Unsafe towel rack

UNSAFE TOWEL ROD PLACEMENT

This lovely lady was nice enough to let me photograph her bathroom. This was a shocker!I honestly could not believe the placement of her towel rod and her hand held shower hose placement. She was living with this, and had been living with it for years.

This wonderful lady was in excellent health, and as you can see by her reach, she had full range of motion in her shoulders, and excellent neck range of motion. She could really stretch, thank heavens, because she would be out of luck, otherwise!

She said she could not put a dry towel on the rack from out side of the tub. (See the commode would be an obstacle preventing easy access)

Even in the tub,she could not put a wet towel on the rack after drying herself, without a huge amount of difficulty. Notice that she is standing directly under the towel rod. She still can't reach to touch the top of the towel rod.

As a result, she literally has to throw the towel on the rod to get it there.

Think about this. She has to completely turn (to get a towel) There are no safety rails in her tub area to provide support. What happens when soap and slippery floors are added to this scenario? What could happen when she removes her glasses while bathing? Suppose the telephone or door bell rings, she is distracted, and needs to get the towel, and hurry out of the tub?

My recommendation:

Lower the towel rod and the hand held shower rod (you saw in the previous post.) due to the excessive height location. The placement of both were extreme fall risk hazards for her. I also recommended a non slip bath tub mat, and the addition of safety rails, as well as an easily accessible telephone.

Stay safe and healthy.

Dr. Vanessa