People tend to experience many physical changes as they age. This often means they must modify their surroundings in order to ease these changes. For instance, they may need a cane to assist them with balance issues. Or they may experience issues with their eyesight, requiring them to obtain prescription lenses or glasses. In both cases, whatever modifications are incorporated into their lives today may let them live independently for many years to come.
Most senior citizens wish to keep their independence as they enter into their elderly years. If this is the case, it is possible to incorporate a variety of design adaptations in different home areas in order to accommodate the process of aging in place.
For the elderly, bathrooms are the most dangerous space in a home. Actually, 80% of the falls experienced by the elderly take place in the bathroom. Knowing this, it is crucial to take fall-preventative design options into consideration.
Such decisions should let elderly people live independently and effectively but, most importantly, safely. Fortunately, numerous choices can fit the personal style and individual needs of an individual.
Although safety must be the number one priority in bathrooms designed for aging in place, aesthetics should never have to be a compromise. A variety of distinct design choices may be incorporated into a bathroom remodel. Such ideas can let elderly individuals maintain their independence as they age, enjoying their surroundings and ensuring the home remains attractive to the homeowner themself.
Zero-Threshold Shower
Also referred to as curbless showers, zero-threshold showers do not make it necessary for anyone entering to step over a barrier. The floors in such showers are inclined, allowing any water to drain properly.
As stepping over a curb is not necessary, these are ideal showers for senior citizens.
Non-Slip Flooring
In the design process of a bathroom meant for aging in place, it is essential to consider the materials. The materials used for the floors in bathroom remodeling are particularly important. Some tiles and other varied flooring choices may become incredibly slippery when they get wet, making them a possible safety hazard for senior citizens. For this reason, it is essential to select non-slip flooring for bathroom renovations.
Ranging in texture and prices, slip-resistant bathroom flooring choices tend to be the ideal option for anyone choosing to age in place. Natural stone and ceramic tile are among the most ideal aesthetically pleasing options.
Shower Seating
Bathroom remodeling contractors can incorporate shower seating which lets elderly individuals and seniors sit while they bathe. The benefit of sitting while showering allows seniors to move around as little as possible and keep their independence. Built-in shower benches are ideal elements of a bathroom meant for aging in place.
Improved hygiene is among the most important shower bench benefits. In many cases, seniors will not bathe because they are afraid of slipping and falling. Traditional bathrooms present many risks that could lead to a slip and fall. Remodeling companies can include a built-in shower bench that allows elderly individuals to feel secure and safe when they bathe, meaning they are likely to bathe more frequently, reducing any risk of urinary tract infections and skin issues.
Height of Toilet
Aside from the seat in your shower, another crucial bathroom seat is that of the toilet. A toilet seat’s height may additionally be an essential element when it comes to safety in a bathroom.
As we age, our mobility may become more and more limited, meaning standing up from and sitting on a toilet can become quite difficult. Traditional toilets tend to be too low which can be a major hurdle for those with limited mobility. are incredibly limiting when mobility is lacking. Remodeling contractors can install a toilet that is higher, which is advised by the ADA and can assist seniors with maintaining their independence.
Standard toilets tend to be fifteen or sixteen inches off the floor, where high toilets are generally between seventeen and nineteen inches from the floor. A higher toilet seat puts reduced pressure on knees, making sitting and standing easier for seniors.
Aside from toilet height, a few other toilet features must be taken into considerations such as flushing technology, style, and bowl shape in bathrooms meant for aging in place.
Grab Bars
Slippery floors, water, and soap tend to be a dangerous combination for the elderly. If shower safety is a main concern, shower bars can be an excellent inclusion that assists seniors in showering safely and keeping their independence. During shower bar installation, they should be installed in spots where a hand might reach naturally if a person is off balance. Additionally, it is crucial to install one bar at the entrance of a shower so that elderly individuals may enter and exit with ease.
Although grab bars have historically been unattractive, several current options are much more aesthetically appealing. Today’s market boasts a variety of trendy choices that allow you to keep your design style while ensuring the safety of your bathroom. Aging in place is possible in a bathroom that promotes independence and is attractive at the same time.
Bathroom Design for Aging in Place
The majority of people wish to keep their independence for as long as they can. In terms of their homes, a variety of certain design decisions can assist elderly individuals in taking care of themselves independently as the years pass. Bathrooms play a major role in this theory.
If you seek a bathroom design that allows independence to be maintained during the aging process, whether for yourself or for a loved one, several crucial elements must be considered. Shower seating, flooring and style are essential factors to take into account during an updated bathroom design for aging in place. Such features assist in the mitigation of potential risks as well as the promotion of safety.
What is the best element? When installed by bathroom remodel companies, these bathroom enhancements tend to be sought-after by homebuyers and are aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Go ahead and install a senior-friendly, safe bathroom while being stylish and fashion-forward at the same time. When you seek to update your bathroom, reach out to one of our team members so they can assist you in getting going.
