Whether you’re planning for your own senior living experience or prepping for a senior family member to move in with you, it’s critical to make the proper accommodations in the bathroom of your home. You may not need a major bathroom renovation to properly accommodate a senior, but making a few changes can ensure safety and comfort for years to come. Here are some of the plumbing solutions you might consider when preparing your home for this stage of life.
What Bathroom Renovation Plans Should You Make for Senior Living?
When planning your bathroom renovation for senior living, it’s important to keep in mind that seniors may face physical limitations or mobility issues that can make using a standard bathroom difficult. Here are some of the bathroom renovation options that you should consider.
Bracing and Support Bars
You’ll want to install bracing and support bars that can handle weights of 250-300 lbs. These support bars should be installed around the toilet, as well as in the shower or bathtub. This will ensure seniors have extra support when standing, sitting, or navigating slick surfaces like the shower floor.
Shower Accommodations
Showers can be hazardous; they’re slippery, and if they have a lip, it presents a trip hazard. If you want to keep a shower in your bathroom renovation plans, you should ensure that it’s curbless (meaning it has no lip) and is a minimum of 36 inches wide for better maneuverability. You should also install a shower seat for a place to sit, as well as an adjustable, handheld showerhead with a six-foot hose. Pro tip: add built-in antibacterial protection for easier cleaning.
A Walk-In Bathtub
If you’re going to keep a bathtub in your bathroom renovation plans, it’s wise to install a walk-in bathtub. A walk-in bathtub has a lower threshold than a normal tub, which makes it easier to step in and out of. Furthermore, some walk-in bathtubs have doors that swing open to make entering and exiting even easier. These senior-friendly plumbing solutions can also include amenities like a built-in seat, support bars, non-slip flooring, and anti-scald valves for additional safety.
A Higher Toilet
The toilet in your bathroom renovation plan needs to be 2.5 inches higher than a standard toilet so it’s easier to sit on and rise from. You might also consider a height-adjustable toilet as one of your plumbing solutions. Also consider installing a new toilet paper holder that can be easily changed.
A Wall-Hung Sink
You should replace your sink when doing bathroom renovations for senior living. You’ll want to choose wall-hung sinks as one of your plumbing solutions. These allow for easy access if someone is in a wheelchair. If you don’t want a wall-hung sink, you can also consider a slim pedestal sink.
New Flooring
Now is a great time to update that bathroom flooring that you’re sick of! When preparing a bathroom for senior living, you should install non-slip flooring throughout (including the shower). This will help to prevent falls and injuries.
And don’t forget that while planning your bathroom renovations, you should take into consideration the fact that someone in a wheelchair may need to use it at one point in time. At least one bathroom in your home should be wheelchair-maneuverable, which means it needs to have a 60-inch turning radius.
Let Us Help You With Your Senior Plumbing Solutions
Need help choosing a walk-in bathtub or new sink for your senior-friendly bathroom renovation? Contact Superior Plumbing and HVAC today for a consultation!