From the shower to the toilet and vanity, here’s a guide to helping your loved ones age comfortably in your home.
Whether you’re designing a multi-generational home or renovating because your parents are moving in, elderly-proofing your space is crucial—starting with the bathroom, the most accident-prone area for seniors. By ensuring safety and accommodating mobility devices such as wheelchairs, you can create a bathroom that not only keeps your loved ones safe but also empowers them to live independently and with dignity as they age. Here are ten essentials that will help you do just that.
Geberit’s Nemea shower surface is crafted from high-quality anti-slip material, creating a seamless, floor-even shower area that ensures your loved ones can use the bathroom safely.
- Non-slip flooring Non-slip mats might offer temporary protection, but they can shift or wear out, turning into unexpected hazards over time. Non-slip flooring, on the other hand, provides dependable traction even on wet surfaces.
hansgrohe’s Unica Grab Handle Comfort goes beyond just being a grab rail—it also functions as a shower head holder and a convenient shelf, keeping essentials within easy reach.
- Grab Rails Slips and falls are all too common among seniors, making sturdy grab rails a non- negotiable feature. As your loved ones navigate in and out of the shower, these vital supports offer stability and reduce the risk of accidents.
Duravit’s Happy D.2 Plus series features rounded corners on sinks, vanities, toilets, and cabinetry. They not only enhance safety but also soften the bathroom’s appearance to make it feel more spacious.
- Rounded edges What makes slips and falls even more dangerous are the sharp edges of fixtures that can cause further injury. To provide extra protection, opt for rounded corners on fixtures, countertops, and furniture.
GROHE’s concealed thermostatic shower mixers, for instance, can be installed at a comfortable height and positioned near the shower entrance, offering both convenience and safety.
- Adjustable shower height A rainforest shower may seem luxurious, but fixed overhead showers can be challenging for seniors using wheelchairs. For a more adaptable setup, consider an adjustable shower head that can easily be removed for handheld use.
To that end, Duravit introduced HeatLock, which prevents the water temperature from exceeding 38o Celsius by accident. Now, your loved ones can enjoy their showers without worrying about accidental burns.
- Temperature control mechanisms As we age, our skin becomes more sensitive and prone to scalding, making it crucial to regulate water temperature in the bathroom. One way to achieve this is by installing temperature-controlled valves in both the shower and at the sink.
hansgrohe’s RainSelect Thermostat, for instance, features simple controls and intuitive icons that allow seniors (and children) to go about their routines with confidence. Plus, it includes a built-in shower holder for added accessibility.
- User-friendly features Incorporating innovation is important, but it can backfire if complex technology overwhelms rather than empowers your loved ones. To avoid this, prioritise simplicity and ensure that seniors can easily operate these features without feeling daunted.
With a toilet height that can be adjusted even years after installation, the Geberit ONE WC offers just that to suit your evolving needs. Talk about being preemptive!
- Adjustable toilet height Toilets that are too low can make it difficult for seniors to stand, while those that are too high can be challenging for wheelchair users. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had the flexibility to customise your toilet height, both now and in the future?
The Geberit Selnova Comfort series was designed with these needs in mind, with a flat washbasin design that offers extra legroom and toilets that feature a 70cm wide projection. The latter also comes with securely fitted seats, ensuring stability and preventing slips.
- Extended projection fixtures If your loved one uses a wheelchair, you know how crucial it is to comfortably position the wheelchair beneath the sink and facilitate an easy transfer to the toilet seat. And that’s what fixtures with extended projection are made for.
Now, a gentle, controlled closing mechanism doesn’t have to be clunky or cumbersome. Take it from Duravit’s slow-close toilet seats, which come in designs that tick both comfort and elegance off the list.
- Slow-close toilet seats Slow-close toilet seats reduce the risk of injury by eliminating the need to manually lower the seat—a task that can be challenging for those with limited strength or dexterity. Plus, it prevents sudden, loud slams that could startle the household, especially at night.
In addition to these personalised features, Duravit’s SensoWash® shower toilets come with a convenient night light that helps seniors stay oriented without disturbing their sleep with harsh lighting.
- Shower toilet Shower toilets, much like Japanese bidet toilets, make fiddling with a handheld bidet a thing of the past. With newer models, you can even customise settings ranging from the spray wand position to water jet intensity and temperature.
