Renovating a bathroom to make it senior-friendly or installing the equipment that can help your loved ones with disabilities can often be challenging. But not when you have the correct guidance for the same. Thus, to help you with lesser modifications and more renovations, we have some tips for you.
1. Declutter Your Shower Space
Start with the basics and declutter your shower space. You need to arrange the shower accessories properly and remove the unwanted ones. This way, you can prevent the chances of the elderly accidently hurting themselves while searching for something from the clutter. Ensure you are keeping their necessities in easily reachable places.
2. Invest in Non-Slip Shower Floors
Most of the elderly’s accidents occur in bathrooms, and the prime reason for that is the wet floor. Thus, to prevent your loved ones from slipping over the bathroom floor, you can use some of the slipping aids. Non-slip stickers, mats, we might remember the shower stickers that our parents used to keep to rugs, floor tiles, paint coatings, etc., are common options to choose from. They are a good and inexpensive solution that helps to eliminate slippery surfaces in the shower and even in the bathtub.
3. Fit the Grab Bars
Installation of grab bars to the shower walls may need a minor construction process, but they are worth the installation process. Grab bars are a popular way to provide support to the elderly. You can install them at the places they need support, like near the bathtub, shower seats, etc. Additionally, if you want to skip the installation process, then you can also opt for suction bars. One just needs to suction it to the wall. These bars are portable but less reliable than the fixed grab bars.
4. Install Shower Chairs for Safe Sitting
There are different types of shower seats available, like rolling shower chairs, fold-down shower seats, wall mounted shower seats, etc. You can fit these chairs under the shower to assist your elderly and let them enjoy their shower safely. Ensure that you choose the ideal shower chair for the purpose. For instance, if you want an attached chair, then wall-mounted shower seats are best for you.
5. Cater Their Disabilities
Additionally, you need to address some specific requirements of the elderly and aid them with the best equipment:
For Poor Vision
You can install a bright light in the shower ceiling and neon lights on the way to the bathroom. This will prevent accidents that may occur due to poor vision.
For Severe Arthritis
Arthritis is common among the elderly, and to provide them with additional support, you can replace round knobs with levers or knob grippers.
For Poor Mobility
For constant weakness or even minor mobility issues, you can invest in shower stands, back scrubbers, long-handled sponges, and handheld shower heads. This will allow the elderly to have a comfortable and safe bathing experience.
6. Invest in Transfer Bath Bench
Transfer benches are best for the elderly who have walking issues and want to have a shower inside the bathtub. These benches make it easy for caregivers to transfer the elderly into the bathtub. Additionally, some shower seats also include a toilet seat with a rotating disk to help the elderly person turn the bench easily. There are different types of transfer benches for different purposes, like sliding transfer benches are available for independent living elderly.
Having a portable wheelchair will be the cherry on the top to make the shower experience of your loved ones comfortable and safe. Also, while choosing a shower chair or transfer bench, make sure to purchase one with rubber tips on the legs. This will prevent slipping and form a firm grip with the floor. You also need to ensure that you consult their doctors before making any investments or installments. Doctors know more about their patients and their requirements. They can help you suggest the best equipment that can promote your elderly’s mobility and provide them with only safety.
