How to Remodel Your Bathroom for Seniors

Most Americans love their independence and want to spend their golden years in their homes. According to a new AARP Home and Community Preferences Survey, 77% of adults 50 and older want to age in place. If you are in your fifties and planning to age in your own home, you must make a few changes, starting with a bathroom remodel.

Remodeling your bathroom helps you stay safe and comfortable. As seasoned bathroom remodel contractors in Utah, we encourage our customers to plan it as soon as possible to avoid costly and disruptive upgrades down the line. In this post, we’ll specifically address how you can plan a bathroom remodel for seniors.

Let’s get started.

A. Improve Accessibility

Start your bathroom remodel with accessibility in mind. When it comes to accessibility, every bathroom remodeling for seniors should include:

1. Choose the Right Location

Most homes have a bathroom on the main level, where your kitchen, bedroom, living room, and laundry are. This bathroom should be the focus of your renovation since it’s more accessible than those on the first floor. If you don’t have a bathroom on the main level, consider installing a chair lift or adding a new bathroom. 

2. Widen Your Bathroom Door

You might have to do away with your old bathroom door. A standard door width of 28 to 32 inches is often inaccessible for seniors relying on walkers, but a 36-inch door is ideal for you to move around freely. If possible, replace your traditional hinge door with a widened or pocket door to make better use of the available space. This modification may involve structural changes, but it is worth the investment.

3. Install a Walk-In Shower

Unlike the traditional shower-tub combo, a walk-in shower eliminates the need to step over a high tub edge, reducing the risk of falls. Look for walk-in shower designs with low or no thresholds to make stepping in and out easier. Also, equip your walk-in shower with a built-in seat, non-slip flooring, and grab bars to make bathing much easier and safer.

4. Adjust the Sink Height 

Although we are not specifically talking about wheelchair accessibility, consider installing a wall-mount sink, which provides enough knee space underneath. This bathroom remodel will allow you to roll your wheelchair or vanity stool up close when using the sink. 

Another recommended bathroom remodel for seniors is to install a lever-operated or foot-controlled faucet. These upgrades help you turn the water on and off easily and are particularly useful if you have mobility issues like arthritis. 

5. Place Your Toilet at a Comfortable Height

Keeping your toilet at a comfortable height can make a world of difference. Comfort-height toilets are a bit higher than standard models, which reduces the need to bend down as much, making them particularly helpful for those with mobility issues. Adding grab bars near the toilet can provide additional support, improving your safety and comfort. 

B. Focus On Your Safety

Safety is an equally important consideration when remodeling a bathroom for older adults. In your bathroom remodeling for seniors, think about:

1. Install Non-Slip Flooring

While slick bathroom floors look attractive, they are not ideal for seniors. Nearly one out of five falls (22.7%) among older adults at least 65 years old happen in bathrooms and lead to an emergency room visit. So, if you have a glossy bathroom floor, you might want to replace it as soon as possible. 

One way to ensure your safety is to go with textured tiles or vinyl when selecting the flooring material for your bathroom. You might also want to add non-slip mats in areas like the shower or near the sink, where the risk of falls is highly likely. 

Another major safety risk in your bathroom is a throw rug. If you want to use a rug, buy one with a low pile and secure it to the bathroom floor with anti-slip rug tape. But we strongly recommend replacing it with a non-slip mat.

2. Add Grab Bars and Handrails 

This is a cost-effective yet critical bathroom remodel for seniors. Installing grab bars and handrails can improve your safety when showering or answering nature’s calls. 

When you redesign your bathroom, install grab bars near the toilet, shower, and bathtub to provide support and stability. These can help you maintain your balance while taking the shower and safely get in and out. Grab bars also help you when sitting down and getting up when you use the toilet.

3. Improve Lighting 

A well-lit bathroom is not just good for your mood but also your safety. For maximum visibility, we recommend letting as much natural light into your bathroom as possible for daytime use. Natural light is easier on your eyes and offers several health benefits. So, use sheer curtains or blinds that allow sunlight to filter in when planning a bathroom remodel for seniors. 

As far as artificial lighting is concerned, LED lights are your best bet. These lights use up to 90% less energy and last 25 times longer than the transitional incandescent bulbs. But when installing them, make sure your bathroom has bright and even lighting without any glare.

As bathroom remodeling contractors, we prefer a sconce with two bulbs on either side of your mirror and an LED tape light under or along the vanity toes for better visibility. This type of layered lighting reduces the risk of glare. We also suggest installing the lights within your reach so that you can easily replace them when required.

Need Help with Your Bathroom Remodel for Seniors? Let’s Talk. 

Remodeling your bathroom for aging requires careful planning and consideration. But if you focus on accessibility and safety, you can transform it into a senior-friendly zone. This typically involves but isn’t limited to, widening your bathroom door, adjusting sink and toilet height, adding grab bars and handrails, installing anti-skid floors, and proper lighting. But we recommend consulting a professional first.

At Lifespan Bath Remodel, we offer customized bathroom remodeling for seniors. If you are looking for a bathroom remodel in Salt Lake City, Utah, get a free quote from our experts. We’ll be happy to help you get your bathroom ready for your golden years.