Independence:

By installing grab bars, older individuals can maintain their independence and perform daily bathing activities with confidence. The bars offer support and allow them to steady themselves without relying on assistance from others.

 

Accessibility:

Grab bars enhance the accessibility of the shower, especially for individuals with mobility issues or disabilities. They provide a point of leverage, making it easier to enter and exit the shower, maneuver within the space, and transfer to and from shower seats or benches.

 

Long-term planning:

Installing grab bars proactively is a wise step in long-term planning. Even if an older individual currently does not require assistance, having grab bars in place can help prevent accidents in the future as their needs and abilities may change.Making sure you or your loved one's home is safe for everyday life is key to being able to maintain a healthy, quality life at home.  Falling in the shower can be physically devastating.  Medications, vision impairment and general weakness along with environmental factors put seniors in danger of seriously injuring themselves in a fall.  Having assist bars in place  will provide a level of safety and security so that you or your loved one can remain at home and feel at peace.

FACTS REGARDING FALLS*

• Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall.

• According to the National Council on Aging, one in four Americans over he age of 65 falls each year.

• In 2014, older Americans experienced 29 million falls, resulting in 7 million injuries.

• Every 19 minutes an older adult dies from a fall.

• More than 300,00 people are hospitalized each year from broken hips and 95 percent of these fractures are the result of a fall.

• Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury among older adults and the most frequent reason for non-fatal trauma as well.

• Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries for people in every stage of life and result in 800,000 total hospitalizations in America each year.

• Falls result in more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths.

 

*Source - Aging.com