January is National Bath Safety Month and the ideal timefor seniors and those who love them to develop a plan for a safe bathroom environment. Falls are the number one cause of serious injury and hospitalization for seniors each year and many of these injuries occur in the bathroom. In fact, statistics provided by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) show that 80 percent of senior falls that happen in the home occur in the bathroom.
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death among senior adults ages 65 and older today. According to statistics, one out of three seniors falls every year, and two-thirds of them will fall again within six months. Additionally, the risk of falling increases with each decade of life.
Keeping a loved one with memory loss safe is one of the greatest challenges at-home caregivers face today. Memory loss authorities at the Alzheimer’s Association® advise that wandering and the risks it presents for loved ones getting lost or injured is one of the foremost safety challenges.