Our bathrooms are designed to meet specific requirements, from elimination to personal care, and we visit them often. However, as we age, our needs change. While most of the house can stay the same, the bathroom should be altered for continued use, advises the OKC Homes 4 You Management team.
Getting old is a natural human progression that we all experience, but it doesn’t have to be an inconvenience. Make the necessary changes to your bathroom so you can have an easier time in the loo and enjoy your advancing years in comfort and peace.
Are you advancing in years and looking to add some beneficial amenities and features? Here are some bathroom renovation ideas for seniors.
Raised Toilet Seat
Many people suffer from arthritis as they age, and simple things like getting up and down from the toilet seat can be challenging. An effective renovation plan for a senior’s bathroom must consider mobility, so a raised toilet seat fits the bill perfectly.
This is a fairly easy modification because most elevated toilet seats fit standard toilets. They are made to securely fasten to the existing toilet, and some even come with handles for more support.
You can also replace the entire toilet with a higher-profile model. These are typically 17-19 inches tall rather than the standard 15 inches.
Grab Bars
New home construction requires backing in bathroom walls to install grab bars for crucial support for seniors and those with disabilities. This is very handy for maneuvering on and off toilets and into showers and tubs.
For older homes, it is more of an undertaking. However, you can get a contractor to remove drywall and place in backing so there is solid support for screwing on these assistive bars and rails.
The grab bars are horizontal, vertical, and at a 45-degree angle in predetermined spots, offering the best bathroom movement support.
Walk in Bathtub
As you age, the most minor things in life often need to be altered. This includes bathing and showering. It is difficult to stand in a shower while washing up, and getting in and out of a tub is a non-starter.
Many seniors enjoy walk in bathtubs. These are specially designed to give you all the benefits of a tub and shower with extras added for a therapeutic upgrade. This prioritizes bathroom safety while pampering you with features like:
- Slip-resistant floors
- Hydrotherapy jets
- Aromatherapy system
- Chromotherapy lights
- Heated backrests
There are also safety grab bars and poles in the right positioning for easy maneuvering. There are curtain rods for privacy and detachable shower heads for the ultimate spa-like bathing.
Install a Bidet
Having mobility to clean yourself up after going to the bathroom is more challenging as you age, but there are solutions to good hygiene. Bidets are a sanitary and safe cleaning device that doesn’t require toilet paper after you do your business. This is an exciting game-changer for seniors.
It will take a plumber and maybe a carpenter to make the installation, but afterwards, you will wonder how you lived without one.
Skylights
This is a smart idea that looks like an aesthetic upgrade but actually serves as vital illumination for safety. A skylight lets in natural light from the sun and the moon. It provides a way to see when going to the bathroom in the evening.
It also gives a sense of openness in a small bathroom. This means your elderly loved one will feel better if they spend time in the room for a bath.
Accessible Cabinets
A bathroom cabinet usually extends the wall towards the ceiling to house toiletries and linen. However, for seniors, it can be difficult to reach. As a practical solution, you can install accessible cabinets.
These are pretty much the same type of cabinetry but mounted several inches lower than the standard 34.5 inches. This makes everything much easier to reach and with added features like pull out or pull down shelves, provides access for those that require it.
More additions can include coloured handles for the visually impaired and floor-mounted units for those with walking aids and wheelchairs.
Redo the Downstair Bathroom
Seniors with mobility issues often have to reorient their homes to avoid using stairs constantly. The main-level bathroom usually only has a toilet and sink. However, it can probably be renovated for a senior who wants a full-service amenity at ground level.
This can often be achieved in the existing footprint. However, you may have to extend the floor space by removing a closet or punching it into another room. This will then give you the room for many amenities.
