Unfortunately, falling in the shower is a common accident, especially for seniors and those with limited mobility. Bathroom slip and falls can lead to a severe injury that requires the attention of doctors and other medical staff, including follow-up rehab care.
While most falls will require medical attention, there are steps you must take immediately following the incident to protect yourself from further pain and additional trauma. Here is what you can do to help yourself after an unfortunate fall in the shower.
It is common to begin panicking after slipping and falling in the shower. However, it is imperative that you try to remain as calm and level-headed as possible in order to avoid further injury or put yourself in any other dangerous situations.
Remain on the floor and breathe deeply. Take a steady deep breath in, hold it for a moment, then slowly let that breath out. Repeat this process a few times and stay calm until you can think straight and come up with a plan. A clear mind is better able to make decisions and good decisions are critical in emergency situations.
Shut off the water if you can do so without getting up. Then remain still in the bath to minimize the risk of another fall. Your first priority is to protect yourself and prevent further injury.
Sitting still will help your body regain composure and prevent dizziness. It will also give you some time to dry off if you are still wet.
Once you are calm and thinking straight, it is time to assess the damage. Slip and fall accidents can come with some devastating injuries, and many of them need to be taken care of immediately.
Check over your entire body and look for any signs of bleeding, head injury, or extreme pain throughout your body and limbs.
Unless there is someone else in the home that can get into the bathroom to help you out, you may have to take the initiative to administer first aid after the fall. It is important to get off of the shower floor as soon as you are safely able to do so in order to get the medical attention you need.
After a slip and fall in the bathroom, it is crucial to take caution and stay safe when you are attempting to get up, especially if you are injured. Avoid sudden or panicked movements, as these will only make your situation worse.
You want to find a way to bring yourself to an upright position and safely get out of the tub if it is safe to do so. Try grabbing a towel to dry the toilet and other slippery surfaces, then use the toilet to help you steady yourself and pull yourself upward. If needed, sit on the toilet for a moment to gather your strength and re-assess any pain or injuries.
A bathroom is a dangerous place, and because many surfaces tend to be wet frequently, the risk of an accident occurring is substantially higher than in other areas in your home. That is why it is so important to keep first aid kits in bathrooms. Your first aid kit should be well-stocked with bandages, pain medications, and other emergency supplies, so check it frequently and ensure that it has the supplies you need.
If you are hurt or injured at all, immediately apply first aid care while still sitting on the toilet. Remember that your first priority is to protect yourself and prevent aggravating your injuries or experiencing another fall.
If you are bleeding, apply pressure to the wound immediately. If you hurt your head and feel like you may pass out or are dizzy, refrain from standing up and crawl to a phone to contact 911, family, friends, or a doctor.
If you realize you have some minor cuts and don't believe your injury is too serious, clean and treat the laceration. Once the injury is clean seek medical attention or contact a doctor for advice.
A fall in the shower is a common household accident that can lead to broken bones, head wounds, and other painful medical problems. Apply ice to any injury while awaiting the advice of a doctor.
Many times someone injured from falling in the shower will require a trip to the ER to assess an injury and minimize the chance of future complications or missed diagnosis. Because it is difficult to communicate from a bathroom to call for help, emergency communication systems are highly recommended. There are systems designed to automatically detect a fall and others designed to call for help upon pulling a cord. If you or someone you love has mobility issues, a disability, or are advanced in age, it is well worth it to install an emergency communication system in case of a fall, particularly in case others are not present in the house at the time the fall occurs.
Even if you are able to get up and move around on your own after a fall, injuries should be assessed by a medical professional. If you are seriously injured in a slip and fall in the bathroom, a visit to the Emergency Department of your local hospital will likely be required to assess your injuries, perform scans, and provide essential care.
If you happened to fall in the care of someone else, it is essential to take pictures of any cuts, bruises, swelling, scrapes, etc. and document your trips to the doctor, ER, rehab center, and anything else that could have caused you distress or accrued medical bills so you can take the responsible party to court to seek compensation if needed.
Falling accidents can be avoided if places such as nursing homes, adult day care centers, residential living facilities, etc., take the proper precautions and provide the right equipment for their patients.
If you or someone you love suffer an injury in a slip and fall accident somewhere other than your home, you might have a court case, and keeping organized and detailed documentation is essential for winning your case. Though legal action may be the furthest thing from your mind, you may need assistance paying for your medical bills and expenses, so document everything.
Falls in the shower are often severe due to the hard surfaces, the momentum of fall from the standing position, and the small space around you.
Falling in the shower can lead to a slew of medical emergencies such as traumatic head injuries, broken bones, and even a spinal cord injury.
It is critical to look into fall prevention for yourself or someone you love who is at risk of falling in the shower. Some medical supplies you can purchase include a shower chair, bathtub handlebars, and a variety of other safety tools that are designed especially for bathrooms. A bathroom may seem an ordinary and innocuous place, but it is a particularly dangerous place for anyone who has mobility issues.
These durable pieces of equipment can provide much-needed stability during the bath or shower. Sitting is safer and allows easy access to all areas that need to be cleansed.
Safety rails provide an additional layer of protection and stability to help seniors and people with disabilities navigate the slippery and dangerous terrain of the bathtub or shower. A simple equipment installation can protect you or your loved one from an unfortunate slip and fall accident.
People with mobility problems can face a challenge when using a standard-height toilet. A toilet seat riser can help make toilets more accessible, reducing the risk of accidental falls.
After a slip and fall accident, you may need the help of physical rehabilitation. This will help diagnose your injuries from the accident and provide you with a treatment plan from scanning and testing to treatments, future doctor visits, liability cases, and more.
If you ever find yourself trying to decide what to do after falling in the shower, then it may be time to contact the professionals at Palm Wellness Center. Here you will be adequately cared for while your injuries are diagnosed and treated by experienced and professional medical staff.
If your fall took place in someone else care, Palm and Wellness are able to provide you with the proper paperwork and documentation regarding your medical diagnosis and treatment.
If you or your loved one has suffered from medical complications due to a devastating accident in the shower, Palm Wellness Center is the place to go.
Slips and falls in a bathroom are especially common amongst the elderly population and those with disabilities, leaving them with limited mobility. For information on rehab after a fall in the shower, contact Palm Wellness Center.
