Members - FREE

Non-Members - $20

Virtual Meeting 7:00 pm 

Please note - These sessions are not recorded for future viewing.

REGISTER HERE

Number of Contact Hours: 1.0

Facilitator and Speaker:  

Speaker: Becky Wright CAPS

Facilitator:  Susanne Giannitti OTR/L 

Summary of Event:

Title:  Grasping Independence: Bathroom Safety Solutions 

Grab bars are an essential safety feature in bathrooms, particularly for older adults, individuals with mobility challenges, and those recovering from injuries. These sturdy support devices significantly enhance bathroom safety by providing stability, reducing the risk of slips and falls, and promoting independence. One of the primary advantages of grab bars is their ability to assist with balance and movement in areas prone to moisture and slick surfaces. Bathrooms are high-risk zones due to wet floors, making them one of the most common places for falls to occur. Grab bars offer a secure handhold when stepping in and out of the shower or bathtub, lowering oneself onto a toilet, or standing up from a seated position. By providing extra support, they help individuals maintain their footing and prevent loss of balance. Proper placement of grab bars is crucial for effectiveness. Installing them near the toilet, inside the shower, and along bathtub walls ensures optimal support where it’s needed most. When installed correctly, grab bars can significantly decrease the likelihood of bathroom-related falls, improving overall safety and accessibility. Ultimately, they are a simple yet highly effective tool for preventing injuries and enhancing confidence in daily bathroom use.

Learning Objectives Attendees Should Achieve:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

1. Understand what it means to adapt a home to the changing needs of aging with particular attention to the bathroom environment.
2. Realize the benefits and advantages of vinyl coated grab bars.
3. Know where and how to install grab bars, particularly folding ones regarding “blocking”.

Bio/Background of the Speakers:

ConnOTA community of practice-perspectives in aging members are OT practitioners who work with older adults, have worked with older adults, or who are seeking to work with this population. Areas of practice include but are not limited to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities, home care, ALF, ILF, Adult Day Care, Senior Centers, as well as students, retirees, and those who teach older adult OT content. Members bring their expertise and skill set as well as questions and a strong desire to use social learning theory to learn, share, and pool resources and knowledge.

Mastery of group objectives is orally assessed.

This event is sponsored by Connecticut occupational therapy practitioners. ConnOTA is supporting this event by overseeing the award of CEUs for registered participants.