Bathrooms are among the most important rooms for seniors aging in place, as sturdy yet user-friendly features must be present, including widening doors and installing lock-proof doorknobs.
Installing a shower seat and raised toilet are also excellent ways to minimize falls, while anti-slip mats provide another effective measure for increasing safety.
Walk-In Showers
With age comes decreased strength and mobility; activities that once seemed straightforward can become challenging to perform as we age. Climbing stairs and entering and exiting tubs become particularly dangerous if someone has limited mobility; therefore a bathroom renovation with accessible features is crucial if an older individual wishes to lead an independent life as they age.
One effective way to increase accessibility and safety at your home is to switch out your tub for a walk-in shower. Not only will this make bathing simpler, but it will also lower risk of falls or injuries related to stepping over high tub edges. You can further add comfort and safety by installing grab bars, non-slip flooring or even an integrated seat in your installation.
Walk-in showers are ideal for bathrooms that are smaller, as they eliminate the need for tub curtains while creating an open space. Our angled walk-in design takes up less floor space while its glass enclosure helps maximize natural light in the room. To give this walk-in an individual touch, we added tiles in various sizes for a beautiful mosaic that blends into its surroundings seamlessly.
As you explore your options for an aging-in-place remodel, look for bathroom renovation contractors with experience working on ADA-compliant projects. Inquire about their past works, credentials and guarantees or warranties offered so that you’re certain you are selecting an experienced professional. To learn more about Gilbert Design Build’s professional bathroom remodeling services and how we can help create an age-friendly space contact us now.
Raised Toilets
Toilets are typically installed at a height that suits most individuals, yet navigating these can be more challenging for those who suffer from lower leg weakness or limited balance. Raising the seat height makes toileting safer and more pleasant for seniors by decreasing distance between sitting and standing on them.
Raised toilet seats are an affordable solution that can easily fit most standard toilets, including those with elongated bowls. Designed to sit atop an ordinary toilet seat and include padded support arms for additional stability when sitting or rising from it, most styles of raised toilet seats available on the market integrate seamlessly with typical designs of toilets for an aesthetically pleasing bathroom aesthetic. Some feature hinges to fold upward when not required while others can even be locked in place to guarantee maximum safety and peace of mind.
One of the key aspects of age-friendly bathrooms is making it easy for caregivers to assist patients in performing basic activities like going to the bathroom. People living with limited physical conditions are at greater risk of falling or injuring themselves while trying to move alone; by installing a raised toilet, injury risk for both the individual and his/her caregivers is significantly decreased.
Installing grab bars and rails near the toilet seat, shower, tub and near it are an effective way to make any bathroom more elderly-friendly and cost-efficient for older adults living in your home. This approach provides easy and cost-efficient accessibility improvements without increasing costs or disruption.
Wider Doorways
Doorways can often pose difficulties to individuals with limited mobility. With this simple modification, they can move freely around their home without assistance from others – improving both quality of life and independence.
Seniors living independently will find greater independence when they can move freely around their living spaces, managing personal hygiene, household tasks and daily tasks without needing help from others. This enables them to build confidence and self-esteem as well as reduce feelings of dependence or powerlessness over their life.
To enlarge an existing doorway, our construction workers first remove any casing surrounding the doorframe and skirting board to protect drywall behind it from being damaged. After inspecting and clearing out electrical wires from behind it, our contractors carefully cut into it to widen it further if necessary, while light switches and power outlets may need to be relocated as well.
After expanding a doorway, our team will install the new door frame and re-instal skirting board and casing, adding a door to fill any opening and making any necessary adjustments to its swing.
Reversing door hinges allow doors to open 180 degrees, making access easier if your bathroom is located on an upper level of your house or difficult for older adults or those with balance issues who require additional support when getting up or moving from room to room. They’re particularly beneficial when bathrooms are hard-to-reach due to being situated further back. Reversing hinges also offer support when lifting heavy objects over obstacles in the home as well as assistance when getting out of bed or moving between rooms.
Adjustable Storage Solutions
Accessible and convenient bathroom storage is essential for seniors to keep all of their toiletries, cleaning products, towels and other essential items within reach – thus eliminating the need to bend, stretch or reach too far, which may result in injury. Cabinets with pull-out drawers, open shelving or wall-mounted storage that can easily be adjusted can help. Widening doorways and providing enough floor space can also increase accessibility in the bathroom.
Slippery floors can be a leading cause of injuries among elderly individuals. To reduce this risk, install non-slip mats or rugs with easy gripping material on existing tile and hardwood flooring surfaces – or layer textured tiles over existing flooring for additional support and safety.
An effective modification for those aging-in-place is adding grab bars or safety rails near the toilet and shower area. These handy accessories help stabilize people when sitting or standing up, decreasing the likelihood of falls. With many styles from no-frills to designer options available, choose the ones best suited to your space before having them professionally installed for maximum safety.
Grab Bars
Grab bars are an invaluable addition to the bathroom for weak or disabled individuals in need of extra stability, providing safe entry or exit of slippery showers or tubs, keeping their balance while bathing, or using the toilet without help from caregivers. They are particularly popular among facilities that serve an aging and disabled adult population.
Falling is one of the primary causes of serious injuries among seniors, and bathroom accidents can often occur there. Making your bathroom senior-friendly will lower risk and save money in medical bills should an accident happen in your home or family member.
Addition of bathroom grab bars is an easy and cost-effective way to make the home safer for senior citizens. Available in various styles and sizes, these safety aids make selecting the appropriate option easy: choose straight grab bars that attach directly to the side of your bathtub; free-standing grab bars; or ones featuring 2-in-1 design that serves both as toilet paper holder or shelf for shower supplies.
Wall grab bars come in many different colors to complement your bathroom decor and installation is generally straightforward and does not require professional assistance. It is essential to install them correctly to ensure they remain securely anchored to the wall and have sufficient weight-bearing capability, with drilling into your walls doing minimal damage should you decide to take back off later.