There are several reasons why some seniors decide against moving into a retirement home. Living at home, or with family, allows them to keep to their own routines and never have meals or activities scheduled for them. It means having more space and not having to sell or store possessions. Crucially, it’s also much cheaper.
All these reasons and more are why, according to a recent AARP survey, 76% of seniors plan to age in place. The remaining 24% includes those who want to move to another home alone and those who want to move in with children or other family members. However, staying out of institutions means accepting increased risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four seniors suffers a fall every year, and one in five such falls results in a broken bone. Retirement homes are built to minimize the risk of falls.
If you or a loved one plans to age outside an institution, one crucial area to improve is the bathroom. It’s a common site of falls. Here are a few things you can do to make your bathroom safer.
Step-in tubs and showers. Most seniors suffer from balance problems at some point, so stepping into a traditional tub or even over the lip of a shower pan can be difficult. Step-in tubs have a waterproof door that you can open when you want to step in; these often come with built-in seats. Step-in showers have a shower pan that sits under the floor tile, within a recessed floor, and are the choice for those who use a walker or a wheelchair in the shower. You can also purchase a free-standing shower seat.
Nonslip mats. The problem with tiles is that they’re slippery when wet, and if you fall, you strike a hard surface. Both of those problems can be cheaply and easily fixed with nonslip mats around the tub and the sink.
Handholds. A small improvement that’s helpful for seniors is to install grab bars around the tub and the toilet to help the user lower him- or herself into a seated position. An even easier improvement is a floor-to-ceiling tension pole, which can be installed in spaces where grab bars aren’t an option.
Better lighting. One good way to prevent falls is to make sure you spot obstructions. Adding more lights or using brighter bulbs in existing ones can make your bathroom safer.
Aging in place or in a family home is a popular choice, but it requires some planning. Adding senior-friendly improvements to your bathroom prevents falls and makes your home a safer place.