
How to Make Your Bathroom Safe for Seniors
By: Monika
Aside from your kitchen, the bathroom ranks (on average) as the second most-often visited room in your home. It’s where you get ready for the day ahead, where your children splash and play before bed, where Fido gets a much needed bath, and where you soak away all the stress after a long, tiring day.
If you’re planning to stay in your home for the long haul, you may want to consider a bathroom renovation with long-term accessibility in mind.
Here are just a few ways to make your bathroom safe and easier to use for years to come.
Shower Bench
A shower bench is a stylish and comfortable way to age-proof your bathroom. Not only does it reduce your chances of slipping and falling while standing, it reduces the strain on your body, most beneficial if you have trouble standing for long periods of time.
Handheld Shower Head
This handy gadget reduces movement in the shower which, again, reduces the risk of slipping and falling. When installed near a shower bench, it also allows you to wash up while seated.
Grab Bars – Install a sturdy grab bar on the outside of your shower and one on each of your interior walls so you can safely navigate the space and have something to hold onto as you enter and exit the shower.
Higher Vanity – Raising the cabinet height to 34 ½ inches from the standard 31 ½ prevents you from having to hunch over to wash up, brush your teeth, or shave.
Comfort-Height Toilet – Comfort height toilets – usually between 17 and 19 inches high – make sitting and standing easier and reduce the strain on your knees and back.
Porcelain Wall and Floor Tile – Made to last and easy to clean, porcelain is a perfect choice for wall and floor tiles in an ageless bathroom. To help minimize cleaning, choose tiles with rectified edges that allow for thin grout joints.
Textured Flooring – Choose a flooring material that has a high slip resistance. Look for grooves or the feeling of texture. The slicker the tile, the higher your chances of a slip and fall.
Curb-less Shower Entry – This feature minimizes your risk of tripping over a step as you enter the shower; it also makes the shower walker- and wheelchair-accessible. Just be sure to properly slope the shower floor to allow water to drain correctly.
More home injuries occur in the bathroom than anywhere else, indoors or out. So, for more information or an on-site bathroom safety consultation, contact the home remodeling and plumbing specialists at PC Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling today.