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George Bentley - ArticlesGeorge E. Bentley, Esq. is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, and known nationally as the "Consumer's Advocate and Attorney." He is the leading expert on walk-in bathtubs, ADA guidelines and independent living issues in the US, and author of "The Ultimate Guide to Buying Walk-in Bathtubs". He founded Bentley Baths - The Amazing Walk-in Therapy Tub Company to help seniors and their loved ones learn about walk-in and handicapped bathing technologies. He is proud to be an authorized dealer, factory trained or personally knowledgeable about virtually any product in the market. He will gladly answer your questions for FREE and will is honored to help you work through your education and walk-in bathtub decision-making process. They can be reached by e-mail at George@BentleyBaths.com or phone at 800-688-0055. The company website is http://www.BentleyBaths.com
The amazing products that you can trust! – Part IIn 2002, my life took an unexpected turn. One day, my Mother fell in the tub and broke her hip. I was not prepared for the downward spiral my Mother’s health went through following that fall. The hip injury set in motion what I now know to be a very common pattern of health problems that directly led to her dying in a nursing home in 2004. The 7 most common features of every Bathroom - Part XISimple design of the bathing equipment is the key to safe and efficient use of the product. In the case of the elderly, simplicity is synonymous with age-sensitivity. It requires avoiding complicated gadgetry, removing physical demands that contribute to emotional stress, and utilizing easy-to-use mechanical means of assistance. Cultural compatibility of bathing fixtures is essential to providing safety. The 7 most common features of every Bathroom - Part XEasy reach for bathers and care-providers is critical. To achieve this, position all accessories and controls within comfortable reach. Appropriately placed wall mounted storage greatly increase reach. Their placement must be carefully examined and the final location thoroughly tested on the basis of individual needs. The 7 most common features of every Bathroom - Part IXGetting in and out of the tub is the most critical aspect of bathing independently. It is also the most difficult aspect of providing care. Poor balance and fear of falling greatly affects people's ability to make safe transfers. Awkward tub shape, inadequate maneuvering space and slippery floor conditions greatly adds to problem. The 7 most common features of every Bathroom - Part VIIISafe and accessible bathing is not solely a concern of the elderly, disabled and those caring for them. It is of utmost importance to all people irrespective of their age, sex and cultural background. Eliminating accidental deaths and injuries is of prime importance in creating a safe bathing environment. The 7 most common features of every Bathroom - Part VIIMany family care-providers experience very high levels of mental stress from providing care to their relatives. Emotional stress is the most difficult part of being a family care-provider, who sometimes are themselves older and have other family responsibilities. In addition to looking after other family members, many work outside their homes as well. The 7 most common features of every Bathroom - Part VA majority of persons have difficulty using integrated level type controls. Even though they felt it was easier using such a control, the difficulties were due to: 1) the problems of understanding the color-coded signage for water temperature and flow, 2) the complex operational demands of the faucets requiring two simultaneous actions, push and turn, or pull and rotate, 3) the non-standard nature of these operations. The 7 most common features of every Bathroom - Part IVBathing dependence varies greatly between people and their physical conditions. Ability to bathe independently did not depend on any one factor. For example, a 63 year old female with left sided paralysis, hip replacement and arthritis in the sacroiliac was dependent upon being bathed, while an 85-year-old woman with arthritis, impaired vision and shortness of breath bathed independently. The 7 most common features of every Bathroom - Part IIII had honestly never thought about this issue until I did the research. Now, it seems so obvious to me. As we age, our range of motion, flexibility and grip strength lessen. Faucets, drains and valves are very difficult to operate safely. Other problems were largely due to inadequate reach, poor grasp and low level of thermal sensitivity. Many individuals indicated that because of their inability to "reach low," using controls from the outside of the tub was virtually impossible. The 7 most common features of every Bathroom - Part IIMost people prefer to soak in a tub when they bathe. But lack of safe lowering and lifting devices means that many older people, people with joint or muscles issues and heavier people can no longer soak. They lack the strength, flexibility and support to get up and down in the tub safely. Unfortunately, the desire to soak is so strong that many people create elaborate and risky processes to be able to continue to get down in the tub.
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