| Show Bathroom Safety For Sr Citizens Contrary to popular belief more bathroom accidents happen happen happen hap hap- pen to older people than to chil chil- dren Most of these are falls and with people living longer the question of ot safety in the bathroom is becoming Increasingly increasingly increasingly important THESE TIPS for bathroom safety apply to everyone but esp especially lall to the 18 million senior citizens who are over 64 They come from the Plumb Plumb- ing-Heating-Cooling ing Wor Information m a- a tion Bureau 1 Make sure there are grab bars at the side and end of ot the tub and at a convenient height for people who like showers They should be firmly attached to wall studs rather than merely to surface tile tUe tile otherwise otherwise a abar abar abar bar might come loose and really cause the person depending upon it to fall and injure himself himsel 2 2 MAKE SURE the tubs have flat fiat bottoms Ideally the they y should be the new skId resistant kind People who have trouble getting into and out of the tub should have low tubs installed 3 For people who like to blake take showers but feel insecure on their feet in a wet tub there are tubs with seats so the bather can shower sitting down 4 THE OLDSTER who Is a a shower lover should have a thermostatic mixing valve that can be preset for the desired water temperature and volume This prevents the sudden surges of scalding hot or Icy fey cold coldwater water that not only are uncomfortable or dangerous in themselves but also can startle an oldster and cause him to Injure himself 5 Make sure the bathroom is properly heated so the Ute bather bath bath- er wont won't get a chill chIU Many older i folk require more warmth than does a younger adult 6 IDEALLY THE oldsters oldster's bathroom should have an emergency emergency emergency emer emer- gency call bell beU 7 For invalids or people with arthritic ailments that make it hard for them to get into and out of the tub there are chair lifts patterned alter sifter I those used in hospitals hospital and nursing homes They enable a family member to render assistance with a minimum of effort Similar equipment is available for the water closet |
