Bathroom is a personal space where we lock ourselves inside and in a rather weird way, feel secure the most.
For seniors, the bathroom space may not be the most secure place, especially if it is locked from inside. The reason being, most fatal falls happen inside the bathrooms.
While the reasons for falls could be many however the solution is only one i.e. the emergency response time. It is the first responders, be it family or care givers who face the challenge.
The biggest question is, how to open the door if a person has fallen inside the bathroom?
Since the location of the elder in the bathroom cannot be pinpointed hence the task at hand becomes ever more problematic.
Breaking down the door could be a solution but then, what if the door falls on the elderly, what happens if the door is unbreakable or what if the door hits the head of the person while opening?
The best way to address this issue is by replacing the locking system with a two way door opener.
A door knob which can be opened from both sides or a locking system similar to a airplane toilet which shows occupied or vacant can be replaced with the existing latch.
If replacing the bathroom lock is not possible then the main room door knobs could be replaced and the bathroom could be left unlocked.
Ideally a spare key to the bathroom lock should be hanged outside the bathroom / room door or kept at a place which is accessible to all.
Falling inside the bathroom is not a scene from a suspense thriller movie, it is a reality which is faced by many elderly people.
