BATHROOM GRAB BARS – Part I : BATHROOM FALLS

Grab Bars can potentially be placed in many critical locations throughout the home, but many individuals are resistant to the concept of installing grab bars throughout their home, especially in areas other than the bathroom. When grab bars are considered, it is frequently bathroom safety that is addressed – after all the bathroom is considered one of the most dangerous places in the home in terms of fall risk. Bathroom falls can occur within the shower or tub enclosure while bathing, at the entry point to the shower or bath while entering or exiting, and next to the toilet while rising or descending. Bathroom falls can sometime occur next to the vanity or in the central portion of the bathroom, especially if that portion of the floor is tiled, and slippery when wet.
In my experience I find that there is obviously a population of seniors that are at risk for bathroom falls due to limited mobility, weakness, fatigue, diminished balance, poor vision and a host of other debilitating factors. This population group is often very aware of the importance of properly placed Bathroom Grab Bars and is often but not always very cautious and deliberate in their movements, primarily out of fear of falling. I also believe there exists another sub group within the senior population that is not mentioned in most discussions. This population consists of active, healthy seniors who are so confident in there physical abilities that they scoff at the notion of bathroom grab bars. These “invincible” seniors as I refer to them, frequently do not take any caution whilst in the shower, or while stepping in or out of the tub area, and are at risk for suffering an unexpected, devastating fall which can quickly transform their lives.
The “unexpected fall” should be a big concern to our aging population and it is one of the key focal points of Mr. Grab Bar, a unique business concept created by a Physical Therapist in 1998. Bathroom Grab Bars in a large array of finishes, styles and sizes can be observed in a well organized fashion at the Mr. Grab Bar website, and your questions regarding grab bar installation or grab bar placement can be addressed and discussed on Mr. Grab Bar’s “Grab Bar Blog”.

Mr. Grab Bar