When remodeling your bathroom, it’s advisable to add some features that will help prevent slips and falls. Falls in general may account for up to 95% of all hip fractures as well as other injuries. A few recommendations to minimize the situation would be to have a curbless shower, if possible.
What that means is to eliminate a curb that you have to step over to get in and out of the shower, which can be hazardous as we get older. Select a product for the vanity and shower floor that is slip-resistant/textured to prevent a fall. It’s also recommended to have multiple grab bars in the wet areas to be able to stabilize yourself in case you become unsteady for some reason.
Built-in bench seats are also advantageous. If wheelchair accessibility is important, the entrance into the bathroom as well as the shower should be wide enough to accommodate the width of the wheelchair. The turning radius in the vanity area should be large enough to ensure that someone in a wheelchair can move freely within that area. Your toilet should be ADA height. Also, make sure that your lighting is more than adequate in order to navigate properly in your newly remodeled bathroom. These are a few tips that will make aging in place much easier as you enjoy your new sanctuary.
