The concept of aging in place is becoming increasingly popular among both older and younger generations. Family members are finding it easier to pay for aging-in-place updates for aging loved ones than some other options, but that’s not the only benefit. They’re also re-discovering the value of maintaining close relationships with parents and grandparents for as long as time allows. If your older loved one has decided to age in place, or you’re planning to welcome an older relative into your family home, the bathroom, in particular, is a critical area where safety and functionality are paramount. The following are the key elements of designing age-in-place bathrooms that prioritize both safety and style.
Islands can be a versatile feature added to the kitchen as well as other areas of the home extending its utility beyond the kitchen. There are a multitude of ways islands can be used, showcasing their potential to transform and elevate different living spaces.
Prioritizing Safety
Independence in the bathroom is more comfortable for older folks and their families when safety is prioritized. The following design elements offer enhanced safety without sacrificing esthetics:
Touch Faucets
The simple act of twisting a stubborn faucet handle can be challenging for older muscles and joints. Convenient and easy to use, touch faucets reduce strain on aging joints and provide precise temperature control while minimizing the risk of scalding. This is a simple upgrade that can be completed in less than an hour.
Walk-in Showers
Navigating getting in and out of showers is tricky the older a person gets. Combine that with the necessity to balance and stand on a slippery shower floor, and you have a recipe for disaster. Modern, barrier-free showers with non-slip flooring and built-in benches offer accessibility and safety, eliminating the need to step over bathtub ledges or stand for long periods of time.
Tubs With Doors
If baths are preferred over showers, tubs with doors are a great option. Providing an alternative to traditional bathtubs, tubs with doors feature low entry thresholds and watertight doors for easy and secure access. They also offer an easy way for a caregiver to bathe an older person at home without the inherent backbreaking posture used with a traditional tub.
Toilet Risers
Toilets come in various heights, but none are as convenient for aging in place as toilet risers. These simple gadgets reduce strain on knees and hips, making sitting down and standing up much easier for seniors with mobility challenges. Adding a bidet can raise the seat height and also provide a way for your loved one to get clean safely and independently after using the restroom.
Slip-Resistant Floors
Slipping is a common hazard for the elderly, so flooring needs to be a priority in the bathroom. Avoid using any area rugs or mats, and opt for slip-resistant flooring options that offer some kind of grip for house shoes and bare feet.
Emergency Button
Give your older loved one a way to call for help from you or emergency services if they need it while in the bathroom. A simple intercom system works if they live with you. If they live in their own home, install an emergency button in the bathroom that they can reach from the floor. While wearable emergency buttons are widely available, having a set one inside the bathroom ensures availability even if they remove their emergency lanyard for bathing, etc.
Blending Safety With Style
As a homeowner, you or your older loved one won’t need to compromise on design personality. No one wants to live in an environment that doesn’t look pleasing to the eye. The following ideas offer a chance to easily integrate safety with style:
Aesthetic Considerations
Avoid trendy styles that will quickly look outdated. Instead, choose classic-style fixtures and finishes that complement the home’s overall design, using a neutral color palette and classic materials for a sophisticated look. You can always add pops of color here and there with easily replaceable textiles and wall art. Even though it’s best to choose slip-resistant flooring, add interest by creating patterns with planking or laying out tiles in a geometric pattern.
Integrated Grab Bars
Grab bars needn’t look like the kind that you see in hospital bathrooms. Stylish grab bars are available that look sleek and modern while retaining the functionality that you want to offer the necessary support for your older loved ones. Install at least two grab bars; one near the tub and one near the toilet. Remember to choose to grab bars with some kind of grip coating on the handhold. Metal grab bars are slick and harder to use when they get even slightly wet, as they are likely to be in the bathroom.
Lighting
Ensure adequate lighting in the bathroom, incorporating a combination of natural and artificial light sources, including task lighting and motion sensor lights for nighttime safety. Be mindful of older eyes that are often more sensitive to bright, glaring lights. Install a dimmer switch so the lights can be adjusted to suit your loved one’s changing needs as they age in place. Consider a built-in toilet basin light so older fathers and grandfathers have an easier time at night when frequent nighttime urination is a common part of getting older. These come in an attractive array of colors that can actually enhance the aesthetic of the bathroom.
Clearances and Accessibility
At some point, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs may be needed. Plan ahead by widening doorways and removing threshold bumps. Arrange storage of towels and toiletries, so they’re within easy reach without necessitating reaching or standing. If a wheelchair is in use, install a wheelchair-accessible sink vanity that will allow your loved one to “pull up” to the sink with their knees underneath. Especially avoid storing glass bottles high up since seniors often lose mobility in their shoulders, making it difficult or impossible to reach up for needed items.
Aging in place is a time-tested way for older folks to enjoy their senior years with dignity, independence, and privacy. Even with all the changes in bathroom design noted above, aging in place is also a more affordable option than alternatives. Whether you’re fixing up your older loved one’s home so they can age in place or preparing your own home as an age-in-place option, the tips above will help ensure that the bathroom is a safe, stylish, and functional room for your senior loved ones. Remember, a well-designed bathroom enhances functionality and contributes to individuals’ sense of independence and well-being as they age. And isn’t that something that everyone deserves?
