The NIH Senior Health reports that one in three people over the age of 65 experience a fall each year. Because of the non-porous, easy clean surfaces, more than 80% of these falls happen in the bathroom. The proper equipment will help to keep everyone safer. Be sure to check your loved one’s for the following:
Grab Bars. One of the simplest solutions to preventing bathroom falls is to install grab bars. Choose bars that have a grip-like surface and contrast to the color of the shower, so they are easily visible. Anchor these bars to the studs behind the wall for the best support. Have your loved one step into the tub and show you where the best place to install a safety bar is located. Adding a grab bar next to the toilet is another simple way to prevent falls.
Non-Skid Surfaces. Placing a non-skid floor mat in front of the shower and sink soaks up excess water and prevents slips. Adding a non-skid shower mat to the bathtub will prevent your loved one from sliding on the slippery tub surface when bathing. For additional safety, place non-skid adhesive strips around the sink and vanity area.
Raised Toilet Seat. Adding a raised toilet seat prevents your loved one from losing her balance and falling while trying to sit on the toilet or get up. It is also helpful for those who are losing strength.
Lighting. Many seniors lose depth perception, having brighter lighting will help your senior to judge distances better, such as stepping into the bathtub. Adding motion lights on the path to the bathroom, as well as in the bathroom, will help your loved one to see where she is walking. Having plenty of lighting will help your loved one to locate toiletry items quicker and easier as well.
Declutter. Because many older people end up needing to use a walker or cane, it is important to make sure walking paths are clean and clutter-free. It is important to keep items such as towels off the floor and out of the way as much as possible. The less items your loved one can get hooked on, the safer the home will be.
Preventing a fall from happening is ideal. However, there are times when accidents happen. Consider getting your loved one a medical alert system as an additional layer of safety. The best systems offer waterproof pendants, so they can be worn while bathing. If your loved one does fall, she can press the button and get help immediately, which may save her life.
Kulingana na ripoti ya NIH ya Afya ya Wazee, mtu mmoja kati ya watu watatu wenye umri wa miaka 65 na zaidi huanguka kila mwaka. Kwa sababu ya uso usio na madoa na rahisi kusafisha, zaidi ya 80% ya maporomoko haya hutokea katika bafu. Vifaa vinavyofaa vitasaidia kuwaweka watu wote salama zaidi. Hakikisha kuangalia wapendwa wako kwa ajili ya zifuatazo: Grab Bars. Njia rahisi ya kuzuia kuanguka kwenye bafu ni kuweka vibanda vya kukamata. Chagua bar ambazo zina uso unaofanana na wa kushikilia na tofauti na rangi ya kuoga, ili ziwe wazi. Weka vijiti hivi kwenye nguzo zilizo nyuma ya ukuta ili kupata utegemezo bora. Msaada wa kuingiza chombo chako kwenye bafu na kuonyesha mahali pazuri pa kuweka bar ya usalama. Kuongeza kijiti kando ya choo ni njia nyingine rahisi ya kuzuia kuanguka. Non-Skid nyuso. Kuweka kitambaa kisicho na kuteleza mbele ya beseni na sinki hufyonza maji mengi na kuzuia kuteleza. Kuongeza kitambaa cha kuoga kisicho na kuteleza kwenye beseni la kuoga kutazuia mpendwa wako asianguke kwenye beseni wakati wa kuoga. Kwa usalama zaidi, weka vipande vya kunata visivyoweza kuteleza kuzunguka sinki na eneo la sinki. Kiti cha choo kilichoinuliwa. Kuongeza kiti cha choo kilichoinuliwa huzuia mpendwa wako asipoteza usawa na kuanguka wakati akijaribu kukaa kwenye choo au kusimama. Pia ni muhimu kwa wale ambao wanapoteza nguvu. Taa za taa. Kwa sababu watu wazima wengi hupoteza ufahamu wa kina, kuwa na taa nyangavu zaidi itasaidia mtu mzima wako kuhukumu umbali vizuri, kama vile kuingia kwenye beseni la kuoga. Kuongeza taa za mwendo kwenye njia ya kuogea, na pia katika bafu, itamsaidia mpendwa wako kuona anakoenda. Mwanga wa kutosha utamsaidia mtu wako wa karibu kupata vitu vya usafi kwa haraka na kwa urahisi. Mfumo wa kuondoa fujo. Kwa sababu watu wengi wazee-wazee wanahitaji kutumia walker au fimbo, ni muhimu kuhakikisha kwamba njia za kutembea ni safi na zisizo na fujo. Ni muhimu kuweka vitu kama vile taulo mbali na sakafu na mbali na njia kadiri iwezekanavyo. Kadiri mtu mpendwa anavyopungua na vitu vya kupenda, ndivyo nyumba yako inavyoweza kuwa salama zaidi. Kuzuia kuanguka ni jambo la kawaida. Hata hivyo, kuna nyakati ambapo aksidenti hutukia. Fikiria kumpa mpendwa wako mfumo wa kuonya wa kitiba kama ngazi ya ziada ya usalama. Mifumo bora hutoa vitambaa visivyoweza kuingizwa maji, hivyo vinaweza kuvaliwa unapokuwa ukilala. Ikiwa mtu unayempenda ataanguka, anaweza kubonyeza kitufe na kupata msaada mara moja, jambo ambalo linaweza kumwokoa.