Why You Should Install Grab Bars in Your Home

October 27, 2022

Only a few years ago, grab bars were only found in hospitals and nursing homes. Though they were highly functional, style was not a consideration at all. Truth be told, they all looked alike, and they were pretty unattractive.

Times have changed. Today, you'll find grab bars in fancy hotels and private homes. They can feature distinctive styles and good looks that blend into their surroundings as if they were part of the original design. Some bars are straight, others are curvy. Some attach to the wall at both ends. You can move others out of the way when you're done with them. And grab bars now come in enough colors to satisfy every decorator.

Grab bars can help anyone stay safer in the bathroom. You don't have to be old or have physical limitations. You could still be enjoying 18 holes of golf every weekend or taking yoga classes. Grab bars are simply an excellent precautionary measure to include in your home when and if you need them. 

They will still help you climb into the tub or stand in the shower. They will steady you while you reach for the hand-held shower. They help you get on and off the toilet. They can even keep you from slipping on wet tile.

So, the question now is what to look for when you’re shopping for grab bars for your home.

The Three Types of Grab Bars

• Wall-mounted grab bars are the most stable. They attach to the wall at both ends. You can position them any way you want. Some people like grab bars to be vertical - pointing up and down. Other people feel more secure when they grab a bar that is horizontal - stretching from side to side.
• Some grab bars attach to the wall at only one end. They connect to a hinge right at the wall. When you're not using these grab bars, they rest against the wall. When you need support, just pull them out to where you need them most.
• Sheltering arm grab bars provide the best support for getting up and sitting down on the toilet. These grab bars come around both sides of the toilet. They look a little like the armrests on a chair. 

Will It Hold You?

A grab bar won't be much use if it doesn't hold you up when you need it most. Don't buy a bar unless it will hold up to 250 pounds. And be sure you install the bar correctly so it can do its job.

You must attach a grab bar to your wall studs or to blocking in your walls. If your walls don't have blocking, add it by nailing a piece of plywood into the studs. The plywood should be ¾ inches thick and 6 to 12 inches wide.

Don't screw a grab bar into sheet rock. It will pull away from the wall. If you are holding onto the grab bar when this happens, you could be seriously injured.

Can You Grab It Easily?

Your grab bar should have a diameter that is approximately 1¼ inches to 1½ inches. Choose a bar that has a textured surface. This will make it easier to grip.

The amount of space you leave between the grab bar and the wall is also important. For most people, that space will be 1½ inches. You should be able to fit your fist to fit between the grab bar and the wall. Don't make the space too large, though, which could cause your arm to become wedged between the wall and the bar.

For maximum safety, one or two grab bars should be installed by the toilet, up to three in the shower and/or bathtub and anywhere else in the bathroom where someone would need help to balance themselves or to stand up.

Even with grab bars, there’s no way to predict when a fall may occur or how severe it will be. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared. Protect yourself with a Medical Air Services Association (MASA) plan today. MASA provides coverage from emergency medical transportation bills and protects you from the expensive cost of ground and air ambulances. A trip to the Emergency Room is stressful enough – the bill for the ride doesn’t have to be. IRTA and AMBA offer MASA and joining is easy. You can even sign up online. Learn more at www.AMBAmedtransport.com or call 877-290-3170.

Source: https://seniorsafetyadvice.com/where-to-put-grab-bars-in-a-bathroom/

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