New criteria for assisted toileting and bathing options gives elders extra protection in 2021 Building Codes
Building codes continue to evolve to assure the utmost comfort and accessibility for older generations.
Growing older can come with many challenges and changes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year, one in four Americans over the age of 65 fall. Even worse, every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall, and every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.
According to National Institute on Aging, the majority of falls take place in the bathroom — 80% to be exact. The floor can get wet and slippery, and there’s an increased risk of tripping or falling getting in and out of the tub or shower.