Comfortable home shower designs for seniors
Reports from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) say that one in every three seniors over the age of 65 years suffer from a fall each year. With this value in mind, about 80% of these unfortunate events happen in the bathroom.
As we age so do our bodies which in turn affects our balance and mobility. There is also reduced coordination and strength, as well as failing eyesight. Therefore the slippery surfaces and cluttered floors in the bathroom can be hazardous to seniors.
There is progress in senior-friendly bathrooms, geared towards helping seniors navigate with ease. A good portion of daily life is spent in the bathroom, it should be a safe space for them to take care of themselves.
The key concern should be how the bathroom is able to be accessed easily. The twin goal of redoing your bathroom to be more senior-friendly is to increase the independence of your loved ones. And to make life easier for your caregiver.
How? By doing either or all of the following.
1. Raising the height of the toilet
This is especially good for seniors with hip problems and who have trouble sitting. These two can create a tough time getting up and off the toilet seat.
You could opt to replace the toilet with one of comfortable height or put another thick toilet seat. The average thickness is 3 inches but it also depends on the person. You should adjust adequately to the loved ones’ preferences.
2. Having thick rugs
These benefits both the elder and the caregiver. The cushioning of well-padded rugs saves the knees. Because they reduce the pain when time is spent on their knees while bathing. Making the activity less a chore.
You could also use bath mats that stick to the floor to ensure grip while standing. Non-slip bath mats should be placed at the entrance of the bathroom, in front of the toilet, and right next to showers and bathtubs. These are areas prone to soap and water making them slippery.
In case you are remodeling your whole bathroom, consider installing slip-resistant tiles in the shower area or the entire bathroom.
Alternatively, non-slip adhesives come through, they are usually added on basin edges. They prevent hands from slipping Incase they hold on to them for support.
3. Install grab bars and rails
This is probably the easiest and cost-effective way to be senior-friendly. You can install them in the shower, bathtub, and near the toilet. Benefits both the senior and caregiver.
The bars and rails support navigating through the bathroom. Ease of pulling oneself up and down and they get rid of the twisting and turning. Making showering a relaxing and soothing experience.
They came in a range of types and styles but we can classify them into two main categories. Those that can be attached to a toilet and a free-standing frame, which is positioned around the toilet.
4. Curbless showers and walk-in bathtubs
The inclusion of the door into the tub cuts out the lifting of legs, making it easier to access the bathroom at low step-in. It makes the transition from a wheelchair to a shower seat simple. You get to experiment with shower chairs.
Other models are equipped with adjustable bubble jets, inside the tube sitting, and handrails. The only precaution is that the seniors should not use the door to support themselves. It is not designed to hold that much weight.
Although it is on the pricer end of bathroom safety, it is the most reliable option. It offers comfort features that are not available in a typical tub or shower.
It also has handrails, textured surfaces, and an extra-wide door.
5. Keep everything organized
Bathroom clutter is not only overwhelming but also hazardous and distressing, especially for seniors. You should sort out the items used daily from those that are a waste of space.
Those items used daily such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and medication should be easily accessible. Such that your loved one should not have to stretch or bend to get a particular item. Shower gels, lotions, and shaving products should be condensed together. To save on space. You could install cabinets or a shower caddy provided they are mounted to prevent them from falling.
Also, filling these cabinets to the max can make knocking over items and spilling around easier.
6. Get a sprayer attachment for your shower head
This is a showerhead that you can detach and hold in your hands. It makes bathing really easy and eliminates the need to stand. Making it a bonus for those who cannot stand.
7. Include plenty of light
Overhead lighting is problematic to seniors because it cast shadows. They also do not illuminate certain spaces. The better option is to add multiple lights so that all areas of the bathroom receive uniform light.
You could also opt to use automatic lights that change in illumination depending on the time of the day. Also, add light sources on the way to the bathroom with well-located switches.
In addition, you could use contrast colors as a way of demarcating different sections of the bathroom. Opt for matte vanishes.
8. Install a quality shower bench
The manufacturers of most shower benches design their products with ease and stability in mind. Some come with armrests, while others will have suction cups and height adjustment options. They help in remaining balanced throughout the showering process.
There are a few aspects you should keep in mind while purchasing the bench. One aspect is the chair’s weight capacity and size. That is height, width, and depth.
It prevents you from getting a seat that does fit into the shower.
With this information in mind, it becomes easier to pick designs for the seniors’ shower area. What combos to put together according to your loved one’s needs. Every person is different therefore you adjust adequately.
Which bathroom designs would I pick?
There are many designs that are suitable for seniors.
1. Walk-in shower design
Let’s begin with a walk-in shower.
This is my first choice for seniors. Why? It has an easy access when going in and out of the bathroom.
a] Zero threshold shower
The senior will not have the hustle of lifting their legs especially if they have mobility and balance issues. It is a zero threshold shower.
b] Adjustable chair
The chair is easy to adjust to the proper height. It is made of mesh making it comfortable, good-looking, and stable. In addition, the chair encourages proper positioning for transfers and can double as a lawn chair.
c] Portable chair
Why use a portable chair? So that other people can use the bathroom too. If need be, put the chair outside.
d] Soothing and relaxing colors
The colors in the bathroom are very soothing and relaxing. The combination of green and light gray spurs feelings of nurturing, healing, freshness, harmony, and calmness.
e] Safety bars and rails
It also has bars and rails to grab. Which supports navigating through the bathroom with ease. They are attached to the bathroom making them more secure while pulling themselves up or sitting down.
f] Detachable shower
The detachable shower eliminates the need for standing. While the grabbing bar near the shower supports standing. A double blessing.
g] Built-in wall shelves
It has built-in wall shelves, a place to place the shower gels, soaps, and bathing towels. They are easily accessible, and each section can be used to organize different things. Making the bathroom look neat.
h] Glass wall
Not forgetting the glass wall that allows more natural light in, creating a luxurious aesthetic.
The only thing perhaps I would change is the overhead lighting. I would put pretty sconces on either side. Or light bulbs like 4 on either side.
What are the basic features of a walk-in tub?
Here are the thing you’d want in a safe shower for seniors.
a] Size
It should be accommodating. Therefore, consider the area in your bathroom where it needs to go as well as the amount of water it should hold.
b] Safety
Here you consider any mobility devices. Some tabs are specifically built for wheelchairs or walkers and will ensure safety while getting in and out.
c] Fill and drain systems
Here you look for models with fast-filling faucets and fast draining systems.
d] Therapeutic features
These can help them relax, mitigate pain and make the seniors’ bath more enjoyable. Most features include water massage, air massage, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy are add ons that cost extra. But very effective.
The cat is already out of the bag of what my other option is. A walk-in tub? You guessed right.
2. Walk-in shower design [Marble-themed]
For my second option, I would go for another walk-in shower.
However, the tub can be used by everyone in the family. Who would not want its therapeutic benefits?
First of all, it has a grabbing bar that can be multipurpose, and hang a towel there too. The inclination at one side supports the back while laying down. There’s a place to rest your head and let the water do its thing.
Why not go with the plastic ones? There’s no variety when it comes to texture. Also, it may feel temporary since it is bought when it is already built and you just have to find space to fit it in.
If compared to the marble tub, it is built intentionally in the house. You get to give input on its specifications and location. It could be made big enough to fit more than one person.
Also this way, other family members will not shy off from using it. Thus not making it an expense for just one person.
The marble is also very inviting and soothing.
Everyone gets to enjoy hydrotherapy for physical wellness, a heated backrest that keeps you warm throughout your soak. And whirlpool jets that massage your calves, spine, and feet to relieve sore muscles.
Also, marbles speak the language of luxury fluently.
3. Zero threshold shower for seniors
Last but not least is this bathroom design.
Let’s begin with the toilet, it has a grabbing bar for ease of getting off and on. It is an added advantage that it is close to the bathroom. Thus killing two birds with one stone.
The grabbing bar in the shower is one long one and then the detachable shower and the bench. Not overwhelming at all while looking at it.
The walk-in and out is easy since there is no step. Making it a zero threshold shower. There is also the advantage of increased independence for the loved one. How? The sink is close by within reach and can shower without the need of standing.
The colors are also very calming and relaxing. A combination of gray and white brings out simplicity, cleanliness, and balance. Moreover, the see-through glass wall encourages more natural light.
In addition to that, it has inbuilt wall shelves. From the top to bottom you could arrange the toiletries in a matter of urgency. They occupy very little space and would not create any inconveniences while navigating the bathroom.
I also like the distribution of lighting. There are like three light bulbs hence illuminating all areas of the bathroom.
Did you notice the contrasting colors, demarcating different sections of the bathroom?
It is big enough to be occupied by two people and the matte varnish is very classy.
Tips to boost your bathroom safety for seniors
If you want to make a bathroom safe for over-sixty year olds, here’s a list of things you need to do.
- Installing an emergency phone that is waterproof and easily accessible.
- Vividly mark hot and cold water handles.
- Ensure the bathroom has ample space to walk around.
- Consider an elderly alert system that has sensors or alarms.
While considering the size of the shower, the first thing to put into account is your overall room size and what standard showers are available. The most common widths are in order of 36, 32, and 60, while the lengths vary.
It is possible to find small standard showers of ’32*32′. However, most people would opt for 48*32 they are more comfortable. The ultimate one though is to have a shower of minimum dimensions of ’60*36′. They are less claustrophobic and allow more room for navigating.
In the end, the shower and the tub are both necessary. They both have different characters but are equally beneficial to the seniors. If it is possible, start with the shower first then the tub.
The idea is to increase independence for both the senior and the caregiver. Ensure the bathroom environment adapts to their physical capabilities.