Best Bathroom Ideas For The Elderly

Best Bathroom Ideas For Creating a Friendly Bathroom For The Elderly

Sometimes, navigating the bathroom can be tricky for anybody, no matter what their age. Wet tiles, slippery surfaces, and cramped baths can make bathrooms especially difficult for the elderly or those with limited mobility. We’ve put together some of the best bathroom ideas to ensure that everyone, no matter their age or mobility needs, can access everything they need in their bathroom safely and easily.

Non-Slip Flooring 

Vinyl flooring is cheap, effective and can also be stylish as it comes in a variety of colours. It is a great alternative to tiles if you want to install some non-slip flooring. Well-laid laminate flooring will also do the same job and can look equally stylish. It is also possible to buy anti-slip tiles for use around the bath or shower. Consider installing a handrail or grab rail beside the toilet and by the bath or in the shower to prevent any falls and to help a senior person steady themselves if needed.

Waterproof Wall-Panelling

Easy and clean to install, waterproof wall panelling is a great alternative to slippery tiles in a bath or shower. They are normally made from PVC or MDF laminate and come in a variety of colours and designs so you don’t have to sacrifice flair for comfort in a small bathroom or where wheelchair accessibility is required. Waterproof wall-panelling allows an elderly person an entirely slip-free zone when they are showering or bathing, so they can lean on walls for support if needed without any fear of slipping. Consider adding grab bars for additional safety.

Walk-In Baths

Walk-in baths (like the ones pictured) have become increasingly popular as they eliminate the need for the user to clamber into a bath. Although hoists are available for those who find getting into a bath difficult, using a walk-in bath is a far easier long-term solution to this problem. The door in a walk-in bath is discreet and watertight; it can provide the comfort height and feeling of normal baths while allowing the user to simply step into their bath and step back out again once the water has drained below the door level.

Shatterproof Screens

A shatterproof screen is ideal for someone who is worried about the possibility of falling against the glass in their shower and causing injury. Installing a grab bar at a comfortable height nearby can provide additional safety. They are available in a variety of designs and shapes to suit your needs, from curved doors or sliding panels to half or full height screens. A shatterproof screen is a great safety addition to your bathroom but they are largely indistinguishable from any other type of shower screen available.

Low-Level Shower Trays

You don’t have to compromise on style to get a user-friendly bathroom. The shower tray shown can easily be replaced with a low-level walk-in shower tray for the benefit of elderly users. You could even get a shower seat installed so a user can sit down whilst showering rather than need to stand constantly. Whatever you decide, any of the above options can ensure the comfort and safety of an elderly person using their bathroom.

Any bathroom can be adapted easily to meet the needs and requirements of an elderly person, and it will make a huge difference to their quality of life. For more information about designing and installing a bathroom, call My Beautiful Bathroom on 0141 771 3640.

When Creating a Bathroom Design for Elderly People, What Factors Should be Considered?

What aids are required and what assistance is available?

As people age, their bones can weaken and they may start to lose the ability to do certain things. Bathing is likely to be one of the first elements of an older person’s physical life to pose difficulty. To physically enter the bathtub, a person must have good arm strength and be somewhat agile. This is a typical action that older people struggle with.

There are lots of options available for assisting an elderly person in using the bathroom. Some are great answers, but others are not as necessary. Grab rails, bath lifts, and bath boards should not be forgotten. One of the most important qualities that individuals want to preserve is their ability to wash themselves. A sense of ‘I can do this’, as well as the idea that you still have dignity, is important.

Find Out What’s Available

The available assistance can meet all of an aged person’s needs. Whether you have limited mobility, physical limitations, or long-term disabilities, there is typically a bathroom option to help you. However, identifying what you need and where to get it might be tricky. Giving a complete stranger money and access to your home is not a good idea. As with any purchase, you should search out the source rather than simply trusting everyone who comes to the door. There is plenty of information available on home modifications for the elderly.

Best Bathroom Ideas For The Elderly – Arrange A Bathroom Showroom Visit

Looking for a more accessible bathroom or one that  is more friendly for elderly family members? Then visit one of our four bathroom showrooms for inspiration, we have lots of beautiful bathroom displays arranged in real-life-sized room settings that will aid you in making the most out of your new bathroom. Would you like to arrange a visit to view some of our stunning bathroom displays? We have bathroom showrooms in Glasgow, Ayr, Edinburgh and Stirling.

Click here to arrange an appointment, and the My Beautiful Bathroom team will be in touch.