The concept of aging in place isn’t new, but it is gaining steam in today’s world. Nursing homes can be lonely and expensive. With more people opting out of nursing homes than ever before, aging in place has become the standard for elderly citizens.
Whether you’re housing an elderly family or you yourself are looking to age comfortably in the peace of your own home, there are features you’ll need to keep you safe. Old age typically comes with a decrease in balance as well as other functions that you use to avoid injury on a daily basis.
This means you need extra support and stability in the form of aging-in-place features. In case you’re interested in aging in place, here are some bathroom features you should incorporate.
- A Non-Slip Floor
Bathroom floors can get pretty slippery. Slips lead to falls and falls lead to injury, so having a non-slip floor is essential. Both cork and rubber make excellent choices for flooring that won’t become slippery, even when wet.
They also have some give to them and won’t result in bruising should you or a loved one hit the deck. Of course, you’ll need to make sure you have adequate floor drainage as well, especially if you have a wet bathroom.
- Touchless Faucets
No longer just a staple of public restrooms, touchless faucets allow you to turn your sinks on and off without reaching all the way to the back of your counter to grab a handle or knob. They lessen the likelihood of a muscle strain or fall occurring, and they are easier on the small joints of the hands and fingers too. Shop Kissah Single Lever
- Curved Countertops
Countertop edges take the lives of many elderly people each year. These edges tend to be hard and pointy, which spells disaster for a vulnerable citizen who might stumble or slip into one. If you want a bathroom fit for aging in place, you need curved, smooth countertop edges.
You might also consider fitting some specialized padding around the edges of your bathroom countertops for extra protection. It might seem insignificant but it can quite literally mean the difference between life and death in many cases.
- High Toilets
Many elderly folks have weak or compromised knees, which makes squatting down onto a normal toilet a painful and potentially dangerous experience. Raise your toilets up to the point where you don’t need to put undue pressure on your knees when sitting down.
You should also have at least two handrails in your bathroom. One for support getting in and out of the shower and one for getting up and down on the toilet.
Make Your Bathroom Nearly Injury-Proof with these Safety Features
The bathroom is one of the deadliest rooms in any house, so implement non-slip flooring, curved countertop edges with padding, touchless faucets, and high toilets. Doing so will allow you to rest easier at night knowing your bathroom won’t be the cause of injury to yourself or someone you love.
Skylar Ross is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. He is a blogger and content writer for the residential and commercial flooring industry. Skylar is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and manufacturers discover materials and methods of installation that increase property value, improve durability, and discover innovative flooring options for their home or commercial space.
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