Living together with a family member that is getting older means having to adjust things in order to help them stay safe and independent. Unfortunately, when we are talking about the bathroom, moving things around just won’t do.
If bathrooms are dangerous for us as young people, imagine how a senior feels, especially if mobility is an issue. Luckily, there are several things that you can do, to make them feel comfortable and safe and that’s what we’re going to talk about today.
Handrails are a must!
They assist with balance when walking, sitting, or standing up and that’s why they have to be on the top of your list. The good part is that nowadays, you can combine style with safety and buy handrails that match the design of your bathroom and make it look less rigid, they just blend in the picture and you can barely notice them.
Add a walk-in shower
For those seniors that have stiff joints, who use a walker, or who are wheelchair-bound, a tub/shower combo simply won’t work. A walk-in shower offers easy access and a comfortable bathing experience. For extra safety, you can talk to a specialist and add a chair, extra grab rails and an anti-slip mat.
Install a higher toilet
Often, elderly people suffer from weakness in their muscles, as well as knee and back pain. This can make getting back up off from a low toilet problematic and even dangerous. Thankfully, there are higher toilets available that make standing up much easier. Such toilets are often referred to as “chair height” or “comfort height,” and they can make all the difference in the world—especially when combined with handrails.
Consider a non-slip floor
The regular bathroom floor is very dangerous for an elderly person, so it makes perfect sense to consider a non-slip floor. If adding a new floor is just too expensive for you at the moment, don’t panic! You can add some anti-slip mats to avoid accidents.
Optional: this is totally optional, but if you have the budget for it, you can also install a walk-in bath tub. Being old doesn’t mean that you can enjoy a relaxing warm bath and this tub is specially designed for the senior’s needs.
These are just the basic things that you can do in order to have a senior-friendly bathroom. My advice in this case, is always to consult a specialist that will help you make the right choices for you and your loved one.
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