If you have an elderly family member living with you, or are thinking about moving them in, you may want to consider renovating certain facilities and structure in your bathroom to make it more convenient. Not only is this comfortable for the elders, but also to anyone who is responsible in taking care of the elderly. Check out these bathroom renovation tips below to get you started.

1. Turn your showers curbless

Shower areas usually have a curb to avoid water from seeping to the whole bathroom. However, transitioning elders (who are in a wheelchair) to a curbed shower is difficult. Not to mention the possible accidents that you can encounter while transporting the elderly to the shower area. Furthermore, a curbless shower is easier to clean than a shower enclosure.

Curbless showers are imperfect and it has one main disadvantage you should know: it causes water to spread out the bathroom. Fortunately there are solutions for this problem. First, you have the option of installing a pivoting shower screen to act as a barrier between the shower area and the other parts of the bathroom. Second, you can install a rain head. The function of the rain head is to force water into a single concentrated spot (specifically the drain area).

2. Improve lighting

Elders are most likely to have impaired vision so you need to ensure the bathroom is properly lit. Use LED lights with high watts to illuminate the bathroom well. We also suggest installing a high quality nightlight in case the elderly have to use the bathroom during night-time. Installing nightlights along the hallway leading to the bathroom is also a good idea.

3. Bathroom should be on the same floor as to where the elder sleeps

Going to the bathroom shouldn’t be a struggle for seniors; which is why the bathroom should be on the same floor as where the elders sleep or stay for a long time. If creating a new bathroom is too difficult or expensive; then you should set up a chair lift to make it easier for seniors to travel between floors.

3. space for more maneuverability
   

Bathrooms that are too packed can become a trouble for seniors who have to use a wheelchair. In fact, they might not even get their wheelchair through the bathroom due to the limited space. For those of you who plan on renovating their bathroom; you should consider creating additional space for easier wheelchair movement.

About the Author:

Katie Jones is the content manager of http://www.plumberleichhardtnsw.com.au. She enjoys creating informative and useful material in relation to home improvement and plumbing.