An improperly installed grab bar can be worse than no grab bar at all
SARASOTA, Fla. (PRWEB) October 18, 2022
In the fall of 2017 Age Safe America first declared “Grab Bars are the New Seat Belts”, and today the company is even more fervent about the use of this simple solution to help reduce falls and protect life. The original campaign coincided with the launch of their well respected Senior Home Safety Specialist® certification. When the company first launched this important campaign, four times as many Americans 65+ died of unintentional falls than in auto accidents. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a wide-ranging report calling for action from public and private sectors to work together to reduce senior injuries at home.
“As senior safety advocates, home service providers and healthcare professionals, we all have a responsibility to make it clear to family, friends, customers and clients, that Grab Bars are not an option, they are a mandatory safety device for preserving health and independence,” said Steven Bailey, Managing Director Age Safe America, LLC
Five years later, the ‘Grab Bars are the New Seat Belts’ campaign will coincide with the launch of their new Grab Bar Training. Age Safe America is joined by remodelers, first responders, healthcare providers and safety professionals in echoing this very important message to consumers. By taking the simple action of installing grab bars, Americans can significantly reduce trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults, and the skyrocketing cost of fall-related injuries. Many older adults lack the simple, helpful equipment like railings, grab bars, shower chairs and other inexpensive devices that make it easier to continue living at home.
The Grab Bar Training course provides a thorough understanding of the importance of grab bars for the health and safety of a client or family member. Grab Bars are the single most important home safety modification you can provide. They prevent falls, save lives, and reduce hospital re-admissions. Grab Bars can be installed in bathrooms, hallways, kitchens, bedrooms, doorways, the garage and exterior areas of a home. The use of grab bars can mitigate the risks of falling, provide peace of mind and help maintain independence, yet proper grab bar installation is essential.
“An improperly installed grab bar can be worse than no grab bar at all,” says Chris Moore, President of Solid Rock Enterprises, Inc., a highly respected aging in place building and remodeling contractor and CAPS Instructor, based in Salem, Virginia.
The purpose of this course is to provide description of generally accepted practices for residential installation of grab bars through instructional presentations and videos; along with real world insights with clients. This 2 hour self-paced online course covers topics from style and location selection, to fundamental installation techniques and industry best practices, to client and family communication techniques. You can go here to register for the Grab Bar Training course. Upon successfully completing the course, graduates receive an attractive certificate along with a digital copy of the course emblem for use in their marketing, social media and public relations efforts.
According to Census Bureau data, 48 million households (39%) include at least one person age 65 or over, one person with a disability, or both. And about 1 in 8 households have a member who uses a mobility device for a long-term condition. Grab Bars are not only for seniors and people with disabilities. Fact is, 53% of bath Injuries involve people between the ages of 25-64. Grab Bars are for everyone in the family!
"We believe the message, Grab Bars Are The New Seat Belts, is a uniquely impactful memory to many; who today would not think to drive without buckling-up. Hopefully this campaign will motivate us all to take steps now to reduce preventable fall injuries in the home, for our own sake and the safety of our aging parents," said Fritzi Gros-Daillon, Director of Education for Age Safe America, LLC.
About Age Safe America, LLC
Age Safe® America is a leading brand in the burgeoning aging-in-place industry, respected by thought leaders, universities, healthcare professionals, associations, governmental agencies, entrepreneurs, non-profits, and Fortune 100 companies. Age Safe® America was founded in 2015 to help older adults live safely and independently at home. Age Safe® America is led by recognized experts in fall prevention, home safety, aging-in-place, home modification, and marketing to aging boomers. Age Safe® America provides training, certifications, consulting, product reviews, and resources to empower professionals, businesses, and consumers. To learn more please visit: https://agesafeamerica.com
