Utilization of bathroom safety devices, patterns of bathing and toileting, and bathroom falls in a sample of community living older adults

Bathroom falls are a significant health hazard among seniors. This cross sectional survey examined patterns of utilization and acceptability of bathroom safety devices, bathing and toileting practices, and bathroom falls in a sample of 550 older residents of non-profit apartment buildings in two Canadian regions. Almost one-third of participants (32%) had at least one fall in the year preceding the study, of whom about 15% fell in the bathroom. Over half of the bathroom falls were related to bath or toilet transfers and 80% resulted in mild to severe injuries. Most seniors with access to bathroom devices used them regularly and found them helpful. However, many participants also relied on hazardous supports to facilitate bathing and toileting activities. Implications of the findings relate to policy planning, product design, standard development, and public education.