60 % of falls occur in the bathroom! Read on to learn how to create a safer space.
Grab Bar Placement: Think about who is using the bathroom and their physical specs. Height and weight determine the type of bars used and where they are installed. Grab bars should ALWAYS be weight capacity rated! Shower layout and surround material (tile, plastic or fiberglass) are also important considerations to determining placement. It is always best to secure grab bars using proper anchors that are mounted into two studs when possible. Typically, we like to see one 18”-24” vertical bar at either the exterior or interior shower entrance, one diagonally or horizontally on the inside wall and one vertically underneath the shower head. Consulting with a licensed occupational therapist is the best way to know the exact placement needed for your specific physical specs and living context.
Curved or Straight? Grab bars now come in a variety of sizes, finishes and shapes. Many of our customers love the corner shelves, and toilet paper holders that are also engineered to be grab bars! These dual-function items provide storage while maintaining a streamlined look.
Bath and Shower Seating: Shower chairs come with many features that can ease caregiving or mitigate fall risk. They might swivel, slide, tilt or have drop-style arms that allow for lateral transfer. Some roll and have commode seats or hygienic cut outs. Wall-mounted shower chairs such as the one shown above are perfect solutions for a designer look in a small space!
At Mobility Plus Alpharetta, we sell and install grab bars, toilet lifts, bath lifts, and shower chairs. Call us today at (470) 545-1827 to schedule your evaluation!
