According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury and death among older adults. The bathroom, in particular, can create a lot of safety concerns for seniors, including things like slipping, falling from stepping over the lip of a bath, falling while getting up or down to use the toilet, and more. The many safety concerns may seem overwhelming, but here at Doppler Construction, we specialize in creating safe environments for seniors. The following ideas are just some of the ways you can design your bathroom with safety in mind.
The bathroom is often a higher risk area for slipping because of water from the bath or shower as well as condensation from running hot water. Simple things like non-slip rugs can be an easy way to combat this issue. This addition doesn’t have to be at the cost of your aesthetic, either. There are a variety of different designs you can choose from for a non-slip rug in your bathroom. Adding railings can be another way to avoid slips and falls. Railings in the shower or bath, as well as along the walls and near the toilet, can allow seniors a handy place to grab onto and steady themselves as they move throughout the bathroom.
The flooring you choose can also play a large part in safety. If you have flooring like highly polished stone, this can increase fall risks as it can be incredibly slippery when wet. Vinyl flooring can be one of the best options for bathrooms in general but especially bathrooms for seniors. Non-slip vinyl flooring will help prevent falls and is available in a variety of colors and designs.
When it comes to flexibility in the bathroom, you can choose hardware options like adjustable shower heads that make it easier and more accessible for seniors to use. It may also be smart to include a shower chair or seat for less mobile seniors, so they wash with much more ease and comfort.
Whether out of concern for yourself, a friend, or a family member, there will most likely come a time when you start to wonder about age-related safety concerns in a home. Seniors are at a higher risk of falling and suffer much more serious consequences if they do have a fall. This can be quite concerning for older individuals or their caretakers and may have you looking at the areas in your home through a different lens. While safety improvements could be made throughout the house, the bathroom may be the space you want to focus on first, as a staggering 80% of falls in the home occur in the bathroom. Here at Doppler Construction, we always put safety first, which is why we always make sure our projects are ADA-compliant. Contact us today to see how we can help you design your senior-friendly bathroom!
If you have questions or would like a free estimate we’d love to hear from you. Call us today at 219-661-1011 to see what Doppler Construction can do for you and your family.
