Safety Bathroom Remodeling Tips for Aging in Place

Safety Bathroom Remodeling Tips for Aging in Place

The bathroom is an important area of the home for seniors who have mobility and balance problems. Injuries from falls in the bathroom can be serious and sometimes fatal for elderly people.

Sharp countertops and cabinet edges, slippery floors and hard surfaces are common fall hazards in bathrooms. The National Institute on Aging says 1 in 4 senior citizens will fall at least once a year, and bathroom injuries are particularly deadly after the age of 85.

 

Grab Bars

Whether you’re a senior living in your own home or someone who works with seniors, grab bars play an important role in bathroom safety. They provide support for balance, prevent falls and make transfers easier to perform.

Putting these safety tools in place early can help ensure you stay safe and independent as you age. They can also help reduce stress in your life, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to continue enjoying your daily activities with confidence and independence.

For elderly individuals, they may be especially helpful in showers and tubs because the floor can be slippery when wet. They can help seniors maintain their balance and avoid falling while getting in or out of the shower or tub, and they can also be used to prevent a fall while walking up and down the stairs or moving from room to room throughout your home.

The American Geriatrics Society notes that bathrooms are one of the most common places for slip and fall injuries. For this reason, installing grab bars around the bathtub or shower and near toilets is an important part of a bathroom renovation for aging in place.

Depending on your specific needs, you may choose to install permanently affixed safety bars that are secured to the wall or suction-cup style grab bars that can be installed and removed quickly and easily. Regardless of the type you choose, always ensure they meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for a safety bar.

 

Curbless Showers

Bathroom safety is crucial when aging in place, and curbless showers are one of the best ways to make your bathroom safer for seniors. These units do not have a ledge or raised floor and are perfect for people who need help getting into and out of the tub.

Another important benefit of a curbless shower is the open design it provides. It eliminates the need for a shower door and a traditional threshold that can accumulate dust, bacteria, and moisture, making it easier to clean.

Curbless showers are also available in a wide variety of designs and styles to suit your unique needs and preferences. You can even get them made to mimic marble or natural wood.

In addition to the aesthetic benefits, they can also be used to enhance a room’s functionality. Many homeowners choose to install them in a bathroom that has limited space, as they allow for more openness and can make the room feel more spacious and modern.

However, a curbless shower isn’t without its drawbacks. The most notable is that it doesn’t have a linear drain, so it can be difficult to keep water from escaping into the rest of the bathroom. If this isn’t addressed correctly, it can cause a lot of damage to the floors and walls underneath. It’s a good idea to consult with a contractor or plumbing expert before installing a curbless shower in your home.

 

Non-Slip Flooring

Slippery floors are a common problem for elderly people, and they should not be ignored when designing an age-in-place bathroom. Luckily, there are a number of flooring options that are non-slip.

One popular option is textured tile, which provides traction and a sense of grounding. This can help to prevent falls and reduce the likelihood of accidents.

Another alternative is vinyl flooring, which is also slip-resistant. This type of floor is available in a variety of styles and colors.

Choosing the right bathroom floor is a big decision, and one that deserves your attention. It’s important to choose a flooring material that will not only look good but provide you with the most safety possible.

Many types of flooring are classified by their ADA-approved slip ratings. These ratings are based on how easily a person can fall when standing or walking over it.

These ratings are also useful for assessing the sturdiness of certain flooring materials, so it’s worth knowing which ones are likely to be most durable in the long term.

A slippery surface is especially dangerous for older adults who may have limited mobility. This is why it’s critical to design an accessible bathroom that can be easily navigated by those who may need a bit of assistance.

 

Shower Seating

If you’re remodeling your bathroom for aging in place, one of the most important elements to consider is shower seating. This will ensure the safety of your loved one while bathing and allowing them to maintain their independence.

A seated shower can help reduce the risk of falls, which are common among seniors. Additionally, they will allow your loved one to take advantage of the opportunity to relax and unwind while getting a good shower.

There are a wide range of shower seats available. Some have built-in benches, while others are fold-down styles. Regardless of the type, it’s important to choose one that’s appropriate for your needs and lifestyle.

Shower benches can be used as storage space, a comfortable place to sit during showering or while taking a bath, and they’re also aesthetically pleasing additions to the bathroom. For instance, this Dallas-area master bath features a subway-tiled shower bench that’s topped with quartz.

Some benches also have built-in storage and are tiled to match the shower wall.

The bathroom team designed this bench with a glass-topped knee wall that curves outward, giving it a sense of openness and allowing it to fit within the shower area. The bench’s blockier shape also makes it easy for homeowners to stand on it without worrying about injuring themselves while bending over.

 

Smart Toilets

Smart toilets are a great way to add convenience and safety to your bathroom. They’re touch-free, self-cleaning and often more water-efficient than standard toilets. They also help hygienic seniors, those with disabilities, and people who have chronic illness or injury maintain their independence in the restroom.

They may cost several thousand dollars, but they’re a worthwhile investment for many people. Some even have a variety of health-related features, such as detecting cancer markers in urine or feces or monitoring vitals.

Other smart toilets collect and transmit data to caregivers or their loved ones. This allows for easier monitoring of their health.

The toilet’s artificial intelligence also scans the bowl after use to note changes in color, shape and firmness that could indicate a medical condition or illness.

These features can be particularly useful for older adults who have memory issues and need to maintain their independence in the bathroom. Some also have automatic lid opening and closing. This can be especially helpful for seniors with arthritic hands or those who are unable to pull down a lever or push a button on a small toilet handle.

 

Accessible Storage

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home and a vital place to stay safe when aging in place. Making a few simple changes can make day-to-day living easier for seniors and give family members peace of mind.

For instance, grab bars in the shower can help a senior keep their balance while taking a bath. They can also reduce the risk of slips and falls.

Similarly, installing a towel rack near each shower or tub can be a good idea. This will reduce the distance an older adult has to walk when grabbing their towels.

In addition, a toilet organizer that provides shelf space above the toilet can be a nice addition to an aging-in-place bathroom. It removes the need to reach down to grab items, which can increase a senior’s risk of falling.

Storage solutions like this are available at many locak shops and are a great way to add extra storage space to an aging-in-place bathroom. They eliminate the need to open cabinet doors, which can be painful for elderly hands.

Many people find that they need more storage in their homes. Whether you’re moving to a new home or just need some additional space in your current one, you can ren tor buy one.

As ABC Kitchen and Bathroom remodeling, just call us to get information about our modern bathroom remodeling projects that are suitable for the needs of our elderly.