Unexpectedly hazardous bathroom trash can

[SusanRN]

Many years ago I switched from glass bathroom accessories to decorative plastic for safety reasons. I assumed this would protect me from serious accidents -- wrong!
Two weeks ago I fell in the bathroom while bending over to wrap my long hair in a towel to dry after a shower. I lost my balance and fell over, hitting my ear on the top of the hard plastic trash can, which is 8" square with a 1/4" thick edge.
It nearly severed the top half of my ear, including the cartilage!
Sixteen stitches in the ear and two staples in my scalp clearly demonstrate my poor assessment of the risk.
The stitches were taken out yesterday. Thank goodness, the ear looks good as new.
I now sit firmly on the toilet seat before bending over to wrap up my wet hair. I also have ordered a Rubbermaid trash can with a thick rubber edge -- looks be damned.

 

[DeniseM]

Wow! What did they say in the ER? I bet it really bled!

 

[SusanRN]

It was bleeding a lot, yes.
I'm 74 and live with my daughter, her husband, and their 4 kids, ages 5 - 15. My daughter is an ER nurse at the local hospital and happened to be home, fortunately. She had the 15-year-old apply pressure on the wound while she got me dressed and in my jacket.
And it certainly didn't hurt when we arrived at the ER that it was one of their nurses bringing in her own mother.
It wasn't until after we got to the ER that we figured out what I had hit, since I did not know. The 12-year-old let us know she found blood on the top of the trash can while she was cleaning up
Given that I have poor balance and have walked with a cane for ten years, I am very fortunate that this was my first ER visit since 2016.
My post here is just to alert people to carefully evaluate their environment for hazards. I would not have anticipated the potential lethality of that trash can -- after all, my eye could have hit the corner....!

 

[pedro47]

My internal medicine physician has warned me about fallen in the bathroom shower and to stop using my 3 foot ladder, because of my age.

SusanRN, I'm praying for your speedy recovery.

 

[Talent312]

I'm a bit surprised they didn't refer you to physical therapy.
That seems to be my doc's answer to every balance issue.
.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Whoever stitched you up was very skilled. I’m glad you’re not more severely injured.

 

[SusanRN]

My internal medicine physician has warned me about fallen in the bathroom shower and to stop using my 3 foot ladder, because of my age.

SusanRN, I'm praying for your speedy recovery.

Thank you, Pedro47. Yes, ladders are treacherous. My daughter's 80-year-old father-in-law died a few years ago after falling off a ladder while cleaning out his gutters. He could easily have afforded to pay someone, but maybe it was hard to find help....really unfortunate.
Yes, I've read that 75% of falls in the elderly happen in the bathroom. I just added to that statistic!
When we moved into this house five years ago I had extra railings installed throughout the house so there is one on both sides. I also designed a handicap shower for my area downstairs, including a grippy tile floor, three large grab bars, and a handicap teak seat (meaning it has to fold up and down with less than 5 lbs of pressure). It's been perfect. I can stand for my shower but sit to shave my legs. Eventually I'll probably want to sit to shower, but for now I'm good. I do need those grab bars, however, especially for safely getting in and out.
I'm all about function over form, although I do like "pretty". In my bedroom, which is next to my bathroom, my bed sits in the middle of the room, which looks odd, but it's placed so that the headboard acts as a railing for walking to the bathroom door during the night. My son-in-law had extra rubber matting after laying some down in our gym area, so I asked him to put it in my kitchen area. I haven't fallen there, but I feel better knowing there's cushioning.

 

[SusanRN]

I'm a bit surprised they didn't refer you to physical therapy.
That seems to be my doc's answer to every balance issue.
.

The ER didn't, but my internist has in the past. I would go for 10 or 12 sessions at least once a year for several years. PT is definitely helpful, but mostly because it *makes* you exercise. Many of the exercises can be done at home but, of course, people stop once they stop PT, which is true of me.
I try to go to a gym twice a week with my grandson, except if there's snow or ice in my driveway. It definitely strengthens my legs and arms and improves my balance.
I also recommend free videos on YouTube by "Bob and Brad", who are physical therapists. [Bob had a stroke a couple years ago and no longer participates, but the old videos are available and Brad now has new assistants.]

Bob and Brad, physical therapists

 

[pedro47]

Thank you, Pedro47. Yes, ladders are treacherous. My daughter's 80-year-old father-in-law died a few years ago after falling off a ladder while cleaning out his gutters. He could easily have afforded to pay someone, but maybe it was hard to find help....really unfortunate.
Yes, I've read that 75% of falls in the elderly happen in the bathroom. I just added to that statistic!
When we moved into this house five years ago I had extra railings installed throughout the house so there is one on both sides. I also designed a handicap shower for my area downstairs, including a grippy tile floor, three large grab bars, and a handicap teak seat (meaning it has to fold up and down with less than 5 lbs of pressure). It's been perfect. I can stand for my shower but sit to shave my legs. Eventually I'll probably want to sit to shower, but for now I'm good. I do need those grab bars, however, especially for safely getting in and out.
I'm all about function over form, although I do like "pretty". In my bedroom, which is next to my bathroom, my bed sits in the middle of the room, which looks odd, but it's placed so that the headboard acts as a railing for walking to the bathroom door during the night. My son-in-law had extra rubber matting after laying some down in our gym area, so I asked him to put it in my kitchen area. I haven't fallen there, but I feel better knowing there's cushioning.

Thanks for sharing those two photos. I need to install those handicap items in both of our bathroom.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I am so sorry you had this happen. Injuries can be devastating as we age.

 

[Patri]

Pretty tiles, Susan.

 

[SusanRN]

Thanks for sharing those two photos. I need to install those handicap items in both of our bathroom.

If you're really handy, you can probably DIY. I found a professional home improvement guy who did my bathroom, including widening the doorways to accommodate a walker/wheelchair, if eventually needed. He also had to change the electrical circuits in my bedroom, which I created from a large nook in the finished lower level. It already had a huge walk-in closet with shelves.
BTW, I *do not* recommend those suction grab bars. My son-in-law put one in my old shower years ago. It gave way at one point -- very scary.
The home improvement guy did have a little trouble attaching the teak bench to the wall in such a way that it would slide up and down easily. The company that sells the bench was very helpful when he called and the issue was resolved easily.
Notes I wrote to a friend at the time:
The floor tile is white porcelain "pebbles" with a Coefficient of Friction greater than 0.60 and therefore ADA-compliant. Plus, the pebbles are different sizes and therefore require quite a bit of grout, which I specified to be "sand grout," which improves the grip of my toes.
I did a lot of research in order to incorporate all of the features I thought I could reasonably need at some point. For example, the bench is nearly as wide as the shower, so would provide an easier transfer if I need to slide in or out of a wheelchair. I also had the bench installed 3" higher than usual, which allows me to stand up without "pushing off" from the seat as I normally need to do from a chair. I also had both of the bathroom doorways widened to 32", which makes them wide enough for a walker or wheelchair.

Items in my shower:

30" Wide Teak ADA Wall Mount Shower Bench Seat

Every Teak ADA Shower Bench Seat by Teakworks4u is built on a heavy-duty ADA compliant frame with multiple battens that form a comfortable seat. Get yours now.

www.teakworks4u.com

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Rain-Forest-polished-pebble-tiles-5-Pack-White-12-in-x-12-in-Polished-Pebble-Mosaic-Floor-Tile/1000955698

Good luck!

 

[clifffaith]

My internal medicine physician has warned me about fallen in the bathroom shower and to stop using my 3 foot ladder, because of my age.

SusanRN, I'm praying for your speedy recovery.

I pulled over a chair to step up to reach a bulb in a light fixture hanging over the kitchen table. I’m standing there, and standing there, and my leg looked up at me and said, nope, not today, not ever again. It was the weirdest feeling, the signal to step up was simply short circuited. And that was at least eight years ago.

 

[WinniWoman]

Wow! So sorry this happened to you, but glad you’re ok!

We did a few things to our little cottage when we bought it like some grab bars around the house, etc. plus when I had my spine surgery I had to get stuff like a small walker, raised toilet seat that could accommodate my bidet attachment, a shower chair ( though I have a built in one- but don’t have a hand held shower head to reach it yet), stuff like that. But I’ve stored them away for now.

But I do have the suction cup grab bar because I didn’t want to put holes in the one piece shower surround. However- I don’t actually grab it- I just use it as a focal point for balance instead of the wall.

Getting older is not for sissys that’s for sure. I’ve been really feeling it since my mid 60’s and I’ll be 70 this year and feel like I’m 90.

 

[SusanRN]

Getting older is not for sissys that’s for sure. I’ve been really feeling it since my mid 60’s and I’ll be 70 this year and feel like I’m 90.

So true, Mary Ann!
I'm 74 and have been using a cane for 10 years. I still go out and about by myself but have been using grandkids to run in stores for me more lately. I did driver rehab 4 years ago. They added two gadgets to my steering wheel, and I had to take a driver's test -- just like the 16-year-olds.
Aside from my walking and not much use of my left arm, I'm in good health, fortunately. Exercising definitely makes me feel stronger.
Good luck to you.
Susan

 

[WinniWoman]

So true, Mary Ann!
I'm 74 and have been using a cane for 10 years. I still go out and about by myself but have been using grandkids to run in stores for me more lately. I did driver rehab 4 years ago. They added two gadgets to my steering wheel, and I had to take a driver's test -- just like the 16-year-olds.
Aside from my walking and not much use of my left arm, I'm in good health, fortunately. Exercising definitely makes me feel stronger.
Good luck to you.
Susan

I’ve been exercising every day since I’m 38 (now I do 5 days) and I keep saying what good has it done when I’m in pain every day now?

I know people much older than me biking like 26 miles per day, hiking up mountains, skiing, working jobs, traveling everywhere , etc. people in their late 70’s and 80’s. I even read about people in their 90’s doing stuff.

I know I shouldn’t compare myself with others.. My doctor says those people are outliers. I feel like I’m the outlier! lol!

There are certainly many people who haven’t even made it to my age I know. I do the best I can I guess. We have to be thankful.

Our doctors tell me and my husband we are healthy. We say how can we be healthy?

I mean I hurt every day. I can only walk 2 miles and I often limp if the pain kicks in. I have a mucus/phlegm problem- a plug in my throat- that the docs haven’t cured. GERD or allergies or no one knows what. I have high cholesterol and triglycerides. I need cataract surgery.

My husband had a massive heart attack and 5 stents put in. Has high blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol. A thyroid nodule they monitor. Just had prostectomy surgery and cataract surgery on one eye ( waiting to get the other done.

This is healthy?

Seriously I do tell myself it could always be worse. Many people have it a lot worse.

But I will say this all came about real fast after retiring at 62 for me and almost 66 for my husband. I am surprised how fast.

Anyway, didn’t mean to hijack your post.

I’m curious, what is this drivers rehab you speak of? And what gadgets were put on your steering wheel?

 

[Talent312]

A few years ago, I did a tub-to-shower conversion due to my late wife's Parkinson's. I insisted that the contractor leave the old wall tile that was MT 30" from the floor, separated by a border-tile. Why? I had installed that tile myself and had an emotional attachment.

 

[easyrider]

PT is definitely helpful

Alternating sitting and standing can help with balance. It's actually a physical therapy that can be performed at home. I think it's called chair rises. Other balance type exercises that are easy but beneficial for balance include standing on one leg, heel to toe walk, side leg raises and squatting. You can Google these exercises.

Bill

Sit to Stand Exercise: Tips and Recommended Variations

Learn how to do a sit to stand exercise to help with lower body strength and mobility, plus modifications to make it easier or harder.

www.hingehealth.com

 

[moonstone]

Oh my goodness what an accident! Your ear looks good and glad it healed well. A walk in shower, especially with bench, is great for us older folks. I was wishing we had a nice big one after I had my knee replacement as I needed a shower seat and it didn't fit in our little ensuite shower stall. I had to use the main bathroom tub/shower and portable shower chair but it was difficult to get my leg over the side of the tub for the first few days.

When a home care assessment person came to my dad's house before they would release him from the rehab facility (where he went for 3 mos after falling down the basement stairs and fracturing his pelvis at 85yrs old) she was glad to see that Dad had installed grab bars when he renovated their bathroom many years prior. Unfortunately my mom wouldn't let him remove the tub and make a big shower stall because she still loved a bath (& she was far more agile than dad). The woman also commended dad on putting a vertical bar at the entrance of the tub and then horizontal ones on the other walls. She said a vertical bar when grabbed near the bottom would prevent a wet hand from sliding sideways and possibly causing a slip/fall on a horizontal one when stepping in/out of the tub. I bought dad a shower chair to go in the tub as well as a hand held shower with an extra long hose and he managed quite well.

I love your tile choices. I will look into the same flooring when we are choosing tiles when we get our FL condo ensuite tub removed and a large shower put in later this year.


~Diane

 

[SusanRN]

I mean I hurt every day. I can only walk 2 miles and I often limp if the pain kicks in.

Mary Ann, I am very sorry to hear about your chronic pain. That is a horrible situation. First of all, if walking a long distance causes pain, I wouldn't do it, personally. I use a recumbent bicycle or stepper at the gym for knee/leg exercise. It still builds muscle and lubricates the knee joints. Also, have you consulted a specialist in pain management? -- and I don't mean docs who will just throw oxy at you, if they still exist. There are many successful approaches that do not use medication.

I’m curious, what is this drivers rehab you speak of? And what gadgets were put on your steering wheel?

Tomorrow I'm going to start a new thread about rehabilitative driving, in case others are interested. I'll address the gadgets there.
Susan

 

[SusanRN]

BTW, this is the terribly dangerous weapon that cut my ear

 

[WinniWoman]

Mary Ann, I am very sorry to hear about your chronic pain. That is a horrible situation. First of all, if walking a long distance causes pain, I wouldn't do it, personally. I use a recumbent bicycle or stepper at the gym for knee/leg exercise. It still builds muscle and lubricates the knee joints. Also, have you consulted a specialist in pain management? -- and I don't mean docs who will just throw oxy at you, if they still exist. There are many successful approaches that do not use medication.

Tomorrow I'm going to start a new thread about rehabilitative driving, in case others are interested. I'll address the gadgets there.
Susan

Mary Ann, I am very sorry to hear about your chronic pain. That is a horrible situation. First of all, if walking a long distance causes pain, I wouldn't do it, personally. I use a recumbent bicycle or stepper at the gym for knee/leg exercise. It still builds muscle and lubricates the knee joints. Also, have you consulted a specialist in pain management? -- and I don't mean docs who will just throw oxy at you, if they still exist. There are many successful approaches that do not use medication.

Tomorrow I'm going to start a new thread about rehabilitative driving, in case others are interested. I'll address the gadgets there.
Susan

Thanks. The thing is I like to go outside. Lots of hills here though. But even walking on flat areas can be an issue. I also have an indoor bike and gazelle and I use them a lot in winter plus my hand weights, etc. In summer I can at least swim and float around in the lake and pool.

I haven’t been to pain mgmt. I am so sick of going to doctors between me and my husband. I occasionally take expired 800 mg Motrin. I have oxy in my medicine cabinet since my surgery and have never taken it except the first week after surgery. And that was a few years ago.

I look forward to your thread on the driving rehab.

 

[pedro47]

BTW, this is the terribly dangerous weapon that cut my ear

Is that a glass or a plastic trash container. I have that plastic container in my bathroom right now.

 

[WinniWoman]

Is that a glass or a plastic trash container. I have that plastic container in my bathroom right now.

It’s hard plastic.

 

[WinniWoman]

We actually don’t keep trash cans in our bathrooms. Our bathrooms are very small. We do have one just outside the master bath in our master bedroom. It’s a metal wire type one. Very light. We line it with a plastic grocery store bag.