Have you ever thought about how to make a senior friendly bathroom? There are so many different changes that occur with age. Your vision gets a little foggy, you start to develop mobility issues, and you can’t seem to lift heavier objects. You might need a little help with making your bathroom more senior-friendly, but don’t worry; there are ways to make the place better while also being cost-effective and practical at the same time. Read on to find out!
Add A Bathroom On The Ground Floor
As people age, they may find it difficult to go up and down the stairs. Many aging adults prefer to live on the ground floor, where the bathroom is easily accessible. Unfortunately, many ground-floor bathrooms are not designed for seniors. The bathroom can be enlarged and wheelchair-accessible, with grab bars and a lowered sink. This will make it much easier for aging adults to use the bathroom independently. It will also be safer, as they will not have to worry about falling while trying to use the toilet or take a bath.
Make Sure The Bathroom Is Big Enough
One of the most important things to consider when renovating a bathroom for aging adults is that it is big enough. A too-small bathroom can be frustrating and dangerous for those who need to use it. It’s important to make sure there is plenty of space for them to move around and also enough space for storage of toiletries and other items. Having more space can make it easier for them to get in and out of the shower or bathtub and make it more comfortable for them to use the toilet. If you have the budget, consider adding a walk-in shower or even a small ramp so those with mobility issues can easily get around.
Raise The Height Of The Toilet Seat
One of the most common problems aging adults run into when using the toilet is experiencing difficulties when bending or squatting. Standard toilet seats have a long standing and sitting distance which makes it worse for the elderly to use the toilets comfortably. The solution is to raise the height of the toilet seat to reduce the sitting/standing distance. An elevated toilet seat chair is one of the simplest ways to raise the toilet height as there is no need to make any changes to the current toilet.
Keep Everything Within Easy Reach
Everything in the bathroom should be easily accessible. This is especially important for the small items that a person may have difficulty finding in a large space, such as a toothbrush or toothpaste. If someone is struggling to find these items in a large bathroom, then it can lead to frustration and stress. This can be a difficult concept to understand for people who don’t have aging parents, but it is very important to consider when planning a senior-friendly bathroom.
Get Rid Of Slippery Surfaces
One of the most common bathroom problems for aging adults is slippery floors. This can be a problem when you have older adults who have difficulty walking. There are a few things you can do to solve this problem. One is to invest in hard-surface floors. These are usually non-slippery floorings like terracotta tile, quarry tile, or other materials like rubber. Rubber flooring is an excellent option for the elderly because it is slip-resistant even when sprayed with water.
