![]() ![]() ![]() She emphasizes that seniors do not want to feel like a burden. “Independence gives seniors a sense of purpose,” reminds Yen Le, an occupational therapist at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, Illinois. Therefore, whenever possible, include your aging family member in the bathroom modification planning. “It is essential to have a family member who is able to help,” says Melissa Prestipino, a doctor of physical therapy and owner of Maize & Blue Rehab in Sparta, New Jersey.īut of course, just because a loved one has physical limitations does not necessarily mean they have cognitive limitations. Prepare to work as a teamīecause of balance problems, some seniors might not be able to change ceiling lightbulbs or add non-slip stickers to the shower floor. But for wheelchair users, accessibility requires a barrier-free entrance and a roll-in shower.Īlso, keep in mind: If your loved one has a degenerative disease such as Parkinson’s, osteoarthritis or ALS, today’s accessible bathroom setup might no longer work in few months, making a bathroom remodel for seniors eventually inevitable. If someone occasionally uses a cane for balance, installing grab bars might suffice. What to know before you start making changes to an aging loved one’s bathroom Understand the varying levels of “accessibility”īecause no two seniors’ mobility is the same, accessibility will differ from person to person. So what can you do when a loved one’s age or declining health raises their risk of bathroom injuries? Below, Gold and several health experts offer tips and tricks to create a safer, more accessible bathroom. The combination of brittle bones, poor balance and wet, brittle floor tile can be literally deadly.” “Older adults are most at risk of a slip and fall, and most often, seriously harmed by these accidents. “Bathrooms are particularly challenging from a safety and comfort perspective,” says Jamie Gold, a certified aging in place specialist and wellness design consultant in San Diego. But problems with balance and mobility quickly turn this haven into a hazard. From grooming rituals like shaving to self-care activities like soaking in a bubble bath, bathroom activities can represent precious alone time. For some, the bathroom represents a calming, utterly private escape.
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