A bathroom remodel is a great project with a number of benefits. You can achieve a design that’s perfect for your needs, while also raising the value of your home if you ever decide to sell it in the future. It’s also a chance to make your bathroom extra-safe, especially if you’re planning to live in the same home well into your twilight years. An aging-in-place bathroom is perfect if your parents live with you, as well.
So how should you design your bathroom if you want to be safer for everyone, especially the elderly and those with mobility issues and physical limitations? Here are some tips for a successful project.
Consider Safety and Convenience
Convenience and safety go together when you’re planning a bathroom based on universal design. Safe and easy navigation, as well as the unencumbered use of the facilities in the room, are paramount. If performing an activity in the bathroom forces you to do something unsafe, such as trying hard to reach something, that means your bathroom design is seriously flawed.
If you live alone, it’s even more important to be able to do things in your bathroom without the risk of falling and any other injurious consequences. With this in mind, it’s no longer just about your bathroom remodel alone but also about making arrangements so you are not alone all the time. For example, make sure to have an alarm system that goes off if you ever fall, or have a loved one or a friend or neighbor to check on you at least twice a day.
Build a First Floor Bathroom
When you have mobility issues that make it difficult to navigate a flight of stairs or even a step, it’s important that everything you need is located on the first floor. That includes your bedroom and your bathroom. It would be even more convenient if you have a bathroom attached to your bedroom.
Homeowners living in old homes in established neighborhoods are probably familiar with the old design, which is one bathroom located on the second floor, right next to the bedrooms. This is no longer considered a good use of design. It’s important to have your bedroom and your bathroom right next to each other on the first floor.
Your bathroom doesn’t have to be big; it just has to be easy to navigate even if you’re in a wheelchair. With that in mind, you can probably find an area on the first floor of your home that you can convert into a bathroom.
Avoid Step-In Bathtubs
Young and healthy people don’t have any problems stepping into a regular bathtub, but as you get older you lose some of that balance and freedom of movement. To make your baths safer and more comfortable, think about replacing your conventional step-in bathtub with a walk-in bathtub.
A walk-in bathtub has all the accessibility features you need, including a door on the side that allows you to walk into it without stepping over the side. Some of these tubs also come with lockable wheels so they can be moved from one location to another and then locked in place for safety. Look into walk-in bathtubs with water jet features for hydrotherapy and relaxation.
But what if you want to keep your conventional bathtub? One way to address this issue is to purchase a tub transfer bench that will make it safer and easier for someone to get into a tub with plenty of support.
Is a shower more your style? You can talk to your contractor about an accessible shower installation that features grab bars as well as a built-in shower seat. For more safety, your shower should be equipped with anti-slip floors or matting. The floor should be level with the rest of the bathroom floor, and you should be able to easily enter and exit the shower area even if you are in a wheelchair.
Install Accessible Seating
A built-in shower seat is a good addition. However, you can have built-in seating in other areas of the bathroom for more comfort and convenience. Your bathtub, for instance.
As for your toilet seat, make sure to talk to your contractor about the height. It should be the perfect height that makes it easier for mobility-challenged people to use, which means it doesn’t force you to sit too low or too high. If you have to sit too low, it might be difficult to clean yourself or to get back up.
If you have a seat that you don’t intend to replace right now, or if the replacement cost is an issue, a cheaper and quicker alternative is to buy a removable elevated toilet seat that attaches to a regular seat to raise the sitting height.
Choose a Removable and Adjustable Shower
When you’re planning a shower installation, make sure to get a showerhead that’s both easily adjustable and removable. This will allow you to adjust the spray more quickly and easily. A removable showerhead — also known as a detachable or handheld showerhead — is also a great choice, especially if you can adjust the strength, type, or angle of the spray. It will allow you to clean yourself more comfortably.
Install an Accessible Vanity
The height of the countertop, as well as the clearance under the sink, are both an issue when you have a conventional bathroom design. You can’t roll up to your vanity and reach the sink comfortably if there are cabinets under the sink or if it’s too high or too low.
Accessible vanities have sinks that have a convenient clearance and don’t hamper a wheelchair user’s access. Your contractor is likely to make some measurements based on the wheelchair user to make sure the height and clearance are just right.
Install Sturdy Grab Bars and Rails
Grab bars are staples of accessible, aging-in-place bathrooms. They allow elderly people, wheelchair users, and other people with disabilities to use the bathroom more safely. Grab bars and rails are responsible for preventing many accidents.
Make sure your grab bars and rails are made of high-quality material that doesn’t rust, bend, or break. They should also be installed on stable walls that can hold the weight of the user. If a grab bar wobbles, it presents a hazard.
Widen the Door
Wheelchairs and walkers should pass through the bathroom door without a problem. Widen your bathroom door to accommodate them. This should not be difficult unless your door sits against a wall and there’s no space for widening the entryway. If this is the problem, think about moving the door to a more convenient location when you do your bath renovation.
Install Non-Slip Floors or Mats
It’s not just your tub and shower that should have non-slip surfaces. Your entire bathroom should be devoid of slick floors that can put you in danger. Some tiles have a rough, anti-slip surface that isn’t affected by the presence of water.
If you can’t change the floor, you can use non-slip mats and rugs. However, make sure the mats and rugs themselves don’t slide on the floor. Some have suction cups underneath or a textured bottom to prevent them from moving. Have someone test the rugs and mats before you step on them.
That being said, it’s still a better idea to save for a bath renovation that will include changing your bathroom floor with a non-slip alternative.
Get in touch with The Bathroom Store. We offer top-quality bathroom remodeling services for aesthetics, safety, and accessibility. Call us today at (701) 223-1008 or fill out this form. Let’s discuss your project now.
