How to Make Bathrooms Safe for Seniors
Dec 19, 2019The bathroom serves as the setting for countless fall-related injuries that send more than 235,000 individuals to the emergency room every year. The vast majority of these victims are seniors, whose limited mobility makes navigating slick, hard-to-access surfaces into a particularly dangerous feat. But vacating a familiar home, even for a safer environment, isn’t always an appealing option for these individuals. So what’s a senior to do?
If you or a loved one wants to age in place, then you may find yourself asking this question frequently. Fortunately, you can find plenty of answers. During a bath remodel project, a skilled installer can upgrade bathing fixtures for easy access and install grab bars that provide stability and support. Read on to learn which upgrades make the most impact when it comes to creating a safe bathing space for seniors.
Roll-In Showers
Sometimes called barrier-free showers, these installations sit flush against the floor. This allows those with limited mobility to enter and exit the roll-in shower without needing to clamber over a high threshold. It also allows those in wheelchairs direct access to the shower, making it relatively simple to transfer to a bench or stool for bathing. And there’s no need to worry about puddles on the bathroom floor since the shower base gently slopes inward towards the drain.
Shower Seating
A fixed shower seat—one that is attached to the enclosure walls—serves as a source of support while bathing. Instead of trying to maintain balance on a slick surface while washing one’s extremities, seniors can settle on an unmoving perch. From here, shaving one’s legs or scrubbing between the toes won’t require the flexibility of a contortionist or the precision of a tightrope walker. This relatively small upgrade can make a world of difference creating safe bathrooms for seniors.
Walk-In Tubs
For those looking to make their bathing experience more relaxing, walk-in tubs can combine safety with a spa-like experience. Low thresholds and ergonomic seating eliminate the need to climb into and out of the tub, while inset grab bars provide plenty of support during navigation. But it’s the additional features that make walk-in tubs so special. Many manufacturers, like Jacuzzi, equip their walk-in tubs with whirlpool jets and air bubblers to provide seniors with a truly rejuvenating bathing experience.
Grab Bars
The towel racks and shower curtains that many seniors cling to for support as they navigate their bathrooms simply weren’t designed to handle the additional weight. This is why investing in grab bars, which can be mounted both inside and outside a bathing enclosure, makes perfect sense. Available in finishes that complement existing faucets and showerheads, these bathroom accessories combine safety with style.
Storage Accessories
Soap, shampoo, conditioner, body scrub, loofas—bathing accessories can add up quickly. And the last thing that anyone wants is to trip over this vast collection while navigating a tub or shower. Making a bathroom safe for seniors, and anyone else for that matter, requires incorporating designated, out-of-the-way storage spaces. A soap shelf or inset wall caddy will perform this function nicely.
Upgrade Your Bathroom Today!
Are you ready to lower the risk of experiencing an injury in your bathroom? Morgan Bath & Shower can perform a remodeling project that will make things safer for seniors and those with limited mobility. And the best part? We can complete most bath remodel projects in as little as a day. Contact us now to schedule a complimentary consultation in the comfort of your home.