Aging in Place: Implementing a Barrier-Free Bathroom

The bathroom has come to be viewed as a retreat – a place for relaxation, solitude and renewal in the home. It is also the area of the home that can create the largest barriers to use, and may compromise safety when physical abilities begin to fail. However, designing or updating a bathroom to be accessible and able to accommodate the changing needs of an individual can incorporate tranquility into a functional space.

As an able-bodied person, a standard tub or shower poses no challenge; consider changes in mobility and it becomes a different story. Raising the height of room elements like sink and toilet, in addition to allowing for increased clearance for walkers or wheelchairs are simple ways to increase accessibility in this room. The bath or shower, on the other hand, is the trickiest element to allow for accessibility.

When renovating or designing a bathroom to accommodate the elderly or handicapped, many will choose to add shower or bath options that are both user-friendly and beautiful. Increasingly, bathroom remodels incorporate barrier-free showers for the possibility of future need, and because the ascetic can be very pleasing.

If a remodel is an option, a zero-entry or curbless shower offers complete accessibility with no threshold to step over, and can be designed to occupy any amount of space desired – from that of a standard shower to much larger. Walk-in bathtubs are also an option, and can be installed within the same footprint as an existing standard-sized tub. Installing a hand-held shower head on a slide bar is a great way to increase usability, allowing the user to shower while seated.

Accessible bathrooms are critical for creating an accessible home as loved ones age--by helping you find the right accessible or universal design home, or finding one suitable for renovation, we can help make the transition easier. Contact me today to learn more about finding the right home for the next phase of your life.