Bathroom for seniors
December 2021

Bathroom equipment for elderly users - things to keep in mind
The population of Europe has been ageing for many years now. An increasing challenge for health care is not the only consequence. The ever-increasing number of elderly people is prompting manufacturers of finishing materials and sanitary equipment to design products that meet the needs of senior citizens. As a result, arranging an ergonomic bathroom for an elderly person should no longer be a challenge.
From all the rooms we have in our house, the bathroom is the most common place where accidents happen. They are often caused by tiles that got slippery after contact with water. For this reason, non-slip floor tiles are an absolute must. They should be placed in every bathroom that an elderly person uses. However, this is not the only thing we should take care of. We have to consider the height of the toilet seat, and whether it is better to buy a bathtub or a shower. We should also think of various accessories, such as seats or safety rails for stability. Not having high thresholds will also ensure greater safety.
Shower or bathtub in a bathroom for seniors?
The most important area in the bathroom is the bathing area, and it should be looked at first. The choice is between bathtubs and showers, and it is the latter that we should focus on. Getting into the bathtub can be difficult for elderly users as they would have to lift their legs, which often causes trouble. Also, accidents do happen. On the other hand, there are elderly people who are so used to bathing that they do not want to give it up. In this case, it is worth equipping the bathtub with practical grab bars to make it easier for them to get in and out.
Shower enclosures are much more senior friendly. There is no need to put excessive effort to use it and, in the case of enclosures with a flat shower tray, there isn’t much elevation from the floor. A walk-in shower would be just perfect. To make the shower for an elderly person as functional as possible, it is worth investing in additional accessories that can be installed inside. So, what are they?

Practical elements used in a bathroom for an elderly person: grab bars, seats and covers
Basic bathroom equipment is just one side of the coin. Accessories for a senior also count, as they make the bathroom even better suited to the needs of the elderly person. We can choose from ergonomic seats that can be installed in the shower. They will make it easier for the seniors to take a shower, and once standing under the stream of water becomes tiring, they can sit down. Also, let's not forget about the grab bars that were mentioned earlier. These will be useful inside the shower enclosure, by the bathtub and by the toilet seat. The elderly person will be able use them if the muscles refuse to obey. They are versatile enough to be installed even in a small bathroom.
Toilet seat and washbasin - what to consider