spends 30-60 minutes per day in the bathroom. Over the course of a lifetime, that amounts to several years. Whether we enjoy spending time there to relax or simply rush through our day-to-day personal care, the bathroom is essential to our welfare and a place where we want to be self-reliant.
Unfortunately, bathrooms are also where most domestic fall accidents occur, and while a common notion is that the risk only applies to elderly people, injuries are in fact sustained across all ages. Making minor additions to the bathroom early on can go a long way in staying healthy, so that your time in the bathroom continues to be on your own terms.
A place where accidents are common
Most people don’t know that falls are the second most common cause of accidental deaths and injuries world-wide, following traffic incidents. This makes fall injuries a major public health problem, with vast effects on society as well as the individual.
The oldest people are at most risk and both the incidence of falls and severity of complications increase significantly from the age of 60. Fall injuries can be difficult to recover from, and sometimes set off a negative spiral of diminished health that is never recovered from.
The good news is that many falls can be avoided. Securing the home and especially the bathroom is a great starting point and an easy measure to take.
This is where NextGen HME comes in. Their high quality & durable bathroom safety items by Etac, Drive Medical, and other companies make it safer and more enjoyable for your bathroom visits.
Preventative Solutions
Small additions can make a big difference
Our Preventive Solution offers a first and easy step to increase safety for someone who is healthy and active. This person usually recovers well from a fall accident, but can prevent it from happening by making some minor additions to the bathroom.
For this level we recommend flexible products that take up little space, blend into "normal" bathroom interiors and don’t require fixed mounting. That way it's a minimal investment in time and effort, but can be added to over time if or when further support is needed.
Recommended functions
Gripping and sitting
The best way to increase safety is by reducing the time you stand. We recommend a stool to sit on while grooming or showering. Light in weight and easy to move, it can also be used in other parts of the home.
Secondly, this person can benefit from installing one or two grab rails. A rail in the shower offers extra support when needed, and one by the toilet provides support when standing up.
Supportive Solutions
Some extra support can go a long way
The Supportive Solution is suitable for someone with the normal aches and pains of aging. While still physically functional, they are at a time in life where fall accidents are common and usually require long-term rehabilitation or lead to additional health complications that are never recovered from.
The right bathroom aids reduce the risk of accidents significantly, while also making daily routines easier and more enjoyable. This solution offers stable support for most hygiene tasks and facilitates sit-to-stand transfers.
Recommended functions
Gripping, sitting and toileting
For this person we suggest placing several grab rails in useful positions. We have also included a fixed, but foldable shower seat that is always in place when needed, without taking up space when it's not.
A raised toilet seat is recommended to make daily transfers easier. By using a seat with brackets, mounting and dismounting can be done in a matter of minutes which also allows for use in other locations. An additional stool can be beneficial if needed by the wash basin.
Assistive Solutions
Promoting self-reliant hygiene routines
Our Assistive Solution can help someone with reduced mobility to maintain independence. This person has the highest risk for fall accidents and might already struggle with daily hygiene routines. Extra support can help to continue self-reliant bathroom visits without the need for personal assistance.
At this level bathroom safety starts in the bedroom, and night-time toileting is important to address. Products with contrasting colors can also be beneficial as they improve visual recognition.
Recommended functions
Gripping, sitting and daytime & night-time toileting
For this solution we recommend grab bars and a shower seat in grey to provide more contrast. We have included arm supports for both toileting and showering, as they are hugely helpful in facilitating sit-to-stand transfers. A soft seat for the toilet adds both comfort and color contrast.
Last but not least, this solution includes a bedroom commode for night-time toileting. Easy to move, this can also be used as an extra seat in the bathroom.
More Information
Prevalence of bathroom accidentsImproving safety in the bathroom
On a positive note, fall accidents can also be relatively easy to prevent and taking some precautionary measures can make a big difference to keeping safe. By assessing general functionality as well as adjusting specific areas of the room, safety can be immensely improved. Learn how to better secure the bathroom by reading our extensive list of tips below.
General tips for improving bathroom safety
- Here are our professional tips on how to be as safe as possible when using your bathroom.
- Good lighting day and night is key for safety.
- The best way to prevent falls is by reducing the time you stand. Make sure you have a stool or seating of some sort.
- Use furnishings made for wet environments which provide grip, have drainage etc - not regular furniture.
- Avoid cluttering, carpets or loose items on the floor to minimize the risk of stumbling.
- If possible, adjust narrow doors or high thresholds to improve accessibility into the bathroom.
- A warmer bathroom makes us relax and move easier – keep the temperature comfortable.
- Place toiletries to avoid unnecessary reaching or bending down.
- Bare feet are sensitive. Use a pair of sensible slippers or indoor shoes.
- If you use a walking aid, make sure to keep it close. A cain or crutch should lean against a support so it doesn’t fall to the floor.
- Furnishings of contrasting colour can improve visibility and help compensate for poor lighting or impaired vision.
- Bring your mobile phone into the bathroom. That way you can get help quicker if you need it.
