As our loved ones age, it is incredibly important that their homes match the needs of their current lifestyle.
Safety, ease-of-access and comfort are all imperative for them to sustain their quality of life, as they wind down.
At Navigate Bathrooms, we have worked on countless elderly friendly bathrooms, and are discussing today what we believe are essentials to a senior citizen’s bathroom design.
Avoid sharp edges
From smooth basins to curved corners, you want to ensure that the bathroom for a senior family member does not have any sharp edges. This will ensure their safety as they are at their most vulnerable.
Make it easy-access wherever possible
You want the bathroom to be easily accessible. This may entail the need to make provisions for items such as wheelchairs and walking frames. Furthermore, you may consider adding sensor lighting, and smart taps. If seniors can have a shower by simply pressing a button, all with pre-set temperature settings, this can make a worldly difference for this day-to-day life. We also recommend having emergency access that includes sliding doors or swinging doors with special hinges that allow the door to be detached easily.
Raise the toilet
Install toilets higher than usual to make it easy to sit down and stand up. This will make using the toilet for an elderly person far easier, as things like sitting down and getting back up can be a challenge as they age.
Add a shower seat
Standing for prolonged periods of time in the shower, and getting out of a bathtub can feel like a challenge for those who have lost mobility and strength. We believe having a shower seat for your senior resident(s) is imperative. This will allow them to feel more independent, and will allow them to enjoy a nice shower instead of dreading their daily shower as a chore.
Install rails
This feature goes without saying, safety rails are an essential requirement for a senior’s bathroom. You can chat to us about this, even if your bathroom is already built, while there are still limited selections on the market, we can help you with finding the right materials to match the aesthetics of your home.
Easy storage is a must
Ensure your senior residents do not have to bend down to get their belongings. When designing bathroom cabinetry for the elderly, aim to eliminate doors below the vanity benchtop.
Are you ready to transform your bathroom to accommodate your senior family member? Then get in touch with our bathroom renovators and bathroom builders in Perth. You can also follow our article series as we share regular advice on making the most out of your bathroom space. Get in touch.
