Decorating Articles

Have you thought about caring for an elderly parent or family member in your
home? Are your parents well enough to live at home alone, even though you
worry at times about their safety? Take a few moments to learn how you might
be able to prevent hip fractures by adding safety features that may save a
fall - or a life!

Many people are not aware that hip fractures are the most common injury in
elderly persons. Furthermore, more than half of all elderly persons die
within one year of suffering a hip fracture. These statistics emphasize the
incomparable safety and peace of mind you can offer older persons, as well
as yourself, by making renovations that incorporate a few crucial safety
features.

First, using throw rugs on bathroom floors can be attractive, but are
actually very dangerous to older people. These rugs become wet with moisture
from the tub or shower and then are much more likely to slip when people
step on them. Eliminate these altogether if possible. If you find it
completely necessary to use floor coverings, use adhesive materials, such as
double-backed carpet tape, to prevent them from sliding around.

Installing non-slip treads or shower mats in the tub can be very helpful.
These items offer traction and increase safety during showering, or while
entering or exiting the tub. Furthermore, installation is very simple; just
remove the protective covering and place them on the tub floor!

Another simple but very effective measure is the installation of safety bars
in the shower or bathtub. These allow a person something sturdy and
stationary to hold on to while climbing into and out of the tub. Placing
similar guardrails next to the commode also assist an elderly or handicapped
person to sit or stand more easily and with more security than a sink or
cupboard does.

Ideally, bathroom doors should open outward. If a person falls in the
bathroom, he or she may fall against the door. If the home contains bathroom
doors that open inward, renovating them to open outward may prevent the
person you love from being trapped, injured and alone, in the bathroom.

High-rise commode seats are also very helpful to elderly and handicapped
persons. Available in most home-medical supply companies, these convenient
accessories are often covered by medical insurance or Medicare. Often,
people who have hip or joint surgeries require these aids for several months
after surgery.

These products also help to prevent falls. Many older people have difficulty
sitting on or standing up from low chairs or commodes, and often lose their
balance while struggling to rise to a standing position. Falling and
fracturing a hip in the bathroom is a frightening prospect, especially for
elderly persons who live alone.

These measures are very simple. In addition, most of these steps are
economical and easily accomplished. These tips are priceless, however, in
their ability to protect your family member or loved one from unnecessary
injuries in the bathroom. Take a few minutes and protect someone important
to you!

This articles provided by Jim Slate an artist and designer who develops rustic home furnishings and stone products for
PebbleArt Inc.

Jim Slate