By Devin Wurman, DPT
Did you know that one-third of Americans ages 65 and older fall each year? In fact, falls are the leading cause of deadly injuries and are the most common cause of trauma-related hospitalizations. A lot of falls actually occur in your home which might surprise you given that you are probably more familiar with your own house than anywhere else. But it’s true. And if you already have trouble balancing, you are more prone to falling.
One common place for falls to happen is the bathroom. Try these 4 tips to reduce your risk of losing your balance:
Fall-Proof Your Bathroom:
- Place a slip-resistant rug next to the bathtub for safe exit and entry.
- Use a non-slip runner mat or non-skid strips on the floor of your tub or shower.
- Install grab bars for support inside the tub and next to the toilet.
- Replace the glass shower enclosures with non-shattering material.
