title: Falls--hiding behind curtains.
abstract: Reported in this paper are the outcomes of a retrospective investigation into falls in toilets and injuries sustained by 29 elderly, frail, yet independently ambulatory aged people (mean age 86.21 years) in a residential aged care facility. It was hypothesised that the white or pale coloured curtains that had replaced walls in some toilet cubicles contributed to the falls and injuries. During the six months for which data were reviewed nine of the 29 independently mobile people fell in the toilets, seven in the cubicles with the curtains. This latter group sustained 100 percent of the injuries. It is concluded that curtained cubicles create an additional hazard to the elderly in this particular setting. Recommendations are made to improve the situation.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014038:Toilet Facilities