There are millions of Americans either at or approaching senior age, and an increasing trend among such individuals is a desire to remain in their homes as they get older. This is known in many circles as “aging in place,” and it’s a process both seniors and their family members/caregivers can prepare for in a few ways — including with upgrades to the bathroom space.
At HBI General Contractor, we’re proud to offer a wide range of kitchen and bathroom remodeling services, including cabinet remodeling and several others. We’ve assisted many clients with their remodeling needs as they look to age in place with ease and limited hassle, and we’ll do the same for you. Why is the bathroom a vital part of this process, and what are some bathroom remodeling themes to consider here? Let’s go through a basic primer.
Why Bathrooms Are Vital for Aging in Place
First and foremost, let’s address the importance of the bathroom in this process. Many seniors will begin to experience issues with mobility as they age, and this can make it difficult or dangerous to move around the house — especially if stairs are involved. The bathroom is usually located on the first floor of most homes, which helps mitigate this problem to some degree.
In addition, many seniors begin to experience issues with their vision, and again, the bathroom is usually pretty well-lit. This can help seniors avoid accidents, while also promoting better hygiene habits overall. Add in the fact that many crucial features in a bathroom can be automated or otherwise made easier to use (like toilets, showers, and sinks), and it’s easy to see why a bathroom remodel often holds major value here.
Our next several sections will go over themes to consider for your aging-in-place bathroom remodel.
Cabinet Remodeling
For many seniors, bending down to access lower cabinets can be painful or even dangerous. As such, one of the first things we often recommend is cabinet remodeling that places these features at a more accessible height. We can easily do this without compromising on style or functionality, and it’s a great way to make your bathroom safer and easier to use overall.
Curbless Shower
Also known as a zero-threshold shower, this is a type of shower that doesn’t have a lip or other feature that could potentially cause someone to trip. They’re also easier to enter and exit for those with mobility issues, and they can be outfitted with a variety of different features (like grab bars) to further promote safety.
Grab Bars
Another common request we get is for grab bars to be installed in strategic areas around the bathroom. These can provide support and stability for seniors as they move around, and they can be placed virtually anywhere there’s an open wall space.
In part two of our series, we’ll go over some additional themes to consider for your bathroom remodel as you age in place. For more on this, or to learn about any of our kitchen or bathroom remodeling and cabinet remodeling services, speak to the team at HBI General Contractor today.
