6 Tips for a Welcoming, Safer Bathroom for Grandparents
More than one in four seniors falls each year, and many of these accidents happen in the bathroom. If you’re welcoming grandparents into your home, even small hazards like slick floors or high tub walls can become a real concern.
With a few thoughtful bathroom upgrades, you can help your loved ones feel confident and appreciated. Making your bathroom more welcoming and safer is a simple way to protect their well-being and ensure you continue making lifelong memories together.
Why Bathroom Safety Matters
Spending quality time with a visiting senior is truly meaningful. Whether you’re sharing a festive meal or enjoying the sight of your kids playing with their grandparents, a safe, comfortable environment helps protect those special moments.
Removing area rugs and clutter throughout the house is a good starting point. Spending extra time ensuring your bathroom is safe is also crucial. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury for seniors, accounting for 88% of emergency room visits for hip fractures in older adults, and at least 80% of falls at home occur in the bathroom, according to UCLA Health.
The number of accessibility features you add to your bathroom depends on the length of time your favorite seniors spend in your home. A weekend stay only requires a handful of DIY improvements. For a longer visit or if they’re moving in, investing in more comprehensive, professionally-installed upgrades can make a meaningful difference in their comfort and safety.
1. Start with Safety Basics
To ensure your bathroom is in tip-top shape for your guests, start with easy, basic enhancements.
Non-Slip Surfaces
Eliminate tripping and slipping hazards by removing plush bath mats. Replace them with non-slip options. Adding a slip-resistant mat to the shower floor is another easy fix.
Keep It Dry and Clutter-Free
Any bathroom that sees regular use is bound to get cluttered. Wet towels, shampoo bottles and make-up can start to pile up. Before your senior rolls into town, do a bathroom deep dive. Add containers and baskets to keep small items organized and counters clear. A tub or shower with recessed shelving makes it simple to keep the space clutter-free.
Safe Step Walk-In Tubs and Showers feature several space-saving shelving options to ensure essentials are tidy. Our full-height corner caddy transforms unused corners into smart, spacious storage.
Improve Lighting for Day and Night
Research suggests that seniors are particularly prone to falls during the early morning hours. Adding nightlights and better bathroom lighting can help a visiting senior reach the bathroom safely during those dark, early hours.
2. Make the Space Warm and Inviting
Reduced circulation, thinner skin and chronic conditions often make seniors feel chilly. Creating a warm and inviting bathroom can make them feel more comfortable. Consider adding a fluffy robe, a towel warmer, a space heater and bathroom linens in calming colors to make the space cozy and welcoming.
3. Add Comfort and Support Features
Once the basics are covered, you can continue to enhance the bathroom with support features.
Grab Bars
At least one-third of people in their 70s, and nearly all seniors in their 80s, suffer from limited mobility, according to BMC Geriatrics. Whether the issues are caused by medication, aches and pains or muscle weakness, you can make their daily routine safer by adding conveniently placed grab bars near the toilet and tub. Grab bars are easy to install and will keep your loved one protected in a wet and slippery environment, providing extra peace of mind and assurance.
Safe Step’s Walk-In Tub features strategically positioned grab bars engineered for comfort. You can customize your walk-in shower with grab bars at installation, or add them later as mobility needs change.
Shower Seating
Seniors often benefit from using a chair when showering. It helps limit falls by providing stability and helps them feel more in control by giving them a place to rest. You can choose a built-in foldable seat or add a Deco Teak Shower Bench with a Safe Step Walk-In Shower.
4. Make Accessibility a Priority
Take your revamp a step further by considering larger modifications to increase accessibility. Seniors who rely on mobility aids may struggle to navigate a cramped bathroom. Adding a low-threshold shower or tub or widening doors can greatly reduce strain and improve safety.
5. Go the Extra Mile with Thoughtful Details
Installing a comfort-height toilet is another impactful change, as the added height reduces pressure on the joints and improves balance. These toilets sit up to 5 inches higher than standard models, making them comparable in height to a regular chair.
6. Upgrade to a Walk-In Tub or Shower
For seniors and those with limited mobility, using a standard tub-shower combo can be challenging. Taking the next step in safety makes all the difference. Safe Step’s safe bathing solutions include:
- Ultra-low step-in for easy entry and exit without lifting your legs over high barriers
- Grab bars to maintain stability while bathing and maneuvering
- Slip-resistant floor to increase traction
- Handheld shower wand to easily target hard-to-reach areas
Our best-selling Hybrid Tub and Walk-In Showers offer convenient showering that the entire household can enjoy. The Safe Step Walk-In Tub is a luxurious addition. It has safety features for confident bathing and therapeutic options to create a spa-like atmosphere that seniors enjoy.
Create a True Safe Haven with Safe Step Walk-In Tub
If you’re updating your bathroom for grandparents or a multi-generational household, a Safe Step design consultant can evaluate your current space and recommend the right upgrades. We provide free in-home consultations, and our professional installers handle upgrades in as little as one day.
Ready to get started? Connect with a design consultant today to take advantage of our best offers ever on bathroom safety.
