Shower enclosure for seniors - how to adapt it?

There are at least several reasons why more thought should be given to choosing an enclosure for an elderly person. Safety is important, above all. As we age, the body mobility decreases. For this reason, the elderly are much more susceptible to falls and injuries. The consequences of such accidents are usually much more serious than in younger people, and their body takes longer to recover. The risk of injury is even greater when one has to lift their legs high when entering the shower, and if while stepping out of the shower onto the slippery floor there’s nothing to hold on to keep the balance. Looking from this perspective, it can be said that an inadequate shower enclosure can pose a serious threat to the user’s health and life.

While it’s the most important, a senior’s shower stall must offer not only a sense of security, but also comfort. Naturally, needs change with age. The concept of comfort is also relative and is perceived in different ways. So what’s important in this case? When looking through showers for the elderly, we should make sure that the entryway isn’t too high. Showering is supposed to be a relaxing activity, not a source of worry and discomfort from straining joints when getting in and out. Convenience is also when the elderly person is able to take a shower on their own by having, for example, grab bars for support or a seat to sit on. Apart from difficulty with maintaining balance, regulating the water temperature can be a challenge, which should also be addressed.

We already know that shower enclosures for the elderly require thinking about the predispositions and needs of their future users. A question now arises: what should a good shower enclosure for the elderly be like? Here are some elementary features:

1. Low or no shower tray. If the senior’s shower tray isn’t high, the risk of falling significantly decreases since there’s no need to lift legs. Investing in the right tray directly increases safety.
2. Wide shower entryway. In the bathroom - especially a small one - we often look for ways to optimize the use of space. Sometimes it’s at the expense of smaller pieces of sanitary ware. In the case of a bathroom designed for use by an elderly person, it’s better to be cautious. Not only will a small shower stall be uncomfortable, but also not as safe as one with a larger entryway. The ideal shower enclosures for seniors have wide doors, or no doors at all as it is with walk-in showers.
3. Safe and comfortable shower interior. A low shower tray and a wider entryway aren’t the only aspects that promote convenience. Inside of the shower stall the elderly person should find a non-slip floor, sturdily mounted grab bars and, in some cases, an ergonomic seat. Shelves for toiletries also improve convenience when showering.
4. Right faucet and shower head. As mentioned before, adjusting the temperature is one of the issues that the elderly face while using the shower. To prevent this, a good suggestion would be to invest in a thermostatic valve, where we can set a fixed temperature. This way the body won’t get scalded or too cold. A good choice is also a shower head with an option to adjust the direction and strength of the stream.

The evolution of human needs that progresses with age applies to all areas of life. This must not be overlooked when planning our interior design. The decor must suit our lifestyle, tastes and health state. A bathroom for the elderly must take into account the existing or possible future mobility problems. Therefore, installation of grab bars and safety barriers is something that is very often considered. Grab bars are installed on the walls and at the shower door. In case the elderly person loses their balance or feels dizzy, they can hold on to it. Safety barriers, on the other hand, are longer rails that are located at the edges of the shower tray and immediately above the floor. Their role is to provide additional protection from falling. Grab bars and barriers are available in many variants, so you can choose something that will go well with your interior design.

While it’s possible to predict what elementary needs and expectations for using a shower an elderly person has, it shouldn’t be forgotten that every person is different. There’s also the matter of their health state. Ideally, a senior’s shower stall should be selected according to the capability of the elderly person who will use it.

A shower enclosure for the elderly must be the right size. It’s not only about the aforementioned door, but also about the interior. This way the elderly person has freedom of movement. A low shower tray and a good shower faucet are important. These are the elements that will work in any case. However, shower enclosures for the elderly don’t always include grab bars, rails and a seat. There are fully capable seniors who don’t want this type of equipment. So if the senior doesn’t have mobility difficulties or disability, before the senior’s shower gets equipped with safety barriers or other elements, it’s better to make sure that the future user will be satisfied with them.

Ergonomics is at the forefront when creating the bathroom arrangement. The metric area and the needs of the users are always taken into account. When it’s about a bathroom for seniors, it’s best to immediately look at showers for the elderly. In the case of younger people, it’s not always necessary to do a renovation when thinking about a shower enclosure. Sometimes all it takes is a bath screen, which will complement the bathtub with a sheet of glass, so that it can serve as a shower. However, such an option may be inconvenient for the elderly. Instead, you can opt for a modular cabin tailored to the needs of the elderly, from SanSwiss offer. The manufacturer also offers ultra-slim shower trays and useful shower accessories and parts. Choosing SanSwiss products, you get a guarantee that your bathroom will have practical, durable and elegant sanitary ware and equipment.

Although the shower stall is among the most important pieces of bathroom sanitary ware, it’s not the only element that determines the comfort of an elderly person. The entire decor and furnishings count. For more information on how to arrange the bathroom for an elderly person, check the article “Bathroom for seniors”.