Hi, I recently fell in the bathroom and now I'm afraid of falling again. I live alone and I want to remain independent but I don't want my bathroom to look like a hospital bathroom. Have you ever had this happen to you, what did you do about it or what products did you buy to help you?
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falling in the bathroom
(52 Posts)Forget about how it looks just make sure you’re safe. Have you got one of those sos pendant things that will contact someone if you fall.
Remove anything you might trip over. Get some hand rails put up. Some of them are chrome and look fine.
Get some anti-slip flooring…
Yes, wet floors are a hazard. Put down some non-slip materials, put up a few handrails and keep it warm which will prevent the dreaded mould.
We can fall anywhere! I read recently that people fall most when they are turning round. Apparently you should take your feet with you when moving your shoulders and head! Worth bearing in mind.
Hand rails, both vertical and horizontal.
Don’t shut the bathroom door if you live alone.
My partner was called to help a neighbour who had fallen, hit his head on the basin and was unconscious behind the door bleeding profusely from a head wound.
I haven't fallen but have had multiple strokes in the past and after the first one was quite paranoid about falling and slipping in the shower. I'm fully recovered now but still live happily with my oversize stainless steel grab rails. My bathroom is very modern and the rails fit in just fine with the decor. No little old lady vibes at all.
If you call Age Concern, someone will come out to assess your house. They will then send Care and Repair to sort the problems out. I have had a non-slip handle on the side of my shower cubicle, an easy-lock system on my back door, they have raised my sofa, which was too low. Get in touch with them. They are kind and helpful.
petra
Don’t shut the bathroom door if you live alone.
My partner was called to help a neighbour who had fallen, hit his head on the basin and was unconscious behind the door bleeding profusely from a head wound.
Just about to say the same. An elderly man we know kept falling down in their small toilet. He was well over 6ft and his wife could not pick him up so many times they sent the air ambulance out.
I have a non-slip mat that I put in the bath and a different sort that goes by the side of the bath for when I get in and out. Both relatively cheap and make me feel less nervous.
Loisa this is my shower room. I have fallen all my life . I have solid oak doors with large handles in case I feel wobbly. I have an ease toilet which is hight than a normal and use a toddler step for my feet . As I had a series of UTI's and kidney infections and needed 16 courses of antibiotics. A nurse told me always make sure your knees and hips are in a line that way you empty your bladder and bowl completely. I always leave the door open when I go to the toilet ,wash and have a shower. My mobile is always with me and outside of the opening of the shower door. I have adapted my whole bungalow to make it safe. I have large handles both sides as some showers have knobs and I can't use them .
You could always put rubber mats on your floor. I use 2 bathroom mats when I get out of the shower to absorb the water so I don't slip . I always dry my rubber mats over the arms of my fold up chair . I brought it from Screwfix 4 years ago it was £300 less 5p. But I needed one I would feel safe using .
When I lived in my old house didn't need a chair in the shower but still used 2 mats and had handrail . And always left the door open ..
There are a lot of emergency alarms you can have and ones fitted in your rooms . Have the occupational health come in and they will supply anything you need. I didn't realise I needed a bed bar to get into bed just thought I needed it to get out of bed.
What caused the slip in the bathroom?
Then look at ways of preventing the same thing happening again.
Crazy H's suggestion about AgeConcern (AgeUK) is excellent advice. They will no doubt come up with ideas you don't like, in which case no one will force you to take them.
Just pick out the ones you feel you can live with.
One word of warning - they seem strangely impressed with the notion that all old people need raised seats. My Mum, who was under 5ft tall, really tiny, allowed all her seats to be raised to the point where her feet were swinging, even when she was on the toilet. It was idiotic!
A 'toddler stool' was just plain dangerous and it was easier to remove the unhygienic toilet seat raiser altogether. Then her feet were flat on the floor and her hips at right angles to her thighs.
She unscrewed the raisers they put on her favourite TV chair as she was getting pins and needles in her feet from having them swinging free of the ground.
One size doesn't fit all.
The one product that I would not do without is a pair of plastic 'pool sliders'. They cost about £8 and are the best buy ever. ligth weigh you wear them in shower of bath and they may be washed in the machine.
Ranberone Shower Slippers for Women Men Quick-Drying Shower Shoes Anti-Slip Bathroom Slippers Swimming Pool Beach Sliders Summer Sandals
Shower or bath. For safety's sake I will not shower without them
Bathroom floors are incredibly slippery. I put a towel down to stand on when I get out and we have non slip shower mats in the shower tray.
Lots of good ideas here . I would recommend an alarm pendant. AgeUK can organise it . Also a key safe in a non obvious place , so emergency services or a friend / neighbour can access your house .
What made you slip in the first place?
we stayed in a hotel in France recently - the bathroom was completely floored with a non slip surface - brilliant - no slippery tiles.
I need the ease toilet because it's easier for me to get on and off the loo as I was born disabled and I do need my toddler step . I am 66 but my mobility and disability got worse when I was 29 my children where 4 and 6 months. I would never want a fasten on toilet seat that's why when I had my new shower room I had the ease toilet . Since using my toddler step I haven't had an UTI or kidney infection. And my step is not dangerous as it has rubber on the bottom so its non slip on my tiles .
I described my shower room and showed pictures to be helpful.
Caleo
Shower or bath. For safety's sake I will not shower without them
With an osteoporosis diagnosis and 2 fractures already, I discovered these shower shoes this summer and have been using them ever since. Very nonslip and reassuring I also wear them when washing the kitchen floor or doorsteps.
Disabled relative swears by an Apple watch with a fall detector. It alerts 3 family members in the event of a fall. Unlike the pendant that you press, it has no monthly fee.
Do you have a mobile phone and an *Alexa? (Or *Google equivalent) of so you can call out and ask it to call anyone in your contacts list so you can speak to them via the smart hub and ask for help. I’ve also got a key box near my front door so if I have to call the emergency services and can’t get to the front door they can access the key
Do you have a mobile phone and an *Alexa? (Or *Google equivalent) if so you can call out and ask it to call anyone in your contacts list so you can speak to them via the smart hub and ask for help. I’ve also got a key box near my front door so if I have to call the emergency services and can’t get to the front door they can access the key
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