5 factors when remodeling a bathroom for seniors

As our population ages, more and more people are faced with the difficult question of how to keep Mom or Dad in their own home. Let’s face it, private-pay assisted living is expensive. One of the best investments you can make is a bathroom remodeling job to keep your parents in place.

Remodeling a bathroom for seniors is just not the same as remodeling a bathroom for anyone else. Older people have special needs. Addressing these needs in the remodeling job will greatly enhance the enjoyment they’ll derive from living in their own home.

There are a myriad of considerations to think about when planning a remodeling job for seniors. For puposes of this blog post, we’re going to mention only five, and not in any order of importance. Think these things through with the person who’s going to be using the bathroom; in fact, get their feedback and make them part of the design process. In doing so, you’ll lift their spirits and find out what’s most important to them.

1. Install a walk-in tub. We list this first because getting into a shower can be difficult and even dangerous for those with poor balance. Many older folks find it hard to step over the side of the tub. A walk-in tub eliminates this problem. And while you’re at it, make sure you get a seat for the shower – your Mom or Dad will thank you!

2. Install handrails near the toilet and in the shower. Older people sometimes need help standing up, and well-placed handrails or grab bars can provide the leverage they need.

3. Install a taller toilet. This is an item of comfort and convenience. It’s easier to use a raised toilet than a conventional one, and seniors appreciate the convenience provided from just a couple extra inches of height.

4. If your loved one is in a wheelchair, consider customizing the sink and hanging it lower for easier access. Some sinks have enough room to partially pull a wheelchair under the sink, which is enormously helpful. Also, check the height of towel bars, too. You want to make sure that everything your parents need is easily accessible to them.

5. Provide plenty of natural light. If it’s possible to install a skylight, go ahead and get this done. Natural light lifts one’s mood and can influence how the day is perceived. If you need to lower a light switch, do so, but always make sure you’re within the electrical code specified for where you live.

You may question the wisdom of spending money on a bathroom remodeling for seniors. But once again, consider the alternatives. Assisted living apartments cost thousands of dollars a month and rarely have that warm “at home” feeling. Keeping Mom and Dad safe in their own home gives them more pleasure and satisfaction in the later years and keeps money in your own pocket. Now that sounds like a win-win solution!

If you’d like to learn more about bathroom remodeling options, give The Remodeling Source a call. This is a division of The Plumbing Source staffed by our own experienced remodelers who’ve been doing kitchens, bathrooms and basements for years. Be sure to ask about our bathliner products that can be installed in as little as one day!

You’ll save money when your plumbing and remodeling needs can be handled by one company instead of two independent contractors. We’ve got the expertise to complete the job professionally and to your complete satisfaction.

Call us today at 216-365-0600!