Well-designed bathrooms can help older people remain independent in their own homes for longer.
“Ageing in place” is about good design so people can remain in their homes as long as possible. A good bathroom renovation done with the future in mind is a sound investment. It can enable people to remain living in their own homes, stay independent and get more out of life as they grow less young.
As plumbers, there is a lot we can do to make bathrooms a more comfortable, more pleasant, safer space for seniors. And the good news is that future-proofing your bathroom doesn’t have to mean making it unattractive.
Gone are the days when bathroom renovations for seniors equalled ugly
At FlowFix Plumbing, we do bathroom renovations for seniors that are functional and look great.
We use our plumbing expertise and our experience to create bathrooms for older folk that
- … are both functional and look good
- … don’t have bathroom fittings or plumbing that look out of place
- … use accessories that are widely available on the market.
- … put the comfort and safety of our seniors first.
Plumbing renovations for greater safety and comfort
Putting thought and planning into making our bathrooms easy and safe to use as we age is a smart bet. Flow Fix Plumbing can help with all kinds of bathroom renovations. We can help make your bathroom liveable for people of any age and ability. Just ask us for a consultation.
Well-designed bathrooms can help older people remain independent in their own homes for longer.
We are Orewa plumbers who are well known for our approachability and the quality of our work. We have built up a valuable reputation working across Rodney and the Hibiscus Coast, and it’s a reputation we’re very proud of. From start to finish, we can take care of any bathroom renovations.
One team does it all
We can project manage and organise everything, including our team of well-regarded tradespeople: builders, tilers and electricians. And we only use quality plumbing products that won’t cost an arm or a leg.
Being involved from the start, we can make the renovation process smoother, more efficient and cost-effective, ensure all designs and specifications meet New Zealand building codes and bring together specialist tradies for a seamless, start-to-finish bathroom renovation that’s older-folk-friendly. When it comes to renovating bathrooms for older people, we’ll take care of everything, and we’ll do it with a smile.
Call to see about getting our team of north Auckland plumbers to do up your bathroom for today and into the future.
Considerations for an elder-friendly bathroom
Bigger can be better
If possible, make sure the bathroom is big enough. Some seniors end up relying on mobility aids like canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. These devices require a lot more space to get around. Ideally, you need enough room for someone in a wheelchair to completely turn around so they can get to the toilet, lift themselves onto it, and then off again.
To see if there’s enough room in your bathroom, try linking arms with someone, then approach the toilet and turn around together. If you bump into the walls or vanity in most bathrooms, this will give you an idea of how much room someone with a walker or wheelchair comfortably needs.
Thinking toilets in bathroom renovations
Possibly the simplest thing to consider when looking at bathroom renovations for seniors is the height of the toilet. Standing and sitting can be a huge chore for some seniors, and raising the height of the toilet will make life easier for those with stiff, painful joints.
There are two ways you can do this. Normal toilet pan heights are between 420 and 460 millimetres, but a height of 500 to 550 millimetres works best for seniors. It may not sound like a lot, but 40mm of additional height on a standard toilet pan can make a big difference to those with reduced mobility.
Alternatively, you can raise the height of the toilet by adding a raised seat.
A wall-hung toilet pan can be set to your preferred height using an adjustable wall bracket hidden inside the wall. This gives a higher pan and a bonus designer-style appearance to your bathroom. It also makes cleaning under and around the toilet easier.
Toilets should also have enough room for grab rails on each side of the toilet. They allow someone to use their arm strength to help them get on and off the toilet.
Install a Bidet
A bidet can help seniors maintain good hygiene. Some toilets come with bidets or we can retrofit them into existing toilets.
Call For a Quote:
027 265 4949
Looking at shower designs
Older showers and baths can take away the independence and convenience that older people need in their bathrooms. Bathtub-shower combinations can be a real issue. Climbing over the edge of the bath is nerve-racking and dangerous for older folks.
Walk-in showers with curbs also pose an impossible barrier if you’re using a walker or wheelchair to get around.
The solution: a wet room where the entire floor is covered with non-slip tiles, not just the area under the shower. If the shower is walled off or has a frameless shower screen panel with safety glass, make sure the opening is extra wide so that someone can get in with their walker.
Wall-mounted shampoo and soap dispensers placed within easy reach eliminate the need for bar soaps or shampoo bottles which can be dropped or cause tripping hazards.
In the shower area, a seat makes things so much easier. It will lessen the danger of slipping in the shower.
Don’t forget grab-bars: always a good way to prevent slips.
Shower heads when renovating
Not all shower heads are created equal. The angle of the shower head makes a big difference. Some of them are designed to rain water down while others shoot water out at more of an angle. We recommend using slide showers so you can adjust the shower head to various heights or as a hand-held shower, so you can move it around and wash more easily.
Another consideration is your future energy budget. Mixers that save on water are a simple and cost-effective way of minimising your power bill.
Sensor taps are smart
Pressing a button to run your shower with a pre-set temperature can also make life much easier for seniors.
Keep everything in easy reach
As we age, stooping or reaching gets harder, making anything on a high shelf or in the cabinets under the sink more difficult to lay hands on. So, avoid low storage. Keep toiletries and cleaning supplies accessible at mid-level height.
Choose a vanity that doesn’t have doors below the benchtop. Any cabinetry below 900 millimetres high should either have open shelves or drawers,
If you do have cupboards, ensure that the handles are big enough and easy to grab hold of for someone who may have arthritis or limited use of their fingers.
Go for lever mixers
Lever mixer taps are a better choice than twist taps because you can turn on and adjust the hot and cold water with one hand. And there are lots of styles available to suit different bathrooms. However, chunkier styles are easier to hold and tend not to have any sharp corners that can scratch or cut seniors’ delicate skin.
We recommend Felton for tapware. If installed by a plumber, they have a lifetime warranty. In addition, their after-sales service is impeccable.
Improve the lighting
Eyesight is one of the many things that gets worse as we age. Having more lights, brighter lights, and eliminating dark spaces in showers are all ways to make life easier. Good lighting helps prevent falls. It also makes essential grooming tasks like flossing, shaving, and styling hair much easier.
Baths for senior-friendly bathrooms
Many elderly people enjoy a relaxing bath to help ease aches and pains. But, step-in baths can be difficult for older people. The balance needed to step over the edge of the bath can make them difficult and dangerous in later years.
Walk-in bathtubs might be the answer. A door on the side allows easy access. However, you have to get into the bath before filling it and wait until all the water drains away before you can leave. They have a smaller footprint but are taller, making them a great option for small bathrooms.
Again, ensure there are grab bars around the tub to prevent falls.
Bathroom renovations to age in place
If you need a plumber to carry out any bathroom renovations for seniors, call 027 265 4949. We cover Warkworth, Orewa, Whangaparaoa, Millwater and the North Shore.
We are Orewa plumbers well known for our approachability and the quality of our work. We have built up a valuable reputation working with residential clients, and it’s a reputation we’re very proud of. When it comes to bathrooms for older people, we’ll take care of all your plumbing needs and we’ll do it with a smile.