According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of four older adults falls every year-and one out of five of those falls results in injuries, such as being struck in the head or breaking a bone in the wrist, arm, or ankle, or hip. The bathroom is one of the most common places for accidents to happen.
Seniors can benefit from grab bars when bathing and using the bathroom. The CDC recommends installing grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and next to the toilet to prevent falls in the bathroom.
What are suction grab bars?
For mobility and balance issues, grab bars are a simple solution. This type of bar is easy to install.
As the installation requires drills, screws, and knowledge of the ideal placement, many with disabilities, illnesses and injuries may struggle to accomplish it. In response, suction grab bars have been increasingly popular. Thanks to little suction cups and air pressure, installation is quick and easy.
Why use grab bars?
Older adults frequently fall in the bathroom because toilets, showers, and walls with slick tiles create a hazard that can lead to an accident. You can prevent slipping and falling by placing grab bars in strategic locations on bath or shower walls. The grab bar can assist with sitting and standing beside the toilet or sink, and it can also provide stability next to a vanity or sink.
Are suction cup grab bars safe?
It is paramount to ensure the safety of your loved one when renovating a bathroom. Add suction cup grab bars to your bath or shower to make your bathroom safer.
A list of five facts about suction cup grab bars follows.
Indications
You can use suction cup grab bars to assist with balance in the bathroom, especially during entry and exit from the shower or tub. After a minor injury or surgery, grab bars mounted on suction cups provide additional stability and help restore balance.
According to space availability, they may be installed vertically, inclined, or horizontally. A suction-mounted safety grab bar can easily be removed and repositioned so the caregiver or loved one can decide where it is most convenient.
Because of this, they are perfect for apartments and travel where grab bars might not be permanently mounted.
Precautions
Caretakers and loved ones may be seriously injured if they misuse safety grab bars. It is not recommended to use suction-mounted grab bars to stand up from a seated position or support the total body weight.
Fix the wall studs with grab bars for a loved one who needs support to prevent falling after losing balance. Suction cup grab bars need to be strictly used for balance assistance.
Installation
A suction-mount grab bar requires no tools to install, and it leaves no traces on the wall after installation. Ensure they are applied only to flat, clean, and non-porous surfaces.
You cannot paint textured tiles or drywall with these products. It is best to place suction cups over grout lines if wall tiles are at least 4" x 4".
You will indicate a strong suction hold on the safety indicator by engaging the vacuum lever on the grab bar. Grab bars need to be attached securely to the wall before being used.
Inspection
As suction grip on grab bars can deteriorate over time, you should check them before use. Once it becomes loose, it needs to be taken apart and reattached.
The grab bar could become detached from the wall during use, posing a serious injury risk. If an airtight seal cannot be maintained on suction-mounted grab bars, it will need to be replaced.
Maintenance
For the grab bar to attach securely to the wall, caregivers should keep the suction cups free of dust and oil. You can clean the suction cups with soap and water whenever necessary and then dry them thoroughly before using them.
Suction cups will lose their elasticity if exposed to sunlight or freezing temperatures for long periods. If the suction cups show any damage or deterioration, replace the grab bar immediately.
When to use grab rails with suction cups?
It seems logical to use suction cup grab bars as temporary items in particular cases in private and domestic facilities, such as public toilets, showers, and bathrooms. Regulations and guides such as Document M require that accessible toilets, showers, and bathrooms are fixed to the wall.
These assistive points around the house boost confidence and ease recovery for someone who will be temporarily disabled after a mild fracture or minor surgery. Despite this, it is always important to be aware that suction grab handles cannot support the weight of an individual.
If one is unsure about where to fix small grab rails, using the repositioning feature may be convenient. Using a higher wall, slightly tilted, closer to the toilet. Once you have determined where to place the grab rail, experiment with the suction cups for a few days. Then, install a similar rail with solid and resistant fixings, such as stainless steel or antibacterial polymers.
In addition to being portable, suction cup grab rails can also be taken with the user when they visit others or when renting an apartment for a short time. If one plans to stay for a long time, we suggest having the owner drill and screw grab rails into the wall; later, tenants would appreciate these extra supports.
The therapist may find other appropriate contexts for using grab rails and give specific recommendations. You are encouraged to contact an occupational therapist, an expert in this field.
Choosing an appropriate grab rail involves more than just considering the price. We need to consider durability, safety, and, of course, peace of mind. Sky Medical Supplies plans on providing detailed information about all its sanitary accessories. Whether you're looking for a hand dryer, grab rails, or easy-to-use products like a sensor tap, don't hesitate to contact our customer service team using the form below or by phone. We want to ensure our customers choose the best option for their needs.
What makes suction grab bars potentially dangerous?
Suction grab bars aren't without limitations, however. Some of these issues include the fact that they only attach to non-porous areas that are flat, the fact that they cannot bear weight on them for an extended period, the fact that they loosen up with time, and the fact that they come unhinged from the wall entirely.
Suppose you face mobility issues due to a medical condition, illness, or injury. In that case, suction grab bars may be used temporarily as a safety measure, but not indefinitely.
The devices have caused many injuries because they slipped, loosened, or ultimately came off of surfaces where they have been placed, resulting in devastating falls.
Final thoughts
It would be best to keep an eye out on the bathroom's safety with your family members. Bathroom grab bars with suction cups make maintaining balance in the bath easier. We provide a wide range of medical grab bars to ensure the safety of elders around Denver, Colorado. Sky Medical Supplies is the main provider of medical bathing supplies around Denver Colorado. Check out all medical Supplies online and contact us for any kind of query.