The Context

For the elderly, bathroom is often the most dangerous room in the home. Slippery floors and surfaces considerably increase the risk of slip and fall incidents. However, on interviewing some elderly we got to know thier problems while bathing.

We have conducted a telephonic interview. We have attached it below.

Translation of the above recording in English:

Q : What problems do you face while going into the bathroom and how do you tackle them?

A : First, I check if the surface is wet or not and then get the support of the wall to go to the bathroom.

Q : When did you wake up?

A : I woke up around 7 am in morning.

Q : How many times do you take bath daily?

A : Sometimes twice, mostly once a day.

Q : Do you take help while going into the bathroom?

A : Usually, my son and grandson helps me.

Q : Have you ever fall in the bathroom?

A : I had fallen in the bathroom about 2-3 years ago, but it was not severe.

Q : What kind of preventive measures did you take and prevent yourself from slipping accidents?

A : We had placed handlebars in the bathroom also attached a rope to it. So, with the help of a rope, I can sit down and get up.

Q : What more changes do you want in the bathroom so that you can bath safely?

A : I personally want bathroom tiles should be little rough rather than smooth ones.

There are some existing products specifically designed to prevent these accidents and to improve bathroom safety. These are:

Non-Slip mats - Anti-Slip products are designed to prevent falls and slips. It helps to reduce the chances of injuries. Surfaces like bathroom tiles are prone to becoming extremely slippery when moist or wet which leads to accidents. These non-slip mats are usually made from non-slippery rubber.

• Pros - These mats enhance traction and drain water at the same time. With large gaps to allow free flow of water, the anti-slip mat remains dry on the top ensuring dramatic reduction in the possibility of slipping.

• Cons - Sometimes these mats can become a tripping hazard as they bunch up or move when stepped on. Moreover, good quality non-slip mats are costly (costs around Rs. 750+ for 90x58 cm size) and cover a very small area of the bathroom.

Fixed Handles - Fixed Grab bars for the elderly are simple and essential for the bathroom. It makes risky movements a lot more secure by providing efficient stability and support.

• Pros - Fixing bathroom grab bars for the elderly in the shower area or next to the toilet helps in standing up, exiting or entering the shower. These are easy to install, durable, reliable stylish.

• Cons - They can lose grip if the handle is wet. It can break while mounting or may damage the wall. They may be questionably effective for elderly who have poor or compromised grip. Moreover, the orientation in which the grab bar is fixed also has some of its own disadvantages. Some are:

1. Horizontally fixed grab bar: It is not as easy to use for support when getting up from a seated position when compared to an angled installation. They are tough on the wrists for elderly who have arthritis and with limited vertical coverage.

2. Vertically fixed grab bar: It has less area to grab on horizontally, thus making it difficult to move around in a shower. It does not provide any leverage to push down on the bar when trying to stand up from a seated position.

3. Diagonally fixed grab bar: It only helps when the elderly are facing in direction of the tub.

Thus, the direction of the install will depend on the specific mobility needs. Therefore, having a detachable grab bar is beneficial.

Shower Chairs - Shower chairs are useful bathroom accessories for elderly who have mobility issues. It is an ideal way to create a more relaxed bathing experience as it aids people with weak limbs or limited mobility.

• Pros - Eliminate the worries about injuries and accidents in the bathroom. The hygiene of the elderly improves. It makes them more independent while bathing. It has side handles to assist them.

• Cons - These chairs are costly. Some chairs may require a bit of folding and they are difficult to carry.