How to Prevent Slips and Falls from Tripping Up Your Retirement
Category: Health and Wellness Issues
Editor’s note: In our recent article, “Is A Money Pit Going to Ruin Your Retirement“, we reported on that most baby boomers want to continue to live where they do now. To that end, many are undertaking home improvement projects to make their homes more livable. This guest article gives you some valuable input on where your home improvement priorities should be. Hope you find it useful.
By Michael Chotiner
When I look at the statistics for injuries related to bathroom falls—which is frequently, since I’m often asked to write about design strategies and building products that can prevent them—I’ve noticed something surprising. No, I’m not shocked by the Center for Disease Control’s report that more than 235,000 Americans aged 15 and older suffer some type of injury in the bathroom that resulted in a trip to a hospital emergency room, nor that four out of five of those ER visits result from “slip-and-fall accidents.”
What surprises me is that the total number of falls in bathrooms seems to increase each year. Why? Is it better reporting? The growing ranks of aged Baby Boomers? Inadequate building standards? I don’t know, but I do know that there are a lot of ways to avoid being counted in the unfortunate statistics through improving the bath fixtures, accessories and flooring in your home.
Breaking out the stats, we learn that:
– Two-thirds of emergency-room visits result from falls in or near
Comments on "How to Prevent Slips and Falls from Tripping Up Your Retirement"
John H says:
Good information. I found a powerful "suction cup" grab bar that works well in my plastic shower/tub.
Marianne says:
It's not just bathrooms. Beware the 'killer sidewalks'! I was out walking at a rapid clip when my foot hit about 1/2 inch edge on an uneven sidewalk. I went flying and hit the ground twice, ending by whacking my face and front teeth on the sidewalk. If it weren't for my left arm saving me, I have my doubts I'd be typing this today.
Bonnie says:
As a young 50's with a disability, I have had commercial type carpet glued down in my bathroom for years. I can step out of the shower with confidence that I will not slip and fall. It may not be a designers choice but safety is first.
David M. Lane says:
When we travel we ask for a room with a shower separate from a tub to reduce the risk. We also take along a rubber bath mat we got at the $store which also helps.
millie fitzpatrick says:
Thanks for helpful comments. I will try to find the product "invisitred" in Lowes...
Dee Aller says:
Thank you for this simple to understand and honest information. There are hazards everywhere and unfamiliar places seem to be the most dangerous "downfall" for me so far. Who would suspect our own familiar bathroom to also be in need of readjustments! I was walking my dog in a familiar park when I stepped back in concern for my dog's safety and fell backwards because there was no dirt under a patch of normal looking grass. I crushed my L1 vertabrae and experienced the most painful fall of my life, ending with a 2 month recovery in bed. I imagine that injury will cause more trouble down the line. I was fortunate to have found a wonderful Neurosurgeon who was honest enough to not operate and make a bad situation worse. Whatever it costs in terms of dollars to make your home safer DO IT because the health and avoidance of damage & pain is extremely more expensive. Don't find out the hard way.