Accessible Bathroom - the Senior-Friendly Bathroom

To be accessible, a bathroom must provide as much space as possible

Basic requirements for a senior-friendly bathroom

First of all, every bathroom suitable for seniors should provide sufficient space. Age-related stiffness makes many movements awkward, meaning that arms and legs sometimes need to swing out farther. Walking aids or wheelchairs require plenty of space for maneuvering and turning. A senior-friendly, accessible bathroom should therefore be large enough to allow a wheelchair to enter and turn around.

Safety is the next major consideration. Falls are among the most common household accidents in old age. The risk is greater in the bathroom because wet spots can occur on the tiles at any time. Getting in and out of the bathtub or using the toilet also requires a certain amount of strength and coordination without aids.

Anti-slip aids ensure safe walking and standing in the bathroom. Non-slip mats can be placed in showers and bathtubs. Bathroom rugs should also have non-slip backing so they do not become flying carpets when wet. Seating such as shower chairs or shower stools makes personal care more comfortable and is likewise secured against slipping.

However, people with balance problems can also become unsteady on firm surfaces. Grab bars on the walls that are always within reach provide secure support. Grab bars and support rails are also useful beside toilets, washbasins and anywhere else where support is needed.

In a senior-friendly bathroom, the risk of falls must be eliminated as far as possible.

It is also important to remove all obstacles to create a tidy bathroom in which everything is stored safely. For people with visual impairments, it is also very important that everything has a designated place and that nothing is left lying around that they could accidentally knock over.

It should be clear that glasses and other fragile decorative objects have no place in a senior-friendly bathroom. To minimize the risk of injury, furniture, sinks, and fittings with rounded edges rather than corners are recommended. Bumping into a rounded surface also hurts less.

How can using the toilet be made easier?

Using the toilet with limited physical abilities can be made considerably easier by using various aids.

A raised toilet seat is simply placed on the regular toilet, allowing the user to sit at a higher position. This enables seniors to sit down on the toilet from almost a standing height without having to bend down deeply. These raised seats also have the advantage that they can be easily removed and replaced when someone else wants to use the toilet.

Using the toilet should generally not take an excessive amount of time, as sitting can impede blood flow in the legs due to pressure from the toilet seat. While this is not a problem for young, healthy people, it can certainly be one for older people with venous disorders. That is why raised toilet seats are usually made of soft, yielding materials.

Raised toilet seats are available with or without a lid, or as raised toilet seats with armrests.

A padded toilet seat offers a simple alternative if no raised seat is needed. These toilet seats made of soft plastic provide comfortable seating and fit all standard toilets.

What if a solution for using the toilet is needed outside the bathroom as well? Both in care facilities and in households with several people requiring care, it often happens that the bathroom is occupied. In addition, conditions such as incontinence may make it necessary to have a toilet close at hand.

Toilet chairs are the ideal solution and should be provided accordingly. Users can sit on a toilet chair just as they would on a regular chair. However, the seat has an opening into which a toilet bucket is secured. Toilet buckets can be changed quickly after use, while the chair surface can be easily disinfected - the toilet chair is ready for use again in no time.

A wheeled commode chair goes - or rather, rolls - one step further, as it can move freely on casters. And, if necessary, even while it is being used.

The simple alternative to a wheeled commode chair - especially interesting for hospitals and nursing homes - is a wheeled support frame for a commode bucket.

Commode buckets are usually available separately, complete with a handle and lid, and can also be used on their own as a bedpan in an emergency. The lid keeps unpleasant odors in if you cannot empty it right away.

Incidentally, any standard toilet can be converted with a simple bidet basin for sitz baths or cleaning the intimate area. These plastic basins are attached to the toilet bowl as an insert and can be sterilized in an autoclave.

How can a shower be made safer and more comfortable for seniors?

In a standard shower, you shower standing up. However, standing on a wet surface can be risky for older people with balance problems or reduced strength. A fall onto the hard floor could cause serious injuries, such as the feared hip fracture. Ideally, the shower tray is set into the floor so that the shower floor is level with the bathroom floor. This means there is no threshold to step over when entering.

Some simple aids can already significantly improve safety - especially in showers that have not been made accessible.

Safety shower mats are made of non-slip materials such as soft rubber or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). On many models, raised dots or grooves on the surface improve stability. Suction cups on the underside allow these mats to be securely attached in showers and bathtubs. Unlike the permanently adhered anti-slip mats often used in the past, modern safety shower mats can be removed at any time. This also makes them easier to clean from all sides. Some TPE mats can even be washed in the washing machine.

Grab bars are available in many designs for showers and bathtubs, or for wall mounting elsewhere in the bathroom. It is important to choose high-quality materials such as stainless steel or impact-resistant plastic. The surface should offer a secure grip - for example, through raised dots or finger grooves.

Shower stools can be placed directly in the shower as stable seats. Non-slip rubber feet keep the stools securely in place, even when the shower water is running. Height-adjustable models can be adapted to the users' height. Most shower stools can be adjusted in height several times. If you want to make a small or narrow shower enclosure safer and more comfortable, placing a shower stool inside it is a good option.

In care settings, shower stools with an integrated rotating platform are particularly useful. The caregiver can remain outside the shower and rotate the patient on the stool with minimal effort. This makes care much easier, especially for larger or somewhat heavier people.

In addition to simple stools, shower chairs with armrests and backrests are also available, for example. Naturally, these chairs are more comfortable, but they usually require more space than a simple stool. Shower folding seats, on the other hand, are extremely space-saving and can be permanently mounted on the wall. When needed, they simply fold out like a folding seat in a cinema. Of course, a shower folding seat can also be installed in other rooms of the house as a space-saving seat.

Shower wheelchairs are water-resistant care wheelchairs with soft wheels that can be pushed into walk-in showers together with the patient. Combination solutions consisting of commode chairs and shower wheelchairs, such as Behrend's mobile shower and toilet wheelchair, are suitable for patients requiring particularly intensive care.

Do not rely solely on individual bathroom aids presented here. Combine mats, grab bars, and possible modifications to achieve maximum safety and accessibility.

How can bathing become relaxing and enjoyable again despite a disability?

Bathing should be a relaxing, enjoyable experience that does not cause any strain. Naturally, it becomes difficult when getting into the tub itself becomes a risk of injury due to a lack of physical strength or stiff joints.

Various entry aids and grab bars for bathtubs and showers make getting into the tub easier and safer. Entry aids are often tubular structures that are attached to the edge of the bathtub. Adjustment screws and rubber coverings keep the support frame securely in place.

To reduce the step-in height of the bathtub, bathtub steps or step boards can be attached to the outside. Bathtub steps are non-slip pads that can often be adjusted to the preferred height.

Swiveling lifts are the ideal solution for wheelchair users, as they allow them to be safely lifted out of the seat and lowered into the tub. However, these are elaborate and not exactly inexpensive constructions. In any case, a safe seated position in the bathtub must be ensured. A bathtub lift or inflatable bath cushion can be used to raise the bather's sitting height. This prevents people in need of care from slipping under the water.

Since these aids work similarly to seat lifts, they are also suitable for helping someone get out of the tub. For example, a patient on an inflatable bath cushion can be raised further by inflating the cushion more.

The simpler solution for sitting safely in the bathtub is a bathtub seat. Adjustable in width, such a seat can be hung on tubs of any size.

For greater comfort and easier access for caregivers, swivel bathtub seats can also be used.

When bathing, weakened individuals risk slipping and going under the water. A bathtub shortener helps provide support. This aid is held firmly in place with suction cups. The sturdy board can also be adjusted in position, allowing the feet to rest comfortably against it. It is therefore also suitable for shorter people or children.

To prevent seniors or people in need of care from hitting the back of their heads while bathing, safety head cushions can be attached to the head end of the tub. These head or neck cushions are made of soft materials such as TPE plastic and are held in place by suction cups. While bathing, the head can rest comfortably against them.

Various modifications can make using the bathtub easier - more on this a little further down.

Remodeling a bathroom to make it accessible - what options are available?

Bath and shower aids make it easier to use the bathroom and its sanitary facilities. However, especially in cases of severe physical limitations, it is advisable to have the entire bathroom remodeled to meet the needs of seniors or people with disabilities. In non-accessible bathrooms, wheelchair users therefore face challenges that able-bodied people do not have to think about.

Example: Wheelchair user in the bathroom

The obstacles for wheelchair users begin as soon as they need to reach the sanitary facilities. Fortunately, many residential buildings now have spacious elevators, and public buildings are equipped with wheelchair ramps. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are also available in government offices, schools and offices, as well as at train stations, airports, etc. The actual problems arise when using bathrooms that are not designed to be accessible.

There is often not enough space to maneuver the wheelchair comfortably through the door or park it next to the toilet. The sink is too high to wash one's hands properly from a seated position.

Wheelchair users of all ages need toilets adapted to their needs

There must also be no cabinets beneath the sink so that there is enough space to bring the wheelchair close enough. Otherwise, wheelchair users would have to lean far forward or try to pull themselves up to reach the sink.

Looking at yourself in the mirror above the sink is only possible from a wheelchair if the mirror can be tilted. The controls must also be installed low enough. The shower can only be used with access aids and must have special seating for wheelchair users. Ideally, wheelchair-accessible showers can be entered with shower wheelchairs.

Toilet paper, towels, and care products such as soap and lotions should be within reach while seated. However, shelves, cabinets, and storage surfaces are usually mounted far too high as well.

Many of the problems described here can already become obstacles when visiting friends. Of course, the availability of wheelchair-accessible bathrooms also limits wheelchair users' choice of workplace.

All these problems in the bathroom can be avoided if the room is converted accordingly. At the very least, the bathroom at home should be designed to be accessible. Wheelchair users can generally receive subsidies from long-term care insurance funds to cover the costs.

Of course, bathrooms can also be designed so that they can be used equally by people with and without physical limitations.

Many plumbing and heating contractors offer conversion solutions and have the necessary experience with accessible bathrooms. Some companies even specialize in bathroom renovations. Simply contact businesses in your area for information. Find out in good time whether you need to obtain a permit for converting your premises.

Converting the bathtub into a shower cubicle

If the bathtub is removed completely, the freed-up space can be used for a shower cubicle with level access. Take the opportunity provided by such an accessible bathroom conversion to have the shower adapted for assisted care as well.

This shower offers plenty of space for wheelchair users

This allows the shower floor to be fitted with a non-slip coating. Seating options such as folding seats or a footrest to assist with washing can be installed directly. A hand towel holder within easy reach by the shower is also important - you should not have to walk through the room with wet feet to get a towel.

Fully glazed shower enclosures with shower doors also make work easier for caregivers. This allows them to help with personal hygiene from outside the shower without getting wet. The transparent enclosure is made of plastics or safety glass.

For accessibility, minimum dimensions must be observed for the shower area. For example, for a shower to be usable with a wheelchair, it must have a clear area of at least 1.5 by 1.5 meters in accordance with the DIN standard.

The floor of freely accessible showers is slightly lowered, by the way, to prevent water from running into the rest of the bathroom. Naturally, old showers with raised shower trays can also be converted to be suitable for seniors and barrier-free.

Install doors and entry systems for bathtubs

If the bathtub is to remain, it can be modified to be suitable for seniors by installing doors or entry systems. Installing a door in an already installed bathtub can be done quickly and without difficulty. The lower the door's entry height, the more comfortable it will be to get in later. Bathtub doors are sealed to be completely watertight. There is just one minor disadvantage: the bathwater can only be run after entering and closing the door.

Bathtub doors are an excellent compromise for making the tub equally usable by people with and without mobility limitations.

A bathtub entry without a door can also certainly be chosen. This option is considerably less expensive and makes it easier to enter the tub. However, it can then only be used for showering and no longer for bathing.

Sit-in bathtub

A sit-in bathtub has a permanently integrated seat or at least a recessed seat. This allows bathers to sit down safely and comfortably and means they do not have to perform personal hygiene while standing.

Toilet conversion

Most toilets are relatively low - usually not even half a meter high. Why not have a wall-mounted toilet installed at a higher position? This way, as you get older, you can sit down from a comfortable standing position and only have a very short distance to cover when standing up. However, bear in mind that a wall-mounted toilet cannot later be moved to a new height without having to tear down the entire wall.

The previously described raised toilet seats naturally offer an inexpensive alternative and can also be adjusted flexibly later on. In addition, grab bars can be anchored to the wall beside the toilet.

A bidet toilet with a water jet is extremely practical and hygienic because it automatically cleans the anus with a water jet. These specialized toilets usually also have blow-dryer nozzles that dry the bottom afterward. This eliminates the need for strenuous wiping with toilet paper.

A bidet toilet must of course also be cleaned thoroughly. Although the water spray and nozzles are concealed beneath protective covers, dirt can accumulate around their edges.

Adapt the sink to individual needs

The sink must be secured particularly well. Above all, users should be prevented from supporting themselves directly on the sink. For this purpose, it is advisable to install support handles on both sides of the sink.

Lever handles are better than old-fashioned twist knobs, which can sometimes be very difficult to turn. If the lever allows you to control the water temperature and flow rate with one hand, the other hand remains free to support yourself on a grab bar. For wheelchair users, sinks must be installed lower. The space beneath the sink must remain clear.

Solving space problems

Very small bathrooms can present a challenge. However, even when only a few square meters are available, remodeling solutions can be found. You should reduce the size of anything that can be reduced and remove all furniture and objects that are not truly needed from the room.

If the building structure permits, you can also use the sledgehammer approach to create openings in walls or combine rooms. Specialized construction companies and plumbing installers can certainly be found for this thorough renovation of the bathroom area as well. Here too, remember to obtain any necessary official permits.

Timely planning of an age-friendly bathroom

It is best to plan the age-friendly renovation well in advance. Even if retirement is still several years away, you should think ahead when renovating or remodeling a bathroom once you reach a certain age. It is advisable to design your home bathroom so that it can easily be adapted for older users if needed.

After all, it is almost impossible to predict when the first age-related health problems will arise and what form they will take.

Accessible bathrooms can be cozy and beautiful too

Apply for funding for the bathroom renovation

People who receive a care level due to a disability or age-related health problems may be able to have a significant portion of the bathroom renovation costs reimbursed by their long-term care insurance fund.

Since an extensive bathroom renovation can be very expensive, we recommend checking whether you are eligible for funding.