Seniors struggle with mobility challenges and balance problems, and homes with stairs and high ledges can result in falls. Converting regular bathtubs and showers into the walk-in variety is a huge step toward making a home safer for seniors. They are extremely helpful for seniors who struggle with balance.
Yes, walk-in showers are generally considered to be a good investment, as they can improve the accessibility and functionality of a bathroom and are normally suitable for most users.
Consider a Curbless Shower
A curbless shower has no threshold. It's easy for older people to access, even those in a wheelchair. The shower walls are transparent so that an older person can see clearly. Curbless showers are aesthetically pleasing and add to the value of a home.
They eliminate the need for stepping over ledges or entering steep thresholds to shower, eliminating the chances of tripping and making them perfect for senior homeowners and people with disabilities. Homeowners with little time to spare in cleaning their bathrooms will benefit well from walk-in showers.
As people get older, they have less energy to get things done each day. Usually, personal hygiene (specifically bathing) is one of those things that gets neglected. So how often should an elderly bathe? To avoid any skin conditions or infections, a senior should bathe at least once or twice a week.
Bathing once or twice a week is acceptable for older adults, as the purpose is to prevent the skin from breaking down and lower the risk of skin infections. Seniors also tend to be less active than younger adults, so they can get away with fewer baths. However, you don't want your loved one to develop body odor.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines an “older adult” as someone who is at least 60 years old. Many states may also have different definitions of “elderly” when determining what resources are available in cases of elder abuse, although most states commonly use 65 years of age as the cut-off.
Install a Shower Splash Guard
Splash guards are small, triangular-shaped rubber fins that are placed along the corners where the shower wall meets the floor. They're typically glued in place or attached with self-adhesive strips and can stop water from leaking out the corners of the shower.
Doorless walk in showers have a greater propensity for water to splash out of as opposed to walk in shower enclosures that feature shower doors. However, any sort of walk in shower space should be designed to incorporate adequate room to contain the splashback and water flow.
A doorless shower can bring out a more modern and high-end look to any bathroom. This bathroom feature also creates an open and spacious atmosphere. The seamless entry and movement provided by a doorless shower upgrade a bathroom to a whole new level of luxury. Doorless showers also offer easy accessibility.
However, with age, it can become a struggle to bathe or shower daily. This may be due to mobility or simply not having enough energy. But for the elderly, having a shower once or twice a week is sufficient to keep skin conditions and infections at bay.
Acrylic. Along with being beautiful and fully customizable, acrylic shower systems are the easiest to clean. This innovative material is naturally resistant to fading, scratching, and staining, and acrylic showers are installed in one solid piece so no stubborn grout lines are present.
Place a non-slip mat or decals on the floor of the shower or bathtub and a non-slip rug on the floor outside the tub or shower. Non-slip mats – rather than fluffy rugs – are also the way to go in front of the toilet and the sink. Use a shower chair so your senior can sit while showering and prevent slips and falls.
Although the standard walk-in shower typically costs between $1,000 to $3,000, you have additional options. For instance, if you have an older home with smaller bathrooms, it may cost less to buy a small prefab walk-in shower for around $400 to $700.
A rollin shower is a shower with a floor leveled with the rest of the bathroom, very convenient for wheel chairs. A walk in shower is a normal shower that you walk to enter it .
The average walk-in shower in the U.S. measures 60" x 30", though size options can vary widely, typically up to 60" x 42" for a rectangular shower and 42" x 42" for a square one. For smaller bathrooms, most experts recommend a shower enclosure no smaller than 36" x 36".
The difference between a wet room and a walk in shower is that in a true wet room, the space is completely open plan (although a wet room shower screen can be used), and the water flows away through a drain in the floor, whereas a walk in shower typically features one or two glass screens and a low level shower tray.
Custom walk-in showers are built from the ground up, requiring more labor. They're also typically made of more durable, high-end materials. You can choose the exact size, shape, and configuration that fits your bathroom.
Doorless showers simply don't retain heat as well as those with doors, and they can even feel cold at times. However, you can install a heated shower floor to help counteract this undesirable effect and keep the space cozy and warm while you're rinsing off.
If you have a shower with a door, leave the door open to air out the inside of the shower. Doing these simple things each day after you bathe is the easiest way to prevent mold and mildew growth.
How Big Should a Doorless Shower Be? A doorless shower layout requires a larger footprint than a standard tub or shower stall. Building codes may specify that a standard shower stall must be a minimum of 36 inches by 36 inches while the average doorless shower is about seven feet by four feet with many much larger.
The United States' older adult population can thus, be divided into three life-stage subgroups: the young-old (approximately 65 to 74 years old), the middle-old (ages 75 to 84 years old), and the old-old (over age 85).
Typically, the elderly has been defined as the chronological age of 65 or older. People from 65 to 74 years old are usually considered early elderly, while those over 75 years old are referred to as late elderly.