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Preventing Falls in Your Bathroom

January 5, 2023 | Tips & Trends
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By, Kelsey Lovell, PTA | Phoneix Physical Therapy – Bradford, PA

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four senior citizens experiences a fall every year. Falls can have serious short and long-term impacts for seniors. The bathroom is a common place for falls inside the home. This is often due to its smaller size, cramped spacing and slippery surfaces. Here are eight suggestions to help prevent falls in your bathroom.

1. Proper Lighting: Lighting should be bright enough to provide clear visibility. Nightlights are also helpful for late-night trips to the bathroom.

2. Organize, De-Clutter and Keep Items Within Reach: Shower caddies and shower organizers are helpful for organizing essential bathroom products. Keep commonly used items within reach to minimize slipping and tripping.

3. Grab Bars and Safety Rails: Rails/Bars should be used throughout the bathroom including in the shower/tub and around the toilet to assist with balance and transfers. Ideally, they should be at least 16 inches in length and anchored to the wall with screws, not with suction cups. They should be at a height and in a location that is convenient for the individual.

4. Non-Slip or Non-Skid Mats: Rubberized mats with a non-slip/non-skid bottom placed in the shower/tub, outside the shower/tub and around the toilet can reduce risk of slips and falls due to wet surfaces. Fluffy and plush bathmats look cozy but present a tripping hazard and fall risk.

5. Shower or Transfer Chair or Bench: Waterproof and plastic with a metal base, shower chairs are a good option for individuals who have balance deficits or difficulty with standing or stepping over the side of the tub.

6. Check Hot Water Tank Settings: Most of the scalding and burn injuries caused by hot water happen to the elderly and children under five. Hot water tanks should be set to 120 degrees. Ideal temperature for bathing is 97 to 98 degrees.

7. Raised Toilet Seat: Replacing the toilet with a higher toilet, or adding a seat lift are both options to reduce the risk of falls. Use a raised toilet seat along with handrails for extra support.

8. Emergency Call Button: Having an emergency alert system available in the bathroom allows for quick response in the event of a fall.

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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