Access to bathtub grab bars: evidence of a policy gap.
This paper examines access to bathtub grab bars in privately and publicly owned apartment buildings and explores the profile of seniors who have access to bathtub grab bars. Results indicate that bathtub grab bars were significantly more prevalent in apartments that were publicly owned (91.3%) as compared to privately owned (37.8%) (p < 0.05). Results of a logistic regression for participants residing in non-universal-access buildings indicated that seniors were more likely to have grab bars in their bathtubs if they were older, were in poor health, had had a fall in the previous year, or used a mobility aid. Among those who did not have bathtub grab bars, 33 per cent reported fear of falling while bathing, 20 per cent reported difficulty bathing, and 23 per cent were found to have impaired balance. Findings are discussed in light of policy implications for universal access to grab bars, with apartment buildings being a logical place to start.
Edwards
Nancy
N
School of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M5, Canada. nancy.edwards@uottawa.ca
Birkett
Nicholas
N
Nair
Rama
R
Murphy
Maureen
M
Roberge
Ginette
G
Lockett
Donna
D
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001494:Baths / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D011638:Public Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*