A whole set of new concerns can descend on a family about the safety and comfort of their senior family members. It hits home for me. I have an 80 year old mother striving to live on her own. So my interior design work concentrates on senior safety and design for comfortable living. I have got lots of ideas for each area of the home. Today we will start in the bathroom.

Safety in the showers is a top priority. Wall mounted handles help seniors with entering and exiting the tub. But even better - get a tub cut. It is a permanent nicely finished cut on the side of the tub that creates an easy step-in for showering. What a great idea! Tub benches, safety bath mats and easy to grip shampoo bottles also promote safety. Tile floors in the bathroom can be slippery. When using bath mats and area rugs, be sure they have a rubberized, non-slip backing to them. Remember to periodically check them as with repeated washings they lose their backing and can become hazardous.

Many baths are inadequately lit for seniors eyes. Check for sufficient lighting over the sink and in the tub area. Eliminate shadows wherever possible by finding out the proper candlepower needed from the room’s lighting based on the square footage. Put a nightlight with sufficient brightness in the bathroom for safe nighttime navigating.

Move all linen closet and medicine cabinet contents down to a height easily reachable. Let us not have any dangerous climbing in slippery areas. While you are in the medicine cabinet, safely dispose of all expired medications to be sure they do not get used accidentally.

Add your ideas to the list, be proactive and put them in use!

Next month we will move to the bedroom to see if there is room for improvement.

Linda Hunt

Linda Hunt
Creatively Yours Custom Interior Decorator and Senior Downsizing Expert
804-746-0255
http://www.RichmondDecorator.com