Since january 1st of this year, people over 65 years old had a fall in Europe, sometimes with serious consequences.
Since january 1st of this year, people over 65 years old had a fall in Europe, sometimes with serious consequences.
 | This website conforms to the HONcode principles. Check here. |
It is especially known to be a room where falls occur. Indeed, a half turn (a movement that is liable to upset your balance) must be performed in a cramped space with a slippery floor that is often cluttered up by a mat. In addition, the toilet seat is often too low (39/40cm), which requires great effort to stand back up.
>> Have the opening direction of the door changed so that it opens onto the hall and not inside the lavatories.
>> Never lock yourself in, whether you are alone or not.
>> Makes adjustments in the room so that it be as clutter-free and functional as possible.>> A toilet paper dispenser is necessary because it makes taking paper easier. However, it should not be used as a support bar: its fastening system is not designed to support the weight of an individual.
>> If you use a walking aid such as a walker or a rollator, you should leave them out of the room as they are often cumbersome: prefer using support bars inside the lavatories.
You can install the following simple technical aids in your lavatories:
- An elevating device or lifter: this equipment is highly efficient. It is recommended to help standing up and can prevent accidents should a person lose their balance backwards when standing back up. Some lifters are made out of a flexible material are therefore more comfortable (when sitting down for an extended period of time, and to absorb shocks).
- Wall support bars: bars are stable support points to hold onto to perform a half turn, sit down and/or stand back up.
For visually impaired people, choose bars whose colour contrasts with the wall.Place a bar on both sides (side walls) or foldable bars (back wall)
- If installing wall support bars is impossible, there are other options:
- Inverted U-shaped bars fastened to the floor.
- A lifter with built-in armrests: it is also recommended for people who find it difficult to sit down in the middle of the toilet seat.
- A toilet frame: it is a four-legged frame (like for stationary walkers) which provides two armrests on both sides of the toilet bowl; some models have a built-in seat (in this case, is therefore has the same purpose as the lifter with armrests); its height can be adjusted.
In the case of incontinence:
>> The solution to remedy this problem is to use a penilex (for men) and/or protection pads.If you wear a urinary probe or a penilex, use a netted pocket or a fastening system with elastics (fastened to the lower limb) so that neither the probe nor the pouch prevents your from walking comfortably.
In the case of occasional incontinence or urgent needs to go to the toilet, men can use a urinal, during the day or at night, which makes it possible to avoid having to rush to the lavatories.
In the same way, a toilet chair, despite its negative image, can be a true solution to make your daily life easier. In addition, there are now plastic hygienic bags available for the bucket under the chair: they make emptying the toilet chair simpler and easier.
