AS we get older, the risk of suffering a fall increases and you may be surprised to learn that nowhere is riskier than your own bathroom.
These simple tips will help you create a safe space you can enjoy with confidence.
According to the Office of National Statistics, approximately one in three people over the age of 65 experienced a fall last year necessitating some form of medical attention. And the older we become the greater the risk becomes. Indeed, if you are in the over 75 age bracket, nearly one in two will experience a fall.
You might expect that these falls would mostly occur in unfamiliar surroundings or outside during the winter months. In fact, the vast majority happen at home. And were you aware that the bathroom is the most common and the most dangerous place to have a fall?
This is why planning now to make your bathroom a safer place is a sensible thing to do.Not only that, as we age we often start to lose body strength which can cause difficulties when taking a bath or shower. Getting into a bath may be easy but getting out can prove difficult and dangerous.
It is also important to continue to look after your personal hygiene as this is essential to maintain your health and well-being.
So, changing your bathroom to make it a safer environment as you become older makes perfect sense.
Whether you choose to shower or bathe is a matter of personal preference. The important thing is that your bathroom should be as safe as possible, and the best way to ensure this is to make your bathroom easier for you to use.
By making some changes to your bathroom, you can rediscover the pleasure of bathing.
This could include keeping the floor space free of clutter to avoid trip hazards and cleaning up puddles of water which you could slip on. Investing in an inexpensive bathroom mat with a secure nonslip rubber backing is a simple start.
And always ensuring your bathroom is well lit—a nightlight for finding your way safely during late-night visits is also a good idea.
Today, there are so many products available designed to give you the confidence to bathe safely and securely again.
Changing an old impractical bathroom for something that suits your needs exactly should not be a daunting task.
Look for a reputable builder who will take care of everything for you from design right through to installation.
Low-level access to your bath or shower, slip-resistant surfaces in the shower and on the floor, correctly positioned and fitted grab rails, comfortable folding seats, thermostatic controls for a safe and even water temperature and easy clean wall panels to make cleaning your bathroom effortless.
All of these can make a world of difference and help you to maintain your confidence when using your bathroom.
