No matter your age, you should always feel comfortable at home. You should be able to move about with ease, do the things you love to do, and never feel like your home is kicking you out. If you’ve lived in your home for some time, you probably didn’t think about all of the features and amenities you would need when you were older.
That’s where aging in place remodeling comes in. Remodeling your home to fit the needs of your lifestyle as you age is so important—and the bathroom is one of the best places to start.
5 Tips For Remodeling Your Bathroom For Aging in Place
For many, a bathroom is a place of privacy. It’s where you go first thing in the morning to get ready and the last place you usually go before bedtime. As you age, you don’t want to lose your sense of bathroom privacy—so remodeling your bathroom for ease of use when you’re by yourself is important. Here are 5 tips for remodeling your bathroom for aging in place.
1. Redesign your shower.
The shower is where you want privacy the most—so it needs to be your top aging in place priority. Most shower and tub designs are not friendly to seniors, so a custom model might be necessary. We recommend a walk-in tub or shower for easy access. Eliminating the step-over into a traditional tub is ideal.
2. Add shower seats.
Standing for long periods of time, even just in the shower, can become harder as you age—so, built-in shower or tub seats provide the perfect place to rest. Plus, built-in shower seats are more sturdy and secure than just buying a standalone shower chair.
3. Install handrails.
Adding grab bars or handrails in the shower and near the toilets can help seniors when sitting and standing. You’ll just want to make sure they’re bolted into the walls well. When you hire a contractor for an aging in place remodel, also ask if the wall can handle 250-330 pounds—and have them test the handrails before giving the A-okay!
4. Recreate entryways.
Don’t forget about the entryway when remodeling the bathroom. Small things make the biggest difference when remodeling for aging in place—even installing better door handles can make entering and exiting the bathroom much easier. Often widening the entryway is the best option for seniors in wheelchairs or with walkers.
5. Rethink the flooring.
Bathroom flooring is often made of something easy to clean; it doesn’t necessarily take into account possible slips and falls. Rethink your flooring when remodeling for aging in place. Rubber flooring is an ideal solution for a bathroom remodel for seniors. It doesn’t get slippery when it gets wet and it provides a cushion in case of a fall—but it’s not always pretty to look at. Installing rubber bathmats throughout is another way to quickly fix the flooring without sacrificing style.
Choose H3 Construction and Design: Northern Colorado’s Premier Aging in Place Remodeling Company
As one of Colorado’s leading construction and design companies, we love working with local clients to make their dream home a reality. Good aging in place contractors know that you’ll have a lot of questions when redesigning your home—we’re always here to help! We’ll take a look at what you have and make suggestions for the best aging in place remodel for your space.
We specialize in working with Loveland clients within all budget ranges and will help you design a bathroom that’s accessible and functional for all of your aging in place needs. Give us a call today at 970-515-2264 or schedule a consultation online here.