Remodeling Your Bathroom With Aging in Mind
913-717-6325
913-717-6325
As with growing age, bathroom safety becomes one of the major concerns for adults to deal with. Narrow doorways, slippery floors, and outdated fixtures just make the daily tasks challenging. There is a rising risk of falls and discomfort in the bathroom while using it for seniors. But with some modifications, you can easily transform your bathroom into a safe and comfortable space.
Some of the effective suggestions in this area include installing new walk-in showers, widening doorways, having smart tech gadgets for special purposes, and using sufficient lighting and safety options.
Keep on reading to learn some effective upgrades that you can make in your bathroom to improve the functionality and safety for the elderly.
Here we have listed some must-have remodeling suggestions you can incorporate in your bathroom with aging in mind:
With aging, it is no wonder that elders suffer from limited mobility, arthritis, or balance issues. Traditional showers and bathtubs with high thresholds increase the risk of sudden falls and cause injuries. And that’s the point: a walk-in shower would be a lifesaver for them.
With low or no thresholds, elders can safely enter and exit. It even minimizes the risk of slips and falls. Seniors with mobility issues or balance problems can easily access the bathroom.
Some showers often have built-in seating with handheld showerheads. Overall, it adds a new layer of safety. The best you can incorporate the shower setting with thermostatic controls. It will prevent scalding and ensure a safe shower experience.
Standard toilets often sit too low, which creates difficulties for aging adults to sit down and stand up without strain. It just leads to knee pain, back discomfort, and even falls, which is even more painful for the individual with arthritis or balance issues.
Comfort-height toilets, typically 17–19 inches high, will be the best solution in this instance. It perfectly matches the natural sitting posture and eases joint and muscle pressure. For patients who are recovering from hip replacements, back surgeries, or knee operations, physiotherapists may recommend a raised toilet. It is important for safe healing.
Even the increased height of the toilet helps seniors with any physical disabilities or mobility issues. It helps them sit down and stand up without straining their knees or back. You can add side rails for additional support and stability.
Grab bars are the safety devices that are mostly used in the bathrooms near showers, bathtubs, and toilets. It is installed to have a secure handhold to help people manage balance and their weight. While remodeling your bathroom, you must install grab bars staging with the bath for the elderly for easy access and improved mobility.
Consider high-quality grab bars with grooved surfaces that help in firm holds even with wet hands. To install the grab bars, choose the high-risk zones in your bathroom. These include:
Make sure to mount the grab bars at least 33–36 inches high from the floor and into studs or with the needed anchors.
With aging, there is an even higher chance of sudden risk of slips and falls, which usually leads to serious injuries. All you need is an anti-slip flooring that creates a stable base and reduces the risk of falls. It even provides the best traction for walkers, canes, and wheelchairs and prevents skidding.
You can install the non-slip flooring in the bathroom, kitchen, stairs, hallway, or any other place where slipping is more likely to happen. By reducing the chances of upcoming risks, the elderly can walk through their homes without any hesitation.
Though there is a wide range of non-slip flooring options available, you can choose either rubber flooring or vinyl flooring. It provides an exceptional balance between the flooring and the movement. Consider placing mats, tapes, or special coatings that don’t easily slip out.
If you have all the older fixtures and outdated setups in your bathroom, it is time to upgrade to better safety and convenience. Though they may look fine, you are not out of hidden risks with aging.
For example, traditional round knobs, slippery faucet handles, and small drawer pulls require extra pressure or frequent hand and wrist rotation.
It often becomes challenging to deal with the one who is suffering from arthritis or limited hand strength. Replace your current fixture models with ergonomic, lever-style handles.
For the hardware setup, you can install large D-shaped cabinet pulls, which are much easier to use than the small round knobs. Consider reaching out to the remodeling expert in Kansas City, like those you will find at Wineteer Construction, to have better guidance in this instance.
Beyond all the necessary adjustments, ensure to have enough lighting throughout your bathroom. It is important to improve the visibility, reducing the risk of falls. As people age, their vision gradually declines, and it is often challenging to complete tasks in a low-light environment.
Use bright or fluorescent strip lighting to help seniors navigate the bathroom safely. These types of lights easily reduce shadows and dark areas.
Also, you can choose low-level LED nightlights or motion-sensor path lights, which are good choices for brightness and energy efficiency as well. Motion-sensor path lights work well to automatically illuminate when they detect movement.
Wider doorways are the must-have remodeling tips for your bathroom, especially to help access wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility-supportive elements. It is important to improve the safety and ease of movement. Standard doorways are often too narrow, typically around 28 to 30 inches. Widen them at least 32–36 inches.
It’s also important to have no step or bump at the bottom of the doorway so that wheelchairs can roll smoothly. Most of the remodeling experts suggest adding sliding or pocket doors, too. It saves space and makes movement easier.
A securely attached vanity is important to create a safe environment in the bathroom, especially for elderly people. Traditional vanities are often built on the floor, which more likely creates a barrier for seniors who use wheelchairs or walkers.
Instead, wall-mounted sinks and vanities offer an open layout that improves accessibility. Without a cabinet at the bottom, the wheelchair can easily roll right under the sink, or someone can sit comfortably.
Seniors who are concerned about using the bathroom with aging can use smart gadgets in their bathroom setup to automate essential tasks, reduce physical strain, and alert caregivers for emergencies.
The right bathroom technology not only makes things more convenient but also helps address some real concerns. This includes fall detection, temperature control, and hygiene.
Some useful features you can include in the smart bathroom are:
Having a senior-friendly bathroom is about safety and accessibility. With the right remodeling choices, you can turn a risky space into a supportive environment for the senior.
Starting from walk-in showers to improved lighting, all you need is careful planning in all aspects. Reach out to our remodeling experts to have a professionally designed and reliable bathroom set up for ultimate convenience in aging.