Any suggestions for remodeling the bathroom for aging parents?
April 22, 2009
A few months ago my mom fell down while getting out of the bathtub. This worried me. She gets around pretty good except for a cane to walk. My dad is healthy and has no problems of moving around.
They are on vacation and I would like to remodel the bathroom for my mom’s saftey while they are on vacation. It has a standard tub, standard toilet, and pedistal sink. I don’t want to change it too drastically because I am sure my dad would be really mad. Any ideas on remodeling the bathroom for the elder?
If you can, put in a “handicapped” shower/tub. When my father was hit by a car when i was younger, my mom re-did the bathroom to help him. She had a handicapped larger shower put in with a chair and easier-to-step-out of tub area. It didn’t look like a conventional hospital bathroom though, so your dad wouldn’t be too perterbed. I would say go to a home depot or a do-it-yourself store (i know…its a drag if it’s busy)…but tell them your thoughts and see if they can help out. Good luck. And bless you for helping them out!
I have the same issue with my mother. Hand-graspers are great. They need to be attached to a stud and in the right place for them to be handy. If it’s not too drastic, you might consider a step-in tub. If your mom prefers baths to showers, these can be a great addition to a home with aging parents. If that’s not possible, maybe a tub chair — it’s a little stool that you can adjust the height on to sit in the tub and shower, and once the shower is finished it can be removed. If either of them have poor balance or find it difficult to stand to take a shower, the chair is a great asset. You might also think about a riser or comode to put over the toilet if they have trouble getting up and down from the toilet. You can even buy handles that attach to the toilet, so they have something on each side to help. It’s tough when our parents get older and start having physical limitations, but there are so many wonderful product out there now to help them so that they can continue to live independent lives. Good luck.
You may want to consider researching products like the “walk in baths” from companies like Premier Bathrooms. My mother has severe osteoarthritis and her mobility in increasingly limited. I really think this would improve the quality of her life, not to mention be a lot safer. Worth a look. Blessings!
There’s a high toilet made for handicapped people that’s higher than a normal toilet, it’s supposedly easier for someone like your mother to get off without falling. I’ve also seen bathtubs advertised on TV with a door that opens to step into. My son (contractor) remodeled my handicapped neighbor’s bathroom, he’s in a wheelchair, and widened the doorway to get his wheelchair through. There are sturdy bars that attached to the wall around the bathtub to hold onto too.
My son is very thoughtful too, I’m sure your mother will love you even more for thinking of her. Good luck.
Put in hand grips on the shower wall, also on the side of the tub they make a hand grip that slips over…change the toilet and put in one that is higher and is easier for older people to get up and down….you can also put a hand grip on the wall by the toilet, make sure there is a rubber mat in the tub to prevent slipping. Those are about the easiest fixes and the least expensive other than taking out the tub and putting in a walk in shower. Nice thing for you to do for your parents.
With no offense to you, your Mom, Dad, or any of the very valid suggestions so far…AND without knowing your budget, or time frame at all, consider that HELPER BARS, might not work, in a TUB, given that someone has to be strong enough to actually PULL up, and hold their weight. Obviously they are a relatively inexpensive option. Rails on open walls certainly can be a benefit, as can a raised toilet. A PLACE to stick or hang the cane might be a PRIME goal.
I’d probably say the Heck with Dad and his anger, and go for the upright tub, with seat included. Certainly not cheap, but then neither are Moms health care issues.
OR, I’d do a shower install, forget the tub, and install a secure bench and hand held showering device. Preformed, substantial, shower units, begin in the $300 range.
Your Mom might prefer, or better use, a vanity with a sink installed, giving her extra utility space on a horizontal, and something better to Lean on should she need.
Bars installed should be vertical as well as Horizontal, for what will be obvious, apparent reasons.
Again, and with no offense to Dad. A womans bath/ bathroom time is/should be, about as personal as things get, and she may already be emotionally involved in her condition. I suspect your efforts to the MAX will not be so embarrassing, or a cause for “MAD”. I think Dad should help bite the bullet.
Steven Wolf
just my two “sense”
NON slip flooring, even Raw slate. NO throw rugs, or toilet surround rugs, unless you can secure them.
I would say the best thing to do first is declutter. Install safety grab bar inside the tub so it would be easy for her to get in and out of the tub. She might like a shower stool/chair. Get a bath mat for the tub and non-slip rugs for outside the tub. There are a lot of new products out there.
You should also replace the standard toilet with the comfort height/elongated one. She would really appreciate that. Good luck!
Like KatieBee suggested,Premeir Bath. They have several walk in bathtubs. You walk into them sit down,close the little door on the side,and then they fill up.They have several different models.I wished I could have gotten Dad one.Byee
Wife was injured & washing up is still a problem.
Might not need to “remodel”& feel like you are “intruding”.
All kinds of temporary & permanently installed assists available from surgical suppliers to rent or buy.
As usual the simplest work best.
Textured tub mat, extra rubber backed bath rug & when needed a kitchen stool for sitting at the sink.
We use a couple of resin lawn furniture footrests for support using the tub & shower..
A home therapist had her sit on the rest w/ rug under it,swing her legs over the side of the tub & slide down for a bath or sit on the other one in the tub to shower,
Reverse order for getting out
Also put in a dual head shower with one head on a flex hose .
Found one that did not require drilling.
She can use one of the rests to sit on in the tub & still shower all over w/ the flex.
Grab rails are good if they are permanently installed…that’s next
The ones w/ suction cups slide & do not recommend.
The.place will not look like a hospital & you shouldnt get flack from dad.
Best regards