As we grow older, we naturally lose our mobility, balance, and strength, and doing even the basic chores becomes a challenge. For older adults, slippery areas like the kitchen and bathroom can become a safety hazard. In the US alone, unfortunate incidents of bathroom slips and falls are among the leading causes of injuries, fractures, and even death in seniors over the age of 65.
Slippery floors, high curbs, and raised bathtubs create hazardous environments and make it difficult for seniors to use the bathroom or follow their hygiene routines. Whether you’re already in your golden years or have an elderly to take care of, it’s important to increase your bathroom’s accessibility and safety.
Luckily, there are numerous ways to enhance a bathroom’s safety and increase its accessibility for both senior adults and disabled individuals. If you’re planning a bathroom remodel any time soon, here are some useful and practical tips to create an accessible, secure, and efficient bathroom for older adults:
Replace Raised Bathtubs with Accessible Walk-in Tubs
Senior adults often find it extremely difficult to maintain a balance while stepping over the edge of a raised bathtub. These bathtubs require physical effort, balance, and coordination that many senior adults lack, especially those who have mobility issues or problems with their joints and back.
If your bathroom has a raised bathtub, replace it with an accessible walk-in tub to address these challenges. Walk-in tubs make it easier for older adults to step in and out without crossing over the curb, which helps them maintain their balance and reduces the risk of falls.
Consult a renowned bathroom remodeling company like Zintex Remodeling Group that offers accessible bathroom designs with a lifetime warranty. A team of experts will help you choose the right type and size of walk-in bathtub depending on your accessibility needs and individual design preferences.
Built-in seats enhance both comfort and security during a bath and are particularly beneficial for seniors with joint problems, disability, or mobility issues.
While there are many design and material options to choose from, go for low-maintenance walk-in tubs. Since low-maintenance walk-in tubs keep the tub’s surface clean from slimy mold, they effectively reduce the risk of slips and falls.
Install Hardware with Lever Handles
Round doorknobs, cabinet knobs, and faucets are difficult to use for some older adults. It’s nearly impossible for seniors with a finger or hand joint problem, rheumatoid arthritis, or hand impairment to grip or turn round knobs. On the other hand, lever handles don’t require much effort and are a fantastic option for designing an accessible bathroom.
Replace any round-shaped doorknobs with lever handles and use easy-to-grip handles for cabinet doors and drawers. Swap traditional round-shaped faucets and water taps with lever faucets. Touchless bathroom faucets and foot-operated faucets are also great options for bathroom sinks.
Installing a new faucet isn’t a complicated task. But if you’re dealing with plumbing or sensor-based faucets, it’s best to consult with a professional first.
Install Grab Bars and Handrails Near the Toilet Seat and Shower
Grab bars are perhaps the first thing that comes to your mind when you plan to design an accessible bathroom. Grab bars provide much-needed support for older adults to maintain balance when using the toilet or stepping over a curb. Similarly, handrails allow for better mobility and balance in wet areas like showers and bathtubs and keep older people safe from slips and falls.
Install grab bars and handrails carefully throughout the bathroom. Map out the usual route to each area of the bathroom and install handrails along the path to provide sturdy support to older adults all the way through. Be sure to grab bars properly near the toilet and shower so that older people can grip them firmly without moving their arms at an uncomfortable angle or putting too much pressure on their elbows. You can easily install grab bars and handrails yourself or hire a professional to anchor them perfectly to the wall.
Remove Curbs from the Shower Area
High curbs in the shower are a safety hazard for older adults. It’s generally difficult for them to step over the curbs, primarily if they use a wheelchair or walking aid. Moreover, many senior adults lose their ability to estimate the height and distance of objects as they grow older. This is why accessible washroom designs typically focus on removing any curbs in the bathroom, particularly in wet areas.
However, removing curbs doesn’t mean you have to maintain a flat surface in the shower area. A curbless shower usually has a slight slope leading to the shower area, which is comfortable enough for both disabled and older adults to walk through. This slope not only improves safety but also ensures that water remains contained within the designated shower area.
Adjust the Height of All Bathroom Fixtures
Older adults often complain about sudden jerks and pressure on their joints when they sit on the toilet seat. Even a slightly lower toilet seat can make it difficult for seniors to get on and off the toilet or move from a toilet seat to a wheelchair. To address this challenge, look for toilet seat models with a raised design or customize the toilet seat’s height. Ask a professional plumber to adjust the height to the most comfortable level, preferably at the knee level of the senior. This will ensure that the individual doesn’t have to bend their knee while sitting on the toilet and can easily get up without putting pressure on their joints. You can also go for toilet seats with built-in handles for additional support.
Besides the toilet seats, lowering the height of the sink and countertop makes it easier for older adults to use the bathroom independently. It may help especially if they use a wheelchair or have mobility problems.
Slip-Proof the Floor
A slippery floor can be life-threatening for senior adults. They become even more hazardous when they get wet. Luckily, there are numerous options to make your bathroom safe and allow stable footing. You can choose non-slip flooring materials for your bathroom floor, such as naturally-textured tiles and slip-resistant vinyl. Besides floor material, you can add another layer of safety to your bathroom by simply placing non-slip mats and rugs in the shower, around the toilet seat, and near the vanity. Non-slip tape is another low-cost option to slip-proof curved areas like shower pans and tub bottoms. These simple measures make your bathroom more accessible for senior adults and greatly reduce the risk of slips and falls.
Wrapping Up
Safety, accessibility, and convenience of use are the most important aspects to consider when you design a bathroom for older adults. The upgrades mentioned above can transform any ordinary bathroom into a safe and accessible space for both senior adults and physically impaired individuals. Instead of DIYing these upgrades, we recommend hiring a reliable bathroom remodeling company to ensure that the work is done to a high standard.