We provide this free safety resource to visitors of the Community Room of SeniorSSuperStoreS in an effort to keep baby boomers, seniors and the elderly informed of matters that can affect their health and lifestyle.

"In 1998, falls in the home and community caused or led to 15,900 deaths. All age groups are vulnerable, but older adults are most at risk. Eight out of 10 of those killed by falls are over age 65, and falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among the very elderly, those over 80.

"Falls are the number one cause of injury death for males 80+ years old, the number one cause of injury death for females 75+ years old, and falls are also the leading cause of injury and hospital admissions for older adults.

"It may come as no surprise that the most serious injury resulting from such falls is hip fracture. Yet many of us would be shocked to learn that more than 24% of all people suffering a hip fracture die within a year of the fall and another 50% never return to their prior level of mobility or independence.

"Of fall-related deaths, 41% take place in the home, 14% in residential institutions and the rest in other public places, according to the National Center for Health Statistics."

For years, hotels, motels, nursing homes, hospitals and other public institutions providing bathing facilities, have been concerned about their liability for falls in tubs and showers. In response to this, manufacturers developed products to treat the entire bottom surface of tubs and showers - much more effective than rubber mats and adhesive strips. Historically, there were sold exclusively to public facilities and upscale hotels and motels, but not for general household use.

Just recently, companies have started making the products available for the general public and home use: the TreadSafe Tub and Shower Slip-Resistant Treatment Kit can be applied in only a few minutes.. Learn more about it and buy it in our Safety Products department. (Because of the chemical makeup of the product, it cannot be used on fiberglass surfaces, but all others.)

We also feature a number of canes, walkers, bathroom grips and bed rails - all designed to help reduce falls among seniors - in our Mobility and Lift Seats department and our Bathing & Grooming department.