Art put safety bars in mom's bathroom, the guest bathroom and our master bathroom when we did the renovation 10 years ago.
When we added mom's safety bars, I clearly remember her saying with a huff, "I'm not that old, you didn't have to put those in."
She's glad now.
We thought we were well safe guarded against falls.
And then one night I stepped out of the shower from the side that didn't have a grab bar. My foot was wet and missed the bathmat. It slid out and I barely caught myself with my other foot. It was a very close call and I guess I must have shrieked.
I'm sure it wasn't a really loud shriek, but I guess it unnerved Art.
We went to Home Depot and bought another grab bar.
I've had several friends who happen to be seniors suffer a terrible fall while walking their dog, tripping on a curb,etc.
I nearly joined their number and shudder to think of the injuries I might have suffered.
And there it is. All done!
We've tried to make things as safe as possible around the house, but you never know.
When we added mom's safety bars, I clearly remember her saying with a huff, "I'm not that old, you didn't have to put those in."
She's glad now.
We thought we were well safe guarded against falls.
I'm sure it wasn't a really loud shriek, but I guess it unnerved Art.
We went to Home Depot and bought another grab bar.
I've had several friends who happen to be seniors suffer a terrible fall while walking their dog, tripping on a curb,etc.
I nearly joined their number and shudder to think of the injuries I might have suffered.
And there it is. All done!
We've tried to make things as safe as possible around the house, but you never know.
Whew! Glad you're okay. Nice work to put in the grab bar for yourself. Is that the end of the tub/shower where you get in/out? I always hold on to the stair railing going up and down the stairs in my son's house. I've seen too many bruised faces and broken hips from patients who thought they'd be ok not holding the railing. You may be able to qualify for an in-home assessment by asking your docs for a Physical Therapist to come check on the fall risk for both you and Art just in case there's something else you can do for fall prevention. Physical Therapists are great. They state the obvious when we haven't noticed things in our daily routines. Cheers, Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteWe now have the safety bars as you enter and leave the tub and I’ve been using them both. It really does feel a lot more secure now.
DeleteI am in a falls prevention class, and this is a great idea. I hope you put some sort of mat down on bath surface to make it less slippery.
ReplyDeletethat was a close call!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are okay, and that grab bar will be there for the next time. Thank you, Art. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou can never be too careful
ReplyDeleteI need that and have to keep reminding myself not to hurry but take my time any where-walking in the house, getting out of the shower, going to the car and especially walking. I stroll these days not power walk...lol! Also watch out for throw rugs on the floor.
ReplyDeleteCan't have too many. I know.
ReplyDeleteThink we should all have them starting late fifties at least.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff. We also have them near the toilet, and at the top of the stairs in two places. You can also buy a curved shower curtain rod that will keep the curtain away from your body. I liked that as a safety thing too.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you didn't fall.
Yes, we do have that curved shower bar and I love it.
DeleteWhew Kay, that was a close call.
ReplyDeleteYay Art! Be careful dear, Kay. I'm being careful thanks!
ReplyDeleteGood that you caught yourself in time and that Art heard your shriek!
ReplyDeleteWhen I tripped on construction debris (didn't know at the time but it became a monster house in our neighborhood) and broke my arm, it actually was a good thing for me. I was doing too much of stuff that I really didn't want to, and it gave me an excuse to stop, rest, play tons of Candy Crush Saga, and watch Korean dramas with no sense of wasting time.
However, I do NOT want to break anything again. Once is enough. Glad you are fine.
Falls can be so dangerous. I tend to not pay attention sometimes, racing to do something while it is on my mind instead of watching what I'm doing. I get mindful for a while but eventually I slip up again (in more ways than one).
ReplyDeleteI'm getting to that point where I often feel unstable or out of balance. Falls are a concern.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we have to swallow our pride and accept things for our own good. We fall easily and do serious damage when we do fall.
ReplyDeleteMy bathroom is built for handicap access with a wide door if a wheelchair is needed. Plus grab bars are next to the toilet and in the shower. The guest bathroom also had grab bar in shower. Persons of any age can use help at times.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you caught yourself just in time, Kay! Bathrooms have only hard surfaces and edges to fall on. Good onya for putting in those strategic grab bars.
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I’m still trying to heal my knee from tripping over a co workers dog!
ReplyDeleteSafety devices are a must for any age. Prevention is always better than cure. My mom is 92 thinks she is in perfect health, that she can cut vegetables,cook,wash,sweep,swab & traipse. But one can see her palpably weakening by the day.We dont allow her to do any of the above things and she is angry and upset. We have appointed a full time attendant and companion for her to ensure her comforts and safety and be with her 24/7.
ReplyDeleteGosh, glad you are OK. It's awfully slippy in there. Our shower had a grab bar built in, as well as a seat. And it is walk in. I really like it.
ReplyDeleteis this a glue on Bar ? or do you have to drill holes to fix it ?
ReplyDeleteThe bar is drilled into the wall with screws and mollies since he couldn’t find a stud there. And since this is Hawaii with moisture and mold, I put some clear caulk into the spaces. They don’t say that in the directions but I do it anyway.
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