A common problem in aged care is tripping and slipping, and bathrooms are especially high-risk areas. Thousands of injuries per year occur in bathrooms, and the majority of these accidents have a long-term, negative impact on the mobility and quality of life of those affected.
Shower and bath mats are a popular choice to eliminate the hazards of slipping, however they rarely provide effective slip-resistance in wet and soapy conditions. In addition, they create hygienic issues as they are extremely difficult to keep clean.
Olivet Aged Care in Ringwood, Victoria, recognised these risks for their residents, particularly for Irene (85) who requires daily care and support from a professional carer. The support rails, shower mat and seat did not offer the level of protection required for Irene’s safety and she remained at risk of slipping.
Therefore, Olivet Aged Care chose to install Swiss GriP Non-Slip Bathroom on the acrylic shower base. Swiss GriP is placed in the highest class for slip-resistance in wet and soapy conditions. The virtually invisible and transparent coating requires no special cleaning procedures due to its water and dirt repelling characteristics and can be applied to all surfaces.
The coating has greatly benefited Irene and her carer. ‘Installing Swiss GriP Non-Slip has a direct positive impact on the safety and well-being of elderly and aged-care residents,’ says Jelmer Stellingwerf, managing director at Swiss GriP Australia. ‘Not only does our non-slip coating eliminate slipping risks, it is safer and more efficient for the carer, thus saving energy and time.’
A 2019 study under carers in Australia highlights that older people experience long-term psychological distress due to the fear of falling. A majority of carers see slipping and falling risks as a major safety risk for their patients and themselves. One of the conclusions of the study was that non-slip surfaces must be in place.
The reality is that many surfaces in the bathroom remain slippery in wet and soapy conditions. ‘Most of the tiles and tubs on the market only get tested for slip-resistance in dry conditions,’ explains Jelmer. ‘This gives a false sense of safety and is one of the reasons why so many slipping incidents still happen.’
Swiss GriP Non-Slip Bathroom is the only aftermarket non-slip solution which has been certified for slip-resistance in wet conditions. It scores a P5 slip rating (SRV 76) for barefoot areas, the best possible safety class. The coating can be installed by end customers with the Swiss GriP Application Kit or by one of Swiss GriP Australia’s certified technicians.
‘The feedback from our customers is often overwhelming. The simple step of having our non-slip coating installed can make a huge difference in terms of safety,’ says Jelmer. ‘Giving back a bit of independence and peace of mind to our customers makes our job very worthwhile.’
Swiss GriP Australia provides installation service throughout Victoria. Read more about our non-slip solutions for aged-care here.
Contact Us
Contact us today for a free consultation, quote or sample. Email us at info@swissgrip.com.au or call us at 03 7020 2041.
Swiss GriP on an acrylic shower Swiss GriP on tiles 
Close-up of Swiss GriP on tiles
