hellobeautifulcreatures

Taking a tumble is no laughing matter for elderly folk. They can suffer head injuries or fractures that may confine them to a wheelchair. Falls in the bathroom are quite common, said Ms Shirleen Sim , an occupational therapist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital . While there are no official figures, she estimates that at least a third of elderly rehabilitation patients in the hospital have fallen in the bathroom. She points out the hot spots, and what can be done to guard against falls. SLIPPERY SURFACES The floor can get slippery from soapy water, so if an elderly person does not feel steady on his feet, he should sit on a chair while showering. Try not to let him sit on the covered lid of the toilet seat as the smooth surface can easily get slippery and cause him to slide off. Installing a vertical grab bar in the shower cubicle may be helpful, allowing him to hold on to it when he stands up to wash. One can also place non-slip mats in the wet areas of the bathroom. But lay them out proper...