If you live with older family members or will soon be, it’s crucial that parts of your home are safe, accessible, and comfortable, including the bathroom. You can do this by installing various plumbing features and shower aids for the elderly, which help promote independence and prevent risks of injuries. Here are some of them:
Grab Bars and Handrails
One of the most essential bathroom aids for seniors are grab bars and handrails. They provide support and assistance, ensuring stability when standing and moving around. Installing these devices reduces the risks of slips and falls that can cause significant injury. Grab bars and handrails are best placed in high-risk areas, such as beside the toilet and inside the shower or bathtub.
Upgraded Toilets
Another major challenge for older individuals is using toilets, especially if they have weak joints and bones. Some upgrades to consider include:
- Comfort-Height Toilets: As the name suggests, this plumbing fixture is modified to be at a comfortable height for seniors. These toilets are usually several inches taller than standard ones, minimizing the need for individuals to stoop too low and making sitting and standing up easier.
- Smart Toilets: This toilet has advanced features that offer improved convenience and functionality for the elderly. Aside from automatic seats, other common features include automatic flushing, air dryers, deodorizers, lighting, and self-cleaning capabilities.
Walk-In Tubs and Showers
Taking baths can pose safety risks for seniors, especially those with certain health conditions or mobility issues. They can easily lose their balance when walking in and out of tubs or slip when showering without additional support.
Walk-in tubs and showers often have non-slip flooring, built-in seating, and grab bars or handrails, so installing them can provide a worry-free bathing experience for the elderly. These accessible tubs also typically have a low step-in threshold and handheld shower wands and may be customized with hydrotherapy jets to soothe sore joints and muscles.
Contact HJ Pertzborn for Trusted Residential Plumbing Services
With these upgrades, you can enhance the safety, accessibility, and convenience in your bathroom and mitigate the unique challenges of the elderly at home. Reach out to HJ Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection today! Our team can provide expert advice to help you decide on the best bathroom aids for seniors and assist with plumbing services, including installation, repair, and maintenance.