BATHROOM MODIFICATIONS
Falls in the bathroom occur more frequently than anywhere else in the home and tend to lead to more serious injuries. The bathroom is especially treacherous for homeowners over the age of 65 and for that reason should be given special consideration when making home modifications for aging-in-place. There are many things to consider when you are trying to minimize the risk of falling in the bathroom. The experts a HomeAid will help you identify fall hazards and educate you on options to alleviate or minimize those hazards. We will then develop a plan to modify your bathroom so it is both safe and functional.
Comfort should also be given consideration when modifying a bathroom for aging-in-place. After all, a bathroom should not only be safe and accessible, but also enjoyable. A walk-in jacuzzi tube to ease aches and pains, heated radiant floors, or a dedicated bathroom heater on its own thermostat are just a few ways we can design a bathroom to make it more comfortable for the homeowner.
Bathtubs
Many falls occur when exiting or entering a standard bathtub. That risk is increased when the homeowner suffers from functional limitations such as weakness or poor balance. Transferring safely in or out of a standard bathtub becomes even more of a fall risk if the homeowner uses a cane or walker.
Walk-in bathtubs can significantly reduce the risk of falls by eliminating many of the physical challenges homeowners may experience when using a standard bathtub. Walk-in bathtubs can also make bathing easier, which improves overall hygiene and some even offer therapeutic benefits if equipped with massage jets.
Walk-in bathtubs are relatively easy to install and can replace your current bathtub, or shower. Walk-in tubes come with many different styles and price points.
Please click on the logos below to learn more about the walk-in bathtub brands we offer.
Curbless Showers
A curbless shower can be installed in any bathroom to improve shower accessibility and function. A curbless, or zero entry shower reduces the risk of falls by eliminating the need to step over the edge of a shower pan or stall. Since a zero entry shower has no curb, they are ideal for homeowners that use a wheel chair or walker for mobility. A wheelchair can easily be maneuvered into a curbless shower allowing a safer transfer onto a shower chair. In addition to improving safety and accessibility, the seamless nature of zero entry showers can give your bathroom a more luxurious feel.
Additional measures can be taken to improve the safety and function of a zero entry shower. For example, a detachable, sliding shower head can be installed to enable you to bath standing up or sitting on a shower chair. Grab bars can be installed to prevent slips and falls. A wall mounted folding shower chair can be used in small showers to maximize space. Additional modifications may be recommended based on your unique needs.
Aging-in-place is all about eliminating barriers to improve safety and function. There are many things to consider when installing a curbless shower. The appropriate location of the decorative grab bars, the correct shower head, the shower enclosure and the type of tile are just a few. The experts at HomeAid will walk you though your options and make recommendations that will ensure your curbless shower improves your bathrooms accessibility, safety and beauty.
Decorative Grab Bars
Grab bars greatly reduce the risk of falls and make tasks in the bathroom easier. Despite the benefits, many homeowners are reluctant to install grab bars because they are concerned it will make their bathroom look institutional. Thankfully, as the aging-in-place market has grown grab bars have become more decorative and designed specifically to be less noticeable. As a result, grab bars can now be seamlessly integrated into the decor of a bathroom. For example, grab bars often double as shower shelves, towel racks and even toilet paper holders. Grab bars come in a multitude of styles and finishes to suite virtually any taste.
Homeaid will give you recommendations as to the where grab bars should be placed to optimize your bathrooms safety and accessibility. The placement will depend on factors such as the layout of the bathroom and the functional abilities of the homeowner. Special care must be taken to ensure grab bars are installed correctly. When not anchored correctly grab bars can be ripped out of the wall, resulting in a fall or injury.
Please click on the logos below to explore the deferent grab bar styles and options.
Flooring
According to the National Floor Safety Institute 2 million fall injuries per year are attributable directly to the type of flooring. Tile is inherently slick, especially in the bathroom where the floor routinely gets wet. However, some types of tile are more slick than others. For example, porcelain and ceramic tiles are notorious for being slick due to their non-porous, smooth nature. A slip resistance rating system called COF (or coefficient of friction) is used to rate how slip resistant a type of tile is. he higher the COF, the more slip resistant the tile.
With tile manufactures offering more slip resistant options, the designers at Homeaid will be able help you chose a tile that looks beautiful, and has an acceptable COF. If installing a new floor is not in the budget a slip resistant coating can be applied to your current tile to make it less slick.
Additional comfort can be added to your bathroom by installing a radiant heating system under the tile floor. The system operates on its own thermostat and can heat the floor to up 85 degrees, eliminating cold feet in the winter months. Radiant floor heat will also allow you to heat the bathroom to a temperature that is higher than the rest of the home making for a more comfortable environment with stepping out of the shower or bathtub.