subject: Tips For A Bathroom Remodel That Provides Safety For Elderly Residents [print this page] The bathroom is not only one of the most frequently used rooms in a home, it is also the most accident prone room in a home. Elderly homeowners are at a high risk of slips and falls in a bathroom due to wet floors, unsafe shower areas, and slippery tubs. A bathroom remodel is a great idea for any household where there are elderly residents because it can help prevent accidents. This article looks at some ways you can incorporate safety into a Seattle bathroom remodel if youre an elderly homeowner.
Grab Bars
Showers and tubs should have doors installed with a grab bar attached. Installing doors as opposed to shower curtains makes cleaning easier. In addition, shower curtains can become entangled in a persons feet easily or can be torn down when grabbed during a slip.
Installing a grab bar along the wall is a safety precaution that helps an elderly person balance while showering or bathing, especially when getting in and out of the shower or tub. A grab bar can be installed on a shower door or on a tile wall. Grab bars come in different lengths so its important to have one installed that is a comfortable fit for the person who will be using it. For example, if the bar is too short an elderly person may have difficulties grabbing onto it. Alternatively, if it is too long it may be difficult to install at the ideal angle.
Handheld Shower Heads
An inexpensive way to increase the ease of showering or hair washing is installing a hand-held shower head. Installing a hand-held shower head, enables a person to shower or wash their hair while in a sitting position. Hand-held shower heads are available in a vast array of styles and sizes, and in the type of water spray they produce. An existing stationary showerhead can easily be removed in order to install a hand-held shower head.
Shower Chair Or Bath Bench
For individuals with mobility difficulties, a shower chair or bathtub bench should be installed. If there are other people in the residence that use the same shower or tub, consider installing a removable shower chair or bath bench. Removable varieties have suction cups that attach to the floor of the shower or tub to prevent the seat from moving. You can purchase a shower chair or bath bench in several different sizes and styles. The majority of them have rubber tips on the legs that also help prevent shifting, sliding, and moving.
Toilet Seat Riser
A toilet seat riser can also be installed to help elderly residents in addition to a safety bar next to the toilet that allows for ease in sitting down and standing up.
These are just a few of the many ideas for a Seattle bathroom remodel that will help keep an elderly homeowner safe. Contact your local general contractor to help you with installation of these bathroom remodel ideas and for more ideas on creating an elderly safe bathroom.
