Safe Bathrooms: Say Goodbye to the Hospital Look

We recently read about a woman, an active tennis player in her 60's, who was hesitant to adopt aging in place bathroom safety suggestions in her new "gorgeous" master bedroom renovation. Her concerns were aesthetic: "What would the neighbors think?" she asked her contractor. Fortunately, the contractor, an "aging in place" veteran, convinced her to install an easy-to-use taller "comfort" height toilet, a wheelchair-friendly wall mounted sink, a curbless shower, and reinforced shower walls tile for later installation of grab bars. Six months after the job was completed, our aging in place convert shattered both knees while playing tennis. Because of her foresight and a smart "aging in place" contractor, she was able to forego several months of inpatient rehabilitation and instead remained at home during her recovery.

The point here is; there can be a reluctance to move forward with the necessary aging in place planning because no one wants an "ugly" grab bar to mar their elegant bathroom remodel. This old and outdated thinking, symptomatic of a viewpoint that aging in place modifications are necessarily unattractive, intrusive, and overly clinical in appearance. As an interior designer, specializing in aging in place, we have the same experience with our 50+ clients.

It may have been true 20 years ago, but now there's a large and growing market for stylish and modern looking aging in place options that manufacturers have been quick to develop. Well known companies like Kohler, Moen, and Delta have revamped much of their product line. They are aggressively aiming their marketing efforts at people who have decided to live and age in place. Lesser broadly known companies such as Seachrome and Jaclo, to name a few are emphasizing luxury and function. Grab bars, for example, come in all shapes, sizes, textures, and colors; you can install them in a variety of angles and stylish finishes, including wood composites, matte black, or high tech metals.

Specialty companies have learned to seamlessly integrate grab bar safety features disguised in towel bars, soap dishes, water regulators, toilet roll holders, and shampoo racks. Designers and contractors are hiding grab bars as towel racks and integrating them into bathrooms as accent pieces, add to the overall design and safety of the room. As one of my fellow aging in place designers pointed out, "it's like hiding vegetables in the meal of a finicky eater."

In addition to the well-disguised grab bars, new tile composites contain grit surfaces that eliminate the need for using a rubber mat in your tub or shower. Artfully designed and reinforced water taps located on the sides of bathtubs not only look terrific but also serve as support bars that facilitate access to and from the bath.

If the goal is to create safe bathroom environments that have a contemporary look and feel, today's aging in place contractors and designers can meet that objective. Besides, incorporating style into your aging in place planning doesn't have to increase the cost of the remodel. We love talking about new products and design features that are revolutionizing our industry. Don't hesitate to shoot us an email or give us a call. We welcome your questions and comments.

P. S. Remember the concerns our tennis player had about her neighbor's reaction to the safer and more convenient bathroom renovation. They loved it!

New Year, New Master Bathroom

With a fresh 2018 calendar hanging on your wall and all of its empty boxes yet to be filled with to-dos, the start of a new year is naturally an optimistic time. Resolutions can come in all forms: eat healthier, become more patient, establish an exercise routine, get more sleep, or make changes around your home. For our client, the new year means a new, safe, aging in place home. 

You’ve followed us so far on our journey to making an 82 year olds life at home easier. We’ve shared our remodeling plans and heartwarming personal stories, but this week is going to be more technical. We are going to discuss planning for safety in the bathroom, and how these tips can improve independence and reduce the risk of falls in the bathroom. 

 Most people want to stay in their homes as long as possible. The trouble is, their homes may not be aging as well as they are. So, take your bathroom for example. Due to its hard and slippery surfaces, thousands of people visit the emergency room each year with injuries suffered while bathing, showering, or using the facilities. Despite that, many homeowners resist even small changes that would make the room safer because they fear their beautiful bathroom will end up looking institutional. However, the time has come for that fear to no longer exist. The very things that make your bathroom safer and easier to navigate— walk-in showers; higher toilets; grab bars— are also some of the latest design trends for any home! 

Bathroom modifications to safely age-in-place can be seamlessly integrated into any design plans, and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of an individual, while following general guidelines offered by ADA standards. Here are some practical yet aesthetically pleasing ways we will be transforming her master bathroom into a safe place to keep her independent and loving her new room:

Barrier Free Shower

A curb-less shower provides an accessible approach for anyone, with no tripping hazards. A pitched floor with a linear drain allows the water to drain toward the back of the shower and looks great.  Additional shower safety items include a handheld shower (the hose should be at least 6 feet long), and a seat (whether it’s a built-in, fold up or the most flexible: free standing). Make sure you have good light in the shower, and hang a shelf or install a cubby that keeps toiletries within easy reach.

Double Duty Grab Bars

Properly installed grab bars provide the assistance needed to navigate through the bathroom, to pull yourself up, and to maintain balance. In case you slip, you should place these at the entrance and inside the shower or tub and around the toilet at a comfortable height. Bars are typically hung horizontally, but hanging them vertically or on a diagonal is easier to reach if you’re on the floor after a fall. Grab bars are now showing up undetectable in bathrooms, camouflaged as part of many common bathroom fixtures such as toilet paper holders, towel bars, soap dishes, and as shelves. All of these are available in a variety of styles and finishes to match any decor and color scheme.

Tile Style

Tile shape, color, and size add to the design and personal style of any bathroom. For floor tiles, be sure to check that the coefficient of friction for wetness exceeds .60 as a general indicator of slip safety, and also select a tile rich in texture. Shower floors also benefit from smaller scale tile as increased grout surface will provide more grip. It’s also helpful to include an “orienting” border of tile in the shower so that it’s easy to understand where you are in the space (instances where there is vision or other cognitive impairment). 

Keep It Handy

Open shelves can be attractive if they’re tidy. Putting glass-front doors on your cabinets lets you see what’s inside without opening them. Look for cabinets with easy-close doors, interior pull out drawers, and all drawers using D-shaped pulls instead of knobs.

Re-Think The Sink

Sinks can be wall-mounted, pedestal, or open with a space underneath the cabinet.  Many cabinetry lines now offer standard accessible options to compliment your style, so ask while you are planning your bathroom.  Automatic faucets or ones with lever handles are best for ease of operation.

Toilet Envy

Personal hygiene toilets are all the rage, offering a modern all-in-one toilet/bidet option. These toilet seats go up and down as you approach, are heated, include multi area wash and dry functionality, and even offer a night light. If you are remodeling make sure you have your electrician provide an outlet near the toilet so you can upgrade from your basic toilet at any time. They are offered in a variety of styles and colors, and you can purchase the complete toilet or just the toilet seat, which provides the same functionality at a much lower cost. All toilets should be “comfort” height or 18” height for ease of use.

We are excited to incorporate many of these features in our client’s new first floor Master Bathroom, which will allow her to continue living independently and remain at home.  There’s nothing more rewarding then knowing you’re making a New Years resolution a reality while creating a safe, comfortable, and beautiful environment!