ELIO Led Grab Bars and barrier free bathrooms
Chef Wong there are studies being done into the success of these LED Grab Bars in hospital studies. I believe the Doctor researching the subject is Dr. Margaret P. Calkins (
http://www.ideasconsultinginc.com/pages/StaffBios.asp) and I had the pleasure of listening to her speak on the subject of paitent safety and vision related falls.
Another White Paper study in Spain has shown that these safety improvements help patients navigate from bed to toilet and the soft light is easy and not blinding on the eyes.
The waterproofing measures are simple ones and the design of the mounting hardware allows a through hole to be drilled away from the mounting screws. I would think some Kerdi Fix would do the job perfectly.
My father in Law as we speak is in Lions Gate hospital - the result of a fall and not being helped for almost 3 hours. He did not fall in the shower and he did not trip over anything. His fall the result of reaching out for support and grabbing his rolling chair - not the best plan.
Any improvement in safety is welcome in my books.
I will be offering these LED grab bars to my clients and installing them for those in need. Even if the bar is not hardwired they look great and are wonderful to touch. I find stainless steel hammered metal to be an institutional look and one I do not care for. Many medications can affect a persons vision and in the early morning hours and nightlight of any kind can improve the ease of finding the toilet in the dark.
Night lights and such should be in my opinion wired to a timer or photocell switch. My father in law has enough to remember just taking is pills at the right time of day - running around at night switching on night lights I'm sure not one of his priorities - but it should be.
A few of these ELIO LED Grab Bars would have looked great in this barrier free shower we wrapped up last year. My client offered up the stool for my father in law and when I stopped by I snapped a few pictures of the equipment I purchased. Building a bathroom as a barrier free design open the doors to many more years of enjoyment. This bathroom has no tripping hazzards and offers up the safety of a one way slope.