Bathroom Grab Bars: Purpose and Benefits for Seniors

bathroom tube bench

It is dangerous with wet, slippery, and hard surfaces in the bathroom. Therefore, fall prevention in the bathroom should be a priority, especially for elderly individuals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in four people over 65 falls annually. Inadequate bathrooms are one of the leading causes of such falls.  A bathroom grab bar is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent seniors from falling in the bath or shower. Designed for the elderly, bathroom grab bars support using the toilet, showering safely, and getting into and out of the bathtub safely. 

TOP REASONS WHY YOU NEED GRAB BARS

It would be best to have grab bars, bath rails, or toilet safety frames to make your home age-friendly. When seniors get older, their mobility and balance decline. This makes it more important to have such support around the house, particularly in tricky places like the bathroom. Below are some valuable tips for making your bathroom safer for seniors. 

  1. Toilet Safety Frame and Rail

As seniors age, standing up and sitting down from the toilet become increasingly difficult. Those who reach for a handhold while using the toilet can use a safety frame or rail to add support instead of going for the sink or the wall.

  1. Bathtub Safety Rails

A fall is most likely to occur while entering and exiting the bathtub. Maintaining a secure grip on a slippery tub edge with wet hands is hard. Seniors with limited mobility can stand or sit in a tub more efficiently with a safety rail parallel to it. Furthermore, you can install a non-slip bathtub step to ensure a safer bathing experience. The clamping system adjusts so that it fits any standard bathtub side. Ensure that any device you install is compatible with your tub. For example, some bathtub safety rails cannot be installed on fiberglass tubs. 

  1. Wall grab bar 

Those in an aging-in-place home need grab bars to help them get around. Install wall grab bars around toilets, sinks, shower areas, or anywhere you need to hold onto for balance, such as near the bathroom, the sink, or the shower. For buying grab bars, you can refer to Sky Medical Supplies. 

BENEFITS OF A GRAB BAR FOR SENIORS 

A bathroom grab bar increases safety and reduces the likelihood of falls in the elderly by enhancing safety. They aim to improve confidence in daily activities and aid in independent living. 

Help reduce falls and injury: Falling in bathrooms is particularly dangerous because of the slippery surfaces. Accidents can leave victims with bumps, bruises, fractured bones, or brain damage. Grab bars provide support if you lose balance, slip, or fall. 

The grab rails in your bathroom are not as fragile as towel rods or other bathroom fixtures.

Aid in improving independence: As your mobility diminishes with age or after surgery, you might find it challenging to get on the toilet or out of the bathtub without help. Grab bars can make it easier to remain independent by making it easier to do tasks independently.

Increase comfort and stability: Poor balance can cause you to fall but can also negatively affect your confidence, leaving you in doubt. You will enjoy enhanced comfort and safety when grab bars are installed in your bathroom and other places, keeping you steady when you get in and out of the shower.

bathroom GRAB BARS 

It is relatively inexpensive and easy to prevent falls in the bathroom by installing safety features. With today's technology, you can choose from many bathroom grab bars. If you install the grab bars on the floor, simulate the exact placement. Below are some bath safety rails and support devices that can assist seniors in getting into and out of the bath. 

  1. Toilet Safety Frame

Its lightweight anodized aluminum construction makes this frame sturdy and supports users up to 300 lbs. Its waterfall armrests are padded for increased comfort. The aluminum brackets can be mounted to most standard toilets, and their height and width can be adjusted. 

  1. Toilet Safety Rail

Toilet safety rails are space-saving because they do not have the legs of a conventional frame. The toilet seat is designed to assist persons with restricted mobility or those recovering from an injury and maintain balance while using the toilet. This toilet safety rail has cushioned handles that double as armrests and ensure that the user has a comfortable grip. The adjustable width makes it suitable for different users, and the steel structure can support 300 lbs. 

  1. Bathtub Grab Bar

The grab bar in this bathroom installs with a clamp on your tub. The armrest gives you a good hand position while sitting in the tub or getting out. This construction is sturdy and durable with its tool-free mounting and adjustable width from 3 to 7 inches. 

To keep the grab bars from scratching the tub, rubber pads secure them securely to it. In addition, fiberglass bathtubs are not compatible with this aid.

  1. Clamp-On Tub Rail 

With the Clamp-on Tub Rail, you can match the bathroom interior by powder coating the steel. This easy-to-clean bathtub safety rail can be used with height and width adjustments with most standard bathtubs. The steel clamping mechanism is also protected by rubber padding to prevent scratches. The seat fits securely to the side and supports sitting or standing up from the tub. Fiberglass tubs cannot be equipped with this railing.

  1. Wall Grab Bar

A grab bar like this one is essential for spaces needing support while moving. They are instrumental around the shower area and in the bathrooms. Sky Medical Supplies Grab bars are sturdy steel and come between 12 and 18 inches long with a powder-coated finish. There is mounting hardware included, which can be mounted vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. 

Final Thoughts 

Getting medical bathing supplies such as the tall grab bars can make independent living safer and more secure for seniors aging in place. It can be challenging for seniors to use the bathroom every day. For senior citizens using the toilet is fraught with risks, so grab bars, railings, bathtub step stools with handrails, and other mobility devices should be installed to make it safer. Contact Sky Medical Supplies for a wide range of Medical grab bars. 

 

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