Bathroom Design for Seniors – Part 2

Senior friendly bathroom design, as we mentioned in part 1 of this article, is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. as Baby Boomers reach retirement age. The odds of an accident in the bathroom make senior friendly bathroom design important.

Senior friendly bathroom design blends safety with style. We looked at 5 minimal ideas in part 1 – ways in which you can incorporate safety with little effort or expense. We continue below with more ideas. Some of these bathroom design ideas will involve a small investment. Still, none are going to break the bank, and installation should not require a contractor.

Senior Friendly Bathroom Design – Minimal Ideas

Senior friendly bathroom design can be achieved with minimal effort and expense. It is not free, but small changes can yield big results.

1. Among the more important elements in senior friendly bathroom design are grab bars. Grab bars are sturdy metal bars that can be installed on the side of a tub or the wall of a shower. Grab bars help seniors get in or out of the tub/shower. Grab bars are available in both permanent and removable clamp-on models.

2. Toilet area grab bars may also be a part of your senior friendly bathroom design. Grab bars in the toilet area give extra support in getting up and down. Never count on toilet roll holders or other fixtures intended for lightweight items.

3. If the senior has had a hip operation, or has difficulty bending or sitting, add a raised toilet seat to your senior friendly bathroom design. This will be gentler on stiff joints, and may avoid unnecessary falls. Choose a seat with safety features such as locking clamps that stabilize the seat.

4. Fit the tub or shower with a sturdy plastic seat. Even seniors who are not too weak to stand in a shower may appreciate a seat when they are fatigued. Bathroom design need not suffer as stylish seats are available. Look for stability and slip-resistant rubber feet.

5. A hand held shower spray is a must for senior friendly bathroom design. These are easily attached to current shower arm and will allow the senior to control water flow when seated. If others are using the same shower or tub, choose a hand held shower spray with a water diverting valve.

6. As seniors age, padded seats are desirable for pressure relief. These need not affect your bathroom design adversely, however. Unless the senior is in need of optimum pressure relief, a beautiful padded seat can be purchased through a bathroom design outlet.

7. If your bathtub had a shower curtain, replace the tension rod with a shower rod that is bolted firmly into the wall. If a senior begins to fall, and grabs the curtain, the rod will not pull loose.

Look for more senior friendly bathroom design ideas in the final part of this article.