Shower Designs Are Best for Aging in Place
Many seniors want to continue living at home as they age, and making a bathroom more accessible is a great way to make this easier. In particular, good shower design is key to ensuring comfort, confidence, and safety. Hard, slippery surfaces, narrow passages, high thresholds, and lack of support can endanger people with mobility or balance issues. A well-designed shower can do away with these hazards while being a relaxing and appealing space for people of all ages.
Some of the most popular options for accessible showers are walk-in designs crafted in durable, low-maintenance, slip-resistant materials. These showers are easier to use than a tub, and they can be built with safety features that facilitate independence. Since they’re outfitted for standing or sitting, you can rely on a walker, wheelchair, or bench for support as needed. Also, many of today’s finish, fixture, and hardware options are luxurious, not institutional, so you can enjoy practicality, security, and elegance as you wash.
Aging in place is for people who want to make the most of their lives in a familiar environment without risking their health. Shower designs that prioritize safety, ergonomics, and aesthetics can help make staying at home worthwhile. Below, we’ll cover the elements that can make modern showers more accessible and enjoyable to use.
What Makes a Walk-In Shower a Good Choice for Aging in Place?
Walk-in showers have many advantages over conventional showers and shower/tub combinations, which can have high sides and curbs that can be hard for older adults to navigate. Flat, slip-resistant surfaces and customizable features like grab bars and benches are just some of the features that make it easier to make your way around the shower without risking a fall. Essential elements that enhance accessibility include:
Textured Surfaces
Textured surfaces can help reduce the chance of slipping when water is flowing. Materials like textured porcelain tile, Swanstone, Corian, and acrylic have high-grip surfaces that are good for shower floors and provide secure footing. Brushed textures and rubber details on walls, fixtures, and seating areas can also maximize traction while remaining easy-to-clean.
Grab Bars
Wall-mounted shower grab bars can help provide stability as you enter, leave, or move around the shower. It’s common to place them near the shower’s entrance, fixtures, and seating areas, or around the inner perimeter of the space. To create an upscale look, many people choose grab bars made from materials like solid brass, premium stainless steel, and die-cast zinc alloys with a brushed or satin finish. These durable accessories are available in a variety of colors and styles that will complement any decor.
Shower Seating
Many seniors find that showering is easier when they don’t have to stand up, and there are a variety of seating options that accommodate this need. Built-in and freestanding benches, wall-mounted fold-down seats, and shower chairs can all provide stability and comfort while washing. Benches help people with limited mobility shower without fatigue. If they are permanently mounted in place, they can make it easier to transition from a wheelchair or walker without falling. Wall-mounted, fold-down seats and portable shower chairs can save space and provide versatile, added support as needed.
Curbless Thresholds
While it’s common for a traditional shower to have a step-over curb that separates it from the rest of the bathroom, modern walk-in shower pans are made from non-slip materials that sit flush with the floor, making them safer and more accessible. The uniform transition allows a wheelchair to roll directly into the shower, and it also reduces the chance of tripping. For people with limited mobility, many experts suggest installing a shower space of at least 60” x 36”, the ADA minimum for a roll-in shower.
Other advantages of curbless thresholds include their ease of care, streamlined appeal, and versatility. Cleaning a walk-in shower tends to be easier because the space is more open, and you can use a mop to wipe things down. Replacing a tub with a walk-in shower eliminates the need to climb in and out of the bathing area and provides more room to move around.
Ergonomic Shower Heads and Fixtures
Whether a person is standing or seated, having a showerhead within reach can give them more control over the flow of water as they wash. Handheld shower wands on a flexible cable can allow people to direct water wherever they need to without sacrificing stability. Placing fixtures and knobs at waist height can also make a shower easier to use from any position.
Temperature-Sensitive Valves and Controls
For people with age-related limitations or unpredictable plumbing, scalding can be a real danger. Installing specialized control systems or valves that automatically adapt to pressure changes can help maintain a consistent water temperature.
Lighting
Though it can be easy to overlook lighting when you’re thinking about shower design, having the right illumination is key to creating a safe and pleasant space. Bright, yet diffused LED lighting will prevent glare and harsh shadows that can cause discomfort. Warm white and soft white light (2700K to 3000K) with a high color rendering index (CRI) can make it much easier to see and differentiate items like soap, shampoo bottles, and fixtures. Installing waterproof LED strips along thresholds and benches can make these transitional areas easier to recognize, and adding motion-activated lighting sensors can eliminate the need to think about lighting while moving into and out of the shower.
Storage
Another important consideration for aging-in-place showers is storage. A walk-in shower needs space for toiletries and bathing aids that’s easy to reach but also secure and uncluttered. Wide, built-in, recessed shower niches and shelves can help prevent falls by keeping bottles off the floor and eliminating the need to reach or bend. Shower caddies that attach to a bench or shower chair can also keep toiletries within arm’s reach. Mounting soap and shampoo dispensers at waist or shoulder height is another way to minimize the need for dedicated storage space altogether.
The Basics of Installing a Shower for Aging in Place
When you’re remodeling a bathroom for aging in place, installing a walk-in shower can seem like a major undertaking. The truth is, depending on the scope of your needs, some installations can be fairly straightforward. After evaluating your existing space, fixtures, drains, and water lines, your plumber will remove your old shower or tub and surrounding tile.
Next, they will install your new walk-in shower, complete with wall surrounds, shower base, fixtures, grab bars, seating, and any custom upgrades you’ve chosen. The installation can be very straightforward if the space is readily available for the walk-in shower or may require a bit more work if you are moving plumbing or dramatically changing the footprint of the bathroom. Next, they will make any necessary adjustments to the plumbing and subfloor that are needed to accommodate the new shower and ensure that water can drain properly. They may also extend a waterproofing barrier into the main bathroom and reinforce the walls before installing benches, grab bars, fixtures, and accessories.
To Future-Proof Your Shower, Count on Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
When you want to make the best of aging in place, a beautiful, functional shower can help you feel safe and at ease. At Lakeland Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, our experts will work with you to explore shower designs that enhance your mobility and independence. We are dedicated to meeting your needs and providing the best no-hassle service in the area. Remember if there’s any delay, it’s YOU we pay, so schedule your consultation today!
