National Bath Safety Month in Scottsdale

Roughly 3 million older adults go to the emergency room each year as a result of a fall, per the CDC.

Bathrooms can be one of the most dangerous spots in your home. It is estimated that 80% of falls occur in the bathroom. This makes January, National Bath Safety Month, a great time to remind us to take extra precautions. Baths have plenty of benefits, especially for older adults, but they can be dangerous. If not properly prepared, a bathroom is a fall-waiting-to-happen. With rugs, medicine out of reach, poor lighting, and wet surfaces, it is easy to see why so many falls happen there.

Falling can lead to many injuries that can have long-lasting effects. Hip fractures and head injuries are just two of the many examples. That is why understanding what can cause falls and how to reduce those risks is vital for older adults.

What Increases the Risk of Falls?

Many things increase your risk of falling, some of which naturally occur as you age. This includes:

• Cognitive decline
• Dementia
• Balance Problems
• Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and nerve and thyroid issues.
• Foot pain
• Taking medications that cause dizziness or affect your balance. This includes antidepressants, sedatives, and blood pressure drugs.
• Muscle weakness that impacts your ability to walk, balance, and react quickly

If you do fall, try your best to stay calm. Make sure to survey the situation to best understand how you can safely get out of it. If you have a wearable device that contacts emergency services, they will be on the way. If it is a minor fall, you may be able to lift yourself using a nearby grab bar, shower chair, sink, or something else sturdy to help lift yourself. Don’t rush the process; slowly go from lying on the floor to sitting, kneeling, then standing.

How to Reduce Fall Risk in My Bathroom?

Preventing falls is vital for those of any age, but especially for seniors. This is even more prevalent in the bathroom, where falls often occur. The good news is that there are many strategies you can employ to help reduce bathroom falls and injuries.

• Increase lighting with new lightbulbs and a night light for evening trips to the bathroom.
• Bring your phone or medical alert device with you and keep it within reach in case of emergency.
• Remove rugs or mats that increase your risk of slipping and falling.
• Use a shower chair while bathing in a shower.
• Place non-slip mats on the floor and in the tub.
• Install grab bars near the shower and toilet.

Local Resources

A local business that provides grab bars and more medical equipment/bathroom help is AZ MediQuip. They, “Empower the senior community to continue their independent lifestyle by providing solutions that satisfy their needs. They are Arizona’s largest retailer of home medical equipment and supplies with retail showrooms throughout Arizona, open to the public six days per week. Their stores offer a wide range of high-quality home medical supplies and equipment. They also offer rentals, repair services, equipment delivery, and in-home installation.”

How Can a Griswold Caregiver Help?

At Griswold Home Care for Scottsdale, our team of Caregivers can assist with a variety of personal care tasks, such as bathing. If you think it may be time to start in-home care, or you’re curious to learn more, give us a call. We serve the entirety of The Valley. Our services range from respite care a few times a week, for when you need a break, to around-the-clock care. Around-the-clock care includes live-in, overnight, and 24-hour home care.

We are happy to chat with you about your care options and how our Caregivers can help you or a loved one Live Assured. We would be happy to customize our care to fit your unique needs. Reach out today to learn more.