A Guide To Bathroom Adaptions For the Elderly

Updated July 2024

Are you finding that maintaining independence is challenging as you or a loved one grow older? There are numerous home adaptions for elderly people, but maintaining independence becomes increasingly important in the bathroom as we age. 

The bathroom is a tricky place to navigate when your mobility is restricted. Stepping in and out of the bath or shower, lowering oneself onto the toilet, and moving around on a slippery floor all pose several risks that can lead to serious injury. 

With a few adaptions, bathrooms for elderly people can be made safer and easier to use independently. We have put together this guide to offer some top tips to consider when making bathroom adaptions for the elderly.

The Top 10 Bathroom Solutions for the Elderly

Creating a safe and accessible bathroom for elderly users involves incorporating a range of products designed to enhance mobility and reduce the risk of injury. Here’s a detailed look at 10 key adaptions:

1. Bath Seats, Lifts, and Transfer Benches

• Bath seats: Portable bath seats provide a secure and comfortable place to sit while bathing, significantly reducing the risk of slipping and falling. They are essential for those who need extra support while in the bath and can be easily removed to accommodate other people who use the bathroom and don’t need them.
• Bathing cushion lift: Bathing cushions are ideal for those who have difficulty getting in and out of the bath. The inflatable bathing cushion gently lowers users into the bath and raises them out when needed. The cushion allows you to lie right down at the bottom of the bath or keep some air in for back support. They are portable, lightweight, and very stable, providing safety and comfort.
• Transfer benches: These benches extend over the side of the bath, allowing users to sit and slide into the tub without having to step over the edge. They are perfect for those with limited mobility, ensuring a safer and easier transition into the bath.

2. Shower Aids for the Elderly

• Shower seats and chairs: Shower seats and chairs provide stability while showering and are available in both fixed and movable options. They are essential for elderly users who need to sit while showering, ensuring a comfortable and safe experience.
• Shower commodes: Combining the functionality of a shower chair with a commode, these versatile products can be used in the shower and as a toilet. They provide convenience and safety for those who require assistance with bathing and toileting.

3. Handrails and Grab Bars

Grab bars are an essential safety feature for any elderly bathroom remodel. For complete assurance, the metal bars should be professionally installed and tightly secured to the walls.

As the name suggests, grab bars give the elderly user something secure to hold onto for balance. If placed in the right areas, they make using the bathroom a much safer and more comfortable experience for those with limited mobility. 

Strategically placed handrails and grab bars provide essential support, making it easier and safer to move around the bathroom. As the name suggests, grab bars give the elderly user something secure to hold onto for balance. If placed in the right areas, they make using the bathroom a much safer and more comfortable experience for those with limited mobility. 

Typically, grab bars should be positioned on the wall next to the

• Bath
• Shower 
• Toilet.

Depending on the size and layout of the room, these may also need to be placed in areas with large empty spaces to assist movement around the room. 

4. Raised Toilet Seats, Toilet Lifters and Toilet Frames

Raised toilet seats: This simple adaption to the toilet for elderly users makes it easier to sit down and stand up confidently. 

Toilet frames: For those who find it difficult to transition between sitting and standing positions, a toilet frame is a reasonably priced and useful device that increases stability and safety on the toilet.

Toilet lifters: For a more advanced solution, consider installing a toilet lifter. Also known as toilet elevators, these devices provide crucial support by gently lowering users onto the toilet and raising them back up to their feet. Fitted over your existing WC, toilet lifters are ideal for those who struggle to bend unaided at the hip or knee. This addition makes getting on and off the toilet safer and more manageable, promoting greater autonomy in daily routines.

5. Sinks

• Lever anti-scald taps: Lever taps are easier to use than traditional twist taps, particularly for those with limited hand dexterity. Anti-scald features prevent accidental burns, adding an extra layer of safety and ensuring peace of mind.
• Pop-up sink plug: A pop-up sink plug is perfect for elderly individuals, offering easy push-button drainage and simple maintenance. It reduces the need for twisting or pulling, making it ideal for those with limited hand strength or arthritis. Fast drainage prevents water overflow. It also means the plug can not be lost or dropped, enhancing safety, independence, and convenience in daily bathroom use.

Related Reading: Arthritis Bathroom Aids and 10 Top Tips for Bathing with Arthritis

6. Adjustable Shower Heads

Adjustable shower heads offer flexibility in height and angle, making showering more convenient and comfortable for users of different mobility levels.

They allow users to sit comfortably and shower without having to hold the shower head, leaving hands free for an easier, safer and more comfortable shower experience.

7. Low-Level Slip-Resistant Shower Trays

Low-level shower trays eliminate the need to step over a high threshold to enter the shower. They provide a safer alternative as they significantly reduce the height a person needs to raise their foot and leg to enter the shower. Always check the tray has a slip-resistant coating, reducing the risk of slips and falls. 

8. Non-Slip Bath and Shower Mats

Non-slip mats for the bath and shower are essential for preventing falls and providing a secure footing in the bath and shower. They are a simple yet effective way to enhance bathroom safety for elderly users.

9. Pump Bottles or Wall Dispensers

Replacing traditional bottles with pump bottles or wall-mounted dispensers makes accessing shampoo, soap, and other toiletries easier, reducing the need for twisting and turning. This adaptation also leaves hands free to hold grab rails and reduces the risk of spills from products and falls.

10. Proper Lighting and Mirror Placement

Adequate lighting and well-placed mirrors are crucial for visibility and safety. Ensure the bathroom is well-lit and mirrors are positioned at appropriate heights for easy use. This can help prevent accidents and make daily tasks easier for elderly users. For elderly people with dementia, mirrors may cause anxiety and distress and should be removed.

Related Reading: Elderly Bathing and Hygiene Guide

Our team at Age Care Bathrooms specialises in creating safe, comfortable, and stylish mobility bathrooms for elderly people. With over 30 years of experience, we offer a range of bathroom adaptions and solutions tailored to your specific needs and budget. 

Contact our team today at 0800 999 8994 or fill out our enquiry form to learn more about our mobility bathroom adaptions and book your free home survey.

Designing Bathrooms for Elderly People 

When selecting a mobility bathroom design, balancing functionality, aesthetics, and cost is crucial. The design must accommodate specific mobility needs while reflecting personal taste, ensuring the bathroom is safe and comfortable.

Here are the key fixtures and features that enhance safety, independence, and dignity for older individuals:

• Walk-In Baths

For those who prefer a bath over a shower but need help getting in and out of a traditional tub, walk-in baths offer an ideal solution. Designed to be accessible and simple to use, walk-in baths benefit people of all mobility levels, with a very low entry step and inward-opening doors. Additional features like power seats can lift and lower you into the tub, enhancing ease and comfort.

At Age Care Bathrooms, we have been installing bathroom adaptions for the elderly for over 30 years and offer a range of walk-in baths. Plus, we will remove your old bath, so you can start using your new walk-in bath immediately. 

To view our complete selection of easy-access baths, download our free walk-in bath guide.

• Walk-In Showers and Wet Rooms

If mobility issues or wheelchair use make traditional showers difficult, a walk-in shower, also known as a level-access shower or a wet room, might be the perfect solution. These shower areas feature no step or tray, providing completely level access and making entry and exit in a wheelchair or with a walking aid as easy as possible. With various doors and screens to choose from, you can customise the design to suit your personal preferences and specific mobility needs.

Wet rooms are popular as they are watertight and covered with anti-slip flooring, providing unrestricted access to the shower, sink and toilet, making them ideal for wheelchair users. Adding shower seats can further enhance comfort and ease while showering. For more information about walk-in showers and mobility wet rooms and to arrange a free home survey, contact our expert team today.

• Non-Slip Vinyl Flooring 

It’s essential to use non-slip flooring in bathrooms for the elderly. Non-slip vinyl flooring is the most popular option, providing an extensive choice of designs for all budgets. 

At Age Care Bathrooms, vinyl non-slip flooring is a standard feature in all our mobility bathroom installations. Another tip is using contrasting colours for walls and floors, which can help prevent confusion for individuals who are sight impaired. This can also make it easier for people with symptoms of dementia feel more confident when using the bathroom. 

• Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets, also known as disabled toilets, are designed to help you or a loved one use the toilet safely and with ease, promoting continued independence.

At Age Care Bathroom, we offer a comprehensive range of accessible toilets, including the following:

Auto bidet wash dry disabled toilets: These advanced toilets offer automated cleaning and drying features, ensuring optimal hygiene and comfort with minimal effort. They provide a convenient solution for maintaining cleanliness and independence in the bathroom.

Height-powered disabled toilets: With adjustable height options, these toilets make transfers safer and more manageable by customising comfort and access. Ideal for those with very limited mobility, height-powered toilets come in two types:

• Tilt-powered disabled toilets: These toilets tilt the seat to a raised angle, giving users a gentle boost when getting on and off.
• Full rise disabled toilets: These toilets lower and raise users to a comfortable position, facilitating easier transfers.

Raised-height disabled toilets: Designed to make sitting down and standing up easier, raised-height toilets are particularly effective when paired with fold-up support rails. They enhance safety and ease of use for elderly and disabled individuals.

Related Reading: Promoting Independence after a Stroke: Bathroom Adaptions for the Disabled

Bathroom Adaptions for the Elderly: Final Thoughts

Bathroom adaptions for the elderly can boost confidence, independence and autonomy. If you or your elderly relative struggles with getting up and down the stairs, your home should have at least one elderly-friendly bathroom on the first floor. If you don’t have a downstairs bathroom, it may be possible to convert an understairs cupboard into a downstairs toilet. Alternatively, you could consider installing a chair lift for easier access to the second floor.

Are you considering updating your bathroom to better suit the needs of an older person or yourself? We offer a vast selection of styles and fittings so you can design a bathroom that reflects your taste while incorporating features that enhance safety and comfort. Our experienced team can guide you through the entire process, from choosing the right fixtures and fittings to future-proofing your bathroom to accommodate changing mobility needs.

If you’d like to learn more about modifications and mobility bathrooms for the elderly, arrange your free home visit and consultation with our friendly team today. Call us on 0800 999 8994 or fill out our enquiry form.