Renovating an elderly person's bathroom to optimize safety is a big project. With the right material selection, you can create a bathroom that's safer and easier for your loved one to use independently. Below, you'll find a few ideas that can help you do just that.
Flooring
One of the most common injuries sustained by older folks is caused by slip-and-fall accidents in the bathroom. Choosing slip-resistant tile flooring can help to reduce the likelihood of falls.
These tiles come in a variety of colors, patterns, and finishes. Take your time and discuss your needs with your local tile professional. They will be able to help you choose the tile that will provide the traction and the appearance that you hope for.
Another thing to consider when shopping for tile products is the grout that will be used. Traditional grout is porous. This means that it will absorb moisture and can lead to mold and mildew growth. Sealing the grout every couple of years will help to reduce the chances of mold and mildew growth, or you could opt for acrylic grout. This grout is more rubbery and will prevent the moisture from seeping into the grout and potentially under the tiles.
One more thing to keep in mind as you choose your flooring materials is the threshold. The threshold connects two flooring surfaces and can sometimes cause difficulties with walkers and wheelchairs. Choose a threshold that is as flat as possible. If you must use an elevated threshold to bring the two flooring materials together, choose one that is wide and easy to roll over.
Walk-In Shower
Another element that is essential in an elderly person's bathroom is a walk-in shower. Having to step into a bathtub can lead to serious falls if they lose their balance. Walk-in showers can be purchased in fiberglass or you can have them custom designed.
Custom designing the shower will make it possible to choose nonslip tiles for the flooring, as well as install a seat, grab bars, and a shower head with a nice, long hose for easy use.
Grab Bars
You can never have enough grab bars in the bathroom. One or two around the toilet, another just outside the shower, at the sink, and at the door; anywhere that they may have to pause or catch their balance. Just be sure that those grab bars are mounted correctly.
These changes will make a huge difference in the ease of safe use in the bathroom. Take your time and consider all of your options and make the choices that meet your budget and your needs.
Contact a local tile flooring service to learn more.
Generally, you don't want something to get underfoot. You don't want your pets to get underfoot. You don't want your child's stuffed animals to end up there, either! But one thing you do want under your feet is a good floor. You want a floor that will stand up to wear and tear. You want one that will support not only you, but your furniture. What kind of floor would meet those standards? Well, it depends — and often, there are a lot of good choices. If you read some of the posts here, you'll gain a broader perspective on flooring and all that it entails.