Aging in place Bathroom Renovation in Katy and Houston, TX- How to Go About It

Posted by AKRemodelingTurnkey on June 14th, 2022

Wine tastes better when they age. Old age is much like fine wine. It is something that one relishes. It is not a stop but a new beginning. As more senior adults accept this, a bigger number of them are looking forward to staying in their own house independently. They want to enjoy every bit of their house that they have missed out on while living a busy work life. After they retire, it is time to relish what they have built. Though it might seem to be exciting, there are many senior homeowners for whom it becomes challenging. Age also brings its share of problems, making it difficult for senior homeowners to use specific areas of their house. The bathroom surfaces as one of the problematic areas. Aging in place remodeling in Houston and Sugar Land, TX, can fix the problem. Experienced remodeling contractors know the changes one needs to introduce to the bathroom as part of aging-in-place remodeling. There are many changes that can completely transform the existing bathroom and make it safe and perfect for senior adults to use every day.

The place to start with an aging-in-place bathroom remodeling is to change the location of the bathroom itself. If the primary bathroom requires one to take the stairs frequently, then senior homeowners can consider adding a new bathroom downstairs or enlarging a partial bathroom.

The next thing should be to change the entrance of the bathroom. Usually, a bathroom door is 32 inches wide. It is recommended to be enlarged to 36 inches so that it is easier for seniors to move around with their assistive devices (if any) like wheelchairs or walkers. The doors need to open outwards so that access is never blocked.

The layout of the bathroom has to be considered as well. When remodeling the bathroom according to aging-in-place standards, the bathroom needs maximum movement space. There should be at least 4 to 5 feet of space in front of the toilet for turning a wheelchair if any senior adult is using it.  

The next thing to be changed is the floor of the bathroom. A good number of senior adults are reported to have fatal falls in the bathroom. If not life-threatening, many of them experience serious injuries that they must endure for the rest of their lives. So, the slippery floors have to be removed with non-slip tiles that would aid in foot stability. A good grip will ensure fewer falls.

Install proper lights: Poor vision is a common problem for senior adults. That is why the bathrooms need to be illuminated adequately. The windows should be expanded to let more natural light pour into the bathroom. Or else, for artificial lights, one needs to use lights that don’t cause a lot of glare and is easy on the eyes.

The combination of bathtub and shower needs to be done away with when undertaking aging-in-place bathroom renovation in Katy and Houston, TX. Instead, it is better to go for walk-in tubs with bench seating and handrails. The toilets, too, have to maintain the right height for ease of use for those with limited mobility.

The closets, cabinetry, and sinks should also be installed at a height that can be easily accessed sitting in a wheelchair if anyone is bound to it. Wall mounting vanities and sinks make the task easy.

Aging in place remodeling for the bathroom has to be done thoughtfully. For this, one needs to get in touch with a contractor with expertise in this area.