Shower Handles, a Must

Three weeks ago my poor wife pitched down these stairs after trying to reach one of her loose slipper loafers:

The headfirst fall into the wall on the right broke her second cervical vertebra but luckily the break did not compromise her spinal column – no surgery, no paralysis, just a long painful recovery.

But part of the recovery and the point of this post involved her return and the strict guidelines to prevent a fall at home. The Occupational Therapists audited our house for fall risks. The most important change required adding grip bars in the bathroom and especially showers.

That requirement got me thinking about major contracts, stud works and bathroom rebuilds. But …not to worry.

OT recommended these suction grip bars for placing all over the shower.

They install quite easily …

…hold on well and serve wonderfully.

Then came the need for a stronger outer shower entry grip.

For that we chose a steel one that matched the walls (white) and screwed into the wall directly.

It took a little more work…

…but results in a solid weight bearing handle.

The point: as you approach 70, watch out. Avoiding a fall like my wife’s will give you a longer, healthier life. And falls occur suprisingly easily. Add shower grips. We may not feel we need them but better no fall than a broken neck or worse.