• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Home Jobs by MOM

Home Jobs by MOM

Insights. Ideas. Improvements.

  • Lifestyle Insights
  • Business Ideas
    • Online Tools for Bloggers
  • Improving Family Life
  • Contact

7 Ways to Make the Bathroom Elderly Friendly

You are here: Home / Lifestyle / Home & Garden / 7 Ways to Make the Bathroom Elderly Friendly

THIS WEBSITE USES AFFILIATE LINKS WHICH MEANS WE RECEIVE COMPENSATION IF YOU PURCHASE A PRODUCT THROUGH THEM. VISIT OUR DISCLOSURE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

November 19, 2020 by Home Jobs By Mom
Pin15
Tweet
Share197
212 Shares

Ways to Make the Bathroom Elderly Friendly

 

 

We've learned a lot about bathroom and shower safety for senior citizens living with my grandfather for the past 6 years.

Did you know 1 in 3 seniors over age 65 fall every year, with 80% of these falls being in the bathroom?

My grandfather turned 94 years old earlier this year, so bathroom safety is of the utmost importance, especially since he is pretty self-reliant.

Large Doorways and Bathroom Width

bathroom doors shower

As we age, balance becomes an issue. To be on the safe side, my grandfather has a walker he uses around the house when he's feeling bad or just because.

This thing isn't overly huge, but it has some bulk to it, which means it's hard to get into tight spaces. Fitting this sucker into a typical four-piece bathroom with a shower tub combo would be a challenge.

Luckily, he has a double door entry into his wide bathroom. He has plenty of space to maneuver the walker around without gashing holes in the wall.

A fall in a bathroom can be fatal for an older adult. Here are seven tips to protect yourself and those you care about from bathroom falls, especially for seniors who require some help.Click To Tweet

Easy Shower Access

At the previous house we lived at with my grandfather, his bathroom had a typical shower-tub combo. As time went on, he became concerned about lifting his legs over the sides of the tub without falling.

A height of 13 inches or so might seem like nothing when you are 30, but 90 is a different story. It became a dangerous balancing act for him, so easy shower access was a must when we moved.

We opted for a walk-in shower. Now that's something he can handle!

Non-Slip Floors


As we all know, showers and bathtubs can be dangerous. Water combined with slick surfaces is just asking for accidents to happen.

If you have a fiberglass shower or tub, non-slip shower treads are a great thing to install. They help prevent slips and are super easy to install.

If you have a stone tile shower like we do, these stick-on treads will not work. We learned this the hard way. Thankfully, he didn't fall, but he could have, which is scary.

It turns out sticker treads are only meant for smooth surfaces, so these babies practically came up as easily as they went on. The same goes for shower mats and anything with suction cups. A complete no go for stone tile showers!

I suggest using an anti-slip floor treatment for stone tile showers. This treatment permanently improves traction just by pouring it on and rinsing off. You can repeat it if you need more traction. It works well and doesn't change the appearance of the tile!

Shower Grab Bars


No matter how non-slip your shower and tub floors are, accidents still happen. What if your loved one becomes light-headed or dizzy? Having something they can securely grab is essential.

We installed four grab bars, one for each wall of his shower. These are drilled directly into the tile and can fully support his weight (and more so). Much safer than the suction cup variety that we can't even use.

When it comes to the best shower grab bars for your situation the material of your shower should be the first thing you look at.

Shower Bench

Let's face it, as we age; our energy levels go down. I know mine has.

Throw in a hot, relaxing shower that is exhausting at the same time, and some sitting may be required. Or perhaps, they are just feeling weak.

Either way, a shower bench or a built-in seat is great to have. This way, they can get clean AND sit. The best of both worlds!

Combination Shower Head System

dual head shower

One of the times my grandfather was in the hospital, we noticed how their showers had two heads. One head was fixed, but the other was removable and on an adjustable slide bar so that when you are sitting, you can get sprayed up close and personal.

It was nice and very convenient for when you have to sit in the shower. Guess what? We installed one of these babies at home too. It's been a game-changer.

Toilet Safety Rail

toilet safety shower

Another trick we learned from the hospital was toilet safety. Getting up from a seated position can take work when you are older.

Having something that you can grab to pull yourself up comes in handy. I didn't want to install grab bars in the walls, so I found a handy standalone safety rail. It does the trick and even comes with a magazine rack.

How do you keep your older family members safe in the bathroom?

Related Posts:

  • 3 Must Haves for Aging Parents
    3 Must Haves for Aging Parents
  • Hospital Room to Bedroom: How to Help the Elderly Have a Smooth Transition
    Hospital Room to Bedroom: How to Help the Elderly Have a…
  • 7 Wheelchair Accessible Home Ideas
    7 Wheelchair Accessible Home Ideas
  • The Top 3 Ways to Stay Active Outdoors as a Senior
    The Top 3 Ways to Stay Active Outdoors as a Senior
  • Caregiving at a Young Age: It's Hard but Is the Best Thing You'll Ever Do!
    Caregiving at a Young Age: It's Hard but Is the Best Thing…
  • Encouraging Independence In Our Elderly Loved Ones
    Encouraging Independence In Our Elderly Loved Ones
  • Ozeri Rev Digital Bathroom Scale with Electro-Mechanical Weight Dial Review
    Ozeri Rev Digital Bathroom Scale with Electro-Mechanical…
  • How to Make a Guest Bathroom Welcoming
    How to Make a Guest Bathroom Welcoming
Pin15
Tweet
Share197
212 Shares
Category: Home & Garden, Home ImprovementTag: bathroom, elderly, safe, safety, seniors

About Home Jobs By Mom

Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.

Previous Post:caregiver elderly seniorDIY Caregiver Survival Kit
Next Post:5 Clever Storage Solutions and DIY Organizer IdeasClever Storage Solutions and DIY Organizer Ideas

Sidebar

Welcome!

Get a look into a mom’s inkling into this crazy thing called life.

Read More

Recent Posts

  • @SuperiorSource Vitamins Women’s Health Month Giveaway (Ends 6/19) @SilvieArmas
  • @PeachSkinSheets Dads & Grads Gift Guide Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @DeliciouslySavv
  • Tranformers: EarthSpark Season 1 DVD Giveaway (Ends 6/22) @PinkNinjaBlogg @DeliciouslySavv
  • @Plantraw Snacks Giveaway (Ends 6/10) @Versatileer
  • Bump Up Your Chances of Conception with These Baby-Making Must-Haves
  • 6 Tips for Ensuring Safe Equipment Use on Construction Sites
  • Adding a Deck: Benefits, Costs, and Design Ideas
  • 4 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease to Watch Out For
  • How to Leverage Social Media for Sales Recruitment
  • Measuring Success: Key Metrics in Fintech Market Research

@SuperiorSource Vitamins Women’s Health Month Giveaway (Ends 6/19) @SilvieArmas

@PeachSkinSheets Dads & Grads Gift Guide Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @DeliciouslySavv

Tranformers: EarthSpark Season 1 DVD Giveaway (Ends 6/22) @PinkNinjaBlogg @DeliciouslySavv

@Plantraw Snacks Giveaway (Ends 6/10) @Versatileer

@Trailblaze_Love Date Box Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @DeliciouslySavv

@SuperiorSource Women’s Health Month Giveaway (Ends 6/18) @DeliciouslySavv

Instant Pot Indian Cookbook Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @SilvieArmas

@WinningMovesUSA Games Pick Your Combo Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @Versatileer

Enter More Giveaways!

Free Download

“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”

Productivity-Planner-Preview
Download the FREE Colorable Productivity Planner to get your life more organized. Sign up as a newsletter insider today!
Be a Better You!

  • @SuperiorSource Vitamins Women’s Health Month Giveaway (Ends 6/19) @SilvieArmas
  • @PeachSkinSheets Dads & Grads Gift Guide Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @DeliciouslySavv
  • Tranformers: EarthSpark Season 1 DVD Giveaway (Ends 6/22) @PinkNinjaBlogg @DeliciouslySavv
  • @Plantraw Snacks Giveaway (Ends 6/10) @Versatileer
  • Bump Up Your Chances of Conception with These Baby-Making Must-Haves
  • About Home Jobs By Mom
  • Terms & Privacy
  • Contact
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Home Jobs by MOM · All Rights Reserved

This website uses affiliate links which means we receive compensation if you purchase a product through them. Visit our disclosure page for more information.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
SettingsAccept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT