Are you planning on staying in your home well into your “golden years?”

Do you have kids that have grown up and moved out?

Are you trying to help your parents stay independent in their own home as long as possible?

Are you considering having your elderly parents move in with you?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, read on. In the world of bathroom remodeling, comfort and safety don’t have to mean an institutional look and design compromises.

In fact, there are a few simple bathroom fixes that can not only offer you long-term peace of mind but can actually add value to your home.

One Week Bath’s Founder and CEO, remodeling expert Matt Plaskoff, has created his “Safe Living” Bathroom checklist to get you started:

  • Grab bars for toilets, tubs and showers – This simple and obvious addition to key areas in the bathroom can help avoid a potential nasty fall. There are several available from a myriad of manufacturers that have a designer look as opposed to a hospital feel.
  • Lever handles – Arthritis can make it difficult to grip faucet and shower handles. Levers are infinitely more simple to turn and adjust and come in the same variety of finishes as regular fixtures.
  • Non-skid tile – Many tile manufacturers create beautiful tiles that are designed for the floor and contain moderately rough surfaces. These provide a safe, non-skid surface to stand on when coming out of a wet shower.
  • ADA toilets – Many toilets are designed to make it more comfortable getting up and down. They look just like other toilets except they are typically 2-4 inches higher which can make all the difference in the world as flexibility decreases.
  • Walk in tubs – These specialty tubs allow easy and safe access into a gorgeous spa tub situation when baths and therapy are necessary. When this isn’t an option, shower and tub safety seats and transfer benches can add comfort and peace of mind.
  • Low shower curb – By simply modifying a standard shower curb to a lower level, access can be significantly improved.
  • Nonskid surface for tub/shower floor – Aftermarket non-skid appliqués can add an additional level of safety to a slick tub or shower floor, while freshening up an old look. Smaller tiles and more grout on the shower floor can also reduce risk of slippage.
  • Hand-held adjustable showerheads – Handheld showers in conjunction with benches and seats allow you to minimize standing and can make showering much more comfortable.
  • Single control thermostatic shower and tub valves – These insure that any chance of scalding is eliminated.
  • Full bathroom remodel – By doing a partial or full demo of an existing bathroom, you have the opportunity to start from scratch eliminating elements that simply do not function as needed in the new living situation. Not only will this give you a brand new look, it may give you or a family member back enough independence for a brand new life.

Finally, it’s always wise to conduct a home safety check to prevent problems that could lead to future injuries and/or impact future independence. Look at it your home with fresh eyes, as if you’ve never lived there before. Do this with a friend or loved one who may see something that you could miss. Consider the above checklist and write down potential improvements. Most importantly, don’t wait to make the changes – and remember, designer doesn’t have to mean dangerous!

Your peace of mind is our priority. For more information on keeping your bathroom safe and beautiful, feel free to contact us at 1-800-OneWeek.

Happy Remodeling!

Matt Plaskoff
CEO and Founder
One Week Bath