Bathrooms are often the most difficult rooms in the home for seniors to navigate through. There may be tight corners, inadequate lighting, slippery floors, high bathtub walls, and more. If you’re considering remodeling a bathroom, think about how it could make senior living easier. According to the National Council on Aging, nearly three million injuries treated in emergency departments each year are the result of falls. By incorporating these products, you can make your bathroom safer for your elderly loved one.
Grab Bars
One of the most ideal investments for any bathroom is the installation of grab bars. These are much stronger than towel bars and are designed to be sturdy even if you have to put all of your weight on them. Grab bars are perfect for installing inside and immediately outside the shower, near the toilet, and anywhere else you think of in the bathroom. They can also give seniors peace of mind when they walk in the bathroom with slippery floors since they have reliable grab bars to hold and maintain their balance.
Walk-In Tub
A walk-in tub can be a luxury and a necessity at the same time. Independent senior living can be improved drastically when a person doesn’t have to take a big step to enter the bathtub. With a walk-in tub, you can open a door and walk in without having to take a big step and can sit down with ease. The risk of slipping and falling while getting in and out of the bathtub will decrease significantly when your senior loved one uses a walk-in tub.
Raised Toilet
Sometimes the standard height of a toilet is too low for seniors with physical limitations. A raised toilet seat can make it easier to sit down and get up without putting significant strain on the joints. Just remember to include grab bars as well for an even easier experience. Seniors and caregivers alike can enjoy the benefits of a raised toilet to ensure as much safety as possible.
Shower Seat
If you decide a walk-in tub isn’t right for you for any reason, then consider installing a shower seat instead. Sometimes even a ten-minute shower can be difficult for seniors with mobility concerns and can increase the risk of falling while exiting the shower. Many shower seats can be folded while not in use, or if there’s another person in the house who doesn’t need it when they take a shower. Resting for a couple of minutes on a seat in the shower can make the whole experience safer.
Next Day Access offers a wide variety of bathroom products to help you make your bathroom remodel as safe and elegant as possible. Even if you don’t have mobility concerns now, think about the future and what would make life easier for you when you get older. Grab bars are easy to install at any time, but a major upgrade like a walk-in tub could be very beneficial in the future. Don’t hesitate to contact us at any time to schedule your free home assessment and learn more.