How to Choose the Right Grab Bar
for Over-the-Hill Age Safety
At a young age, falling may not seem life-threatening for many. However, as we age, accidents from falling can lead to fatal injuries. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 1 in 4 elderly people who are above the over-the-hill age report fall injuries every year. This accounts for over 14 million Americans many of whom cannot sustain the trauma which often leads to death. However, small measures such as using a cane for walking, installing a grab bar in the bathroom, etc. can prevent such accidents.
The installation of a stainless steel grab bar can help prevent fall accidents
In this article, we will go through the process of selecting a grab bar for the elderly, which can increase their safety.
What is a Grab Bar?
A grab bar is a safety aid item that is installed on the walls to provide support to a person while transitioning from a seated position to a standing one. These grab bars can do multiple jobs and are therefore essential, especially in wet environments.
Benefits of Installing Grab Bars
A grab bar serves many purposes at the same time. These include the following:
Assistance in Balancing
Most accidents occur when the elderly lose their balance while stepping into or out of the shower or standing up from a seated position. In such instances, using a grab bar for balancing your body weight can prevent many accidents.
These grab bars also provide confidence to the elderly that they can manage their day-to-day activities with independence with minimum risk of injury.
Prevention of Falls
By providing a secure handhold, grab bars help prevent injuries. These also ensure that even if the person loses balance while holding the grab bar, the injuries they sustain would be minimal.
Aid in Transfer
The use of a grab bar makes the transition from one posture or position to another easy and safe.
Installing grab bars to prevent fall accidents
Choosing a Right Grab Bar for the Elderly
The following steps should be followed while choosing a grab bar for the elderly:
1. Inspect the Space
Before installing a grab bar, the first thing that needs to be done is a thorough inspection of the space where extra support is needed. Mostly, these places include:
- Shower area
- Near the bathtub
- Adjacent to the toilet seat
Keep in mind that the area where the grab bar is to be installed must be at a suitable distance from the user. For instance, while sitting on the toilet seat, the person must be able to hold the grab bar with ease without having to stand up a little.
In the case of the shower area or some other wet environments, a grab bar should be installed near the entrance area. This will help the elderly to get in and out of the shower safely. These grab bars are also helpful when a person needs to dry themselves after taking a shower.
2. Estimate the Dimensions
Apart from inspecting the home for installing grab bars, it is also essential to make an estimation of the dimensions of each room or bathroom. This is because, in smaller areas, fewer grab bars are required which should be placed strategically to serve their purpose. However, in case of a larger space, more than one grab bar is required to provide support and security to your loved ones.
Make sure that the installed grab bars do not interfere with other fixtures or appliances. This is because such things can cause an injury while the user tries to hold the grab bar.
Multipurpose grab bars functional in many ways
3. Evaluate Weight Capacity
Another important factor is the weight capacity of the grab bar. There are different construction materials used for making grab bars. These include:
- Stainless steel
- Aluminium
- Plastic
Among these, high-quality stainless steel grab bars should be preferred as these are strong and durable and therefore manage heavier body weight as well.
4. Check the Diameter
In addition to its weight capacity, the diameter of a grab bar should also be inspected. Usually, grab bars come in two sizes i.e. 1 ¼ inches and 1 ½ inches. The selection purely depends upon what the user feels is right.
For instance, people who have a shorter height or have small hands generally feel more comfortable while using a thinner grab bar. This is also the case with people who have joint issues. A slimmer grab bar provides a stronger grip in which the bar is held in a way that the fingertips touch the palm. As a result, stability is elevated.
However, for people who are tall in height and have a broad body structure, thicker grab bars should be preferred.
5. Double functionality Grab Bars
After taking into account all of the above-mentioned features, it is also good to look for an aesthetic grab bar that has double functionality. Such multipurpose products not only serve the purpose but also look good and are useful.
Some of these multipurpose grab bars can hold the toilet paper as well apart from providing support to the user. Some other options are good for hanging the towels. These products are particularly useful when the bathroom space is smaller.
A good quality grab bar is an excellent support for the elderly
Grab Bar Brands at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
A grab bar is a simple instrument that is designed for the prevention of fall accidents among individuals who are either in their over-the-hill age or are not able to maintain their balance. Many commercial brands of grab bars are available some of which are made up of plastic while others have stainless steel construction.
Some of these grab bar brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:
Drive Medical RTL13083 Suction Cup Grab Bar 12″ White and Beige
US$24.99
Product Details
Drive Medical RTL13083 suction cup grab bar is a product known for its versatility and style. As the product is suction cup-based, it can be attached anywhere on the wall in your home. The red/green installation indicator shows when the garb bar has been installed securely. In the case of the green indicator, the device has been installed with safety while in the case of the red color, the product needs some adjustment.
Apart from being simple to install, Drive Medical RTL13083 suction cup grab bars o not damage the walls and can later be detached. The release levers on these bars facilitate removal. The construction material is plastic and the product comes in white color with a weight of 0.75 pounds (lbs).
Drive Medical RTL12118 Chrome Knurled Grab Bar 18″
US$32.49
Product Details
Drive Medical RTL12118 chrome knurled grab bar is 18 inches in length and has a non-slip grip. These can be attached to the walls in both vertical as well horizontal position. These products are secure and have an aesthetic look to them which makes them a first choice for people who do not prefer plastic products.
The construction material of these Drive Medical RTL12118 chrome knurled grab bars is stainless steel which has a higher weight capacity. Moreover, the color of the product is chrome. As for its weight and dimensions, these grab bars weigh around 1 pound and have a height of 3 inches. The overall length of the product is 18.5 inches while its width is 2.75 inches.
Drive Medical RTL12012 Powder Coated Grab Bar White
US$24.99
Product Details
Drive Medical RTL12012 powder-coated grab bars come in white color. These are constructed using stainless steel which is then coated with white powder. The products are highly durable due to steel but also aesthetically pleasing. These grab bars have high durability and can thus be used for many years once installed. These are also easy to clean and maintain.
Wall Grab Bar McKesson White Steel 146-RTL12012 3/CS
US$65.88
Product Details
Wall Grab Bar McKesson white steel 146-RTL12012 3/CS wall grab bars come in white color. These are 1 inch in diameter and their length is 12 inches. The construction material is stainless steel which is known for its durability and immense weight bearing capacity.
In addition, the white color makes them aesthetically pleasing. These wall grab bars by McKesson are installed using 4 screws which secure the bar in place and thus the risk of its falling is minimized.
Drive Medical RTL13084 Adjustable Angle Rotating Suction Cup Grab Bar
US$29.99
Product Details
Drive Medical RTL13084 adjustable angle rotating suction cup grab bar is a rotatable device that can be shifted to an angle. Due to its suction power, these grab bars can be attached to the wall without the need of making a hole in the surface.
The green and red color indicators show when the device is secured on the surface. In the case of a red color, the device needs further adjustment. Keep in mind that these grab bars should not be attached to grout lines. The hold on the wall is strong for these items due to the high strength of their suction material.
Drive Medical 12036 Bathtub Grab Bar Safety Rail
US$44.99
Product Details
Drive Medical 12036 bathtub grab bar safety rails have a stainless steel construction which is then coated white for aesthetic preferences. This can be fitted with the bathtub which provides support while getting in and out of the bathing tub. The width of the product can be adjusted between the range of 3 to 7 inches.
As the construction material is stainless steel, the durability of the product is evident. However, despite their numerous advantages and versatility, Drive Medical 12036 bathtub grab bar safety rails are not suitable for use in fiberglass tubs.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Tips for fall prevention in the elderly
All of the grab bar brands mentioned in the above article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link given in the article to check out the wide range of safety products for the elderly.
Bottom Line
Elderly people are at a higher risk of falling and getting injured. These injuries are sometimes minor while in other cases, such physical traumas can become life-threatening. As a preventive measure, the use of grab bars is recommended.
Grab bars are to be installed in a suitable location in the bathroom, shower area, or other places in the house. Their installation is easy as they can be easily attached to a granite wall, on a tiled surface, or on a cement background.
The importance of a grab bar can be estimated by the fact that these can prevent many accidents that often happen within the homes.
For purchasing different medical products including several grab bar brands, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
