According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2010, 2.6 million injuries from falls occurred among older adults in the home.
Most injuries take place when the person transfers from the bed to the wheelchair, or from the unassisted use of a walker in the bathroom. Frequently, older people who fall suffer lacerations, hip fractures, and head injuries. The CDC recommends that many of these injuries and hospitalizations could have been prevented with the use of grab bars and bed transfer bars.
Increase Independence and Safety in the Home with Handicap Grab Bars
Activities of daily living (ADLs), such as the ability to transfer, to manage dressing, to bathe, and to prepare meals, are the basic day-to-day tasks of self-care and personal hygiene. The ability to perform ADLs safely and completely determines if people are capable of living independently at home. The use handicap grab bars provides people with a supportive and safe way to perform ADLs and maintain independent lifestyle.
The Most Efficient Locations for Handicap Transfer Bars
Bed transfer bars placed at the bedside provide safe support for transfers from the bed to wheelchair or walker. Pulling up on the vertical bar provides support and steadies a person with weakness or balance impairment. Vertical poles placed near the closet make it possible for a physically challenged person to dress themselves and perform basic ADLs in a safe manner.
Grab bars installed next to a toilet in the bathroom provide the greatest amount of safety and support for people who have difficulty sitting down or pulling up to a standing position. Horizontal bars are ideal for the bathtub, and can be mounted easily on wall tile. The user can maneuver in the shower and perform daily hygiene without slipping or falling in the bathtub.
ADA Guidelines for Safe and Supportive Grab Bars
The American Disabilities Act (ADA) has guidelines and specifications for safe and optimum use of grab bars. All grab bars should be fixed and not rotate in their fittings, and the mounting height is universally 33 to 36 inches from the grip of the bar to the floor. All ADA style grab bars should support at least 250 pounds of force.
Cost and Maintenance of Supportive Grab Bars
Grab bars costs vary with sizes and finishes and may range from $20-50 for transfer and support grab bars. Vertical poles may cost between $30-200, depending on which style is selected. Maintenance is low, and most bars stay in a firm position for years.