Most accidents that happen at home happen in the bathroom, so it’s a good place to make improvements. The goals are, first, to prevent slipping or bruising yourself as you try to maneuver in a small space, and second, to make your bathroom activities as easy and pain-free as possible.
The Floor
Tile, ceramic, and linoleum floors can be slippery, especially when wet. Either put down a throw rug with a good rubber backing or carpet the entire bathroom floor using water and stain resistant carpeting. If you’re in a wheelchair or think you might need one in the future, make sure the floor surface will allow the wheelchair to move easily.
The Bath, Shower, and Sink
Rubber mats with safety treads will prevent slipping in your tub or shower. If you have trouble standing, you can use a bath bench or chair. For a walk-in shower, there are fold-down seats that attach to the wall.
If you need to sit, you’ll want to move all your soap and shampoo holders down to where you can reach them. With a hand-held hose, you can direct the water where you want it.
You can buy thermostatic controls for your faucets to keep the water from getting too hot. Most people find L-shaped faucet handles in the shower and sink to be easier to manipulate. Your sink should have rounded edges in case you fall and hit it.
Use grab bars to help you get in and out in of your tub or shower. They’ll also keep you stable while using the shower. Be sure that the grab bars are securely attached to the wall framing, since they’ll be holding your entire weight.
The Toilet
A height extender toilet seat can help you get on and off the toilet. Some come with armrests to push down on when you raise yourself up. If the toilet is near a wall, you can attach a grab bar for this purpose.
Other Suggestions
If there’s room, it’s nice to have a chair to sit on while you brush your teeth or when you come out of the tub or shower. A dimmer switch will allow you to moderate the light when you use the bathroom at night without providing so much light that it totally wakes you up. You can also leave an old cell phone in a bottom drawer in case you need to call for help. Remember to keep it charged.
Additional Resource: Home Modifications Checklist