Reviewed by Steve Michael
Bathing and going to the loo can become increasingly challenging and undignified as we age. This not only makes using the bathroom more unpleasant and daunting; it also raises the risk of serious falls.
Bathrooms are one of the most common places for elder people to fall in the home, and falls can be disastrous in old age. They are the number one reason older people are admitted to A&E. What’s more, the fear of falling or struggling to get out of the bath can lead older adults to bathe less often than they’d like to.
Rather than waiting until the first bad fall, there are a number of simple additions and upgrades you can make to create a safer, more accessible bathroom without resorting to full-scale renovations or installing a walk-in bath for the elderly.
These don’t have to compromise on style or make the bathroom feel clinical either. Fortunately, there are many more stylish and discreet options for making a bathroom more age-friendly nowadays. Ideally, you want to put several of these measures in place for maximum assurance against accidents and falls.
Here are five ways to make a bathroom more age-friendly and fall-proof.
Well-placed grabrails
Gone are the days when grab rails had to be big, unsightly, white plastic fixtures.
Today, modern designs are available that are far more subtle and can blend seamlessly with your existing bathroom decor. Some options even double as towel rails or shelves, adding style and functionality without being too obvious.
Placement is key – grab rails should be installed near the toilet, bath, and shower where they’ll be most helpful, and it’s best to get advice from an Occupational Therapist and an experienced fitter to properly install these.
Tip: If you or your elder loved one has a medical condition that qualifies them for VAT relief, you can save money on grab rails and other adaptive equipment designed for people with disabilities.
Here are some companies where you can find stylish bathroom grab rails we like:
Invisible Creations
Invisible Creations is a company founded on the principle that people shouldn’t have to compromise their own personal style when adapting their homes for life changes. Their range of dual-purpose grab rails is subtle, modern, and affordable, featuring sleek designs in polished chrome, steel, and matte anthracite finishes – no white or blue plastic here!
We love:
- Shower Riser Grab Rail – Polished Steel – £96.60
- Elegance Corner Shelf Grab Rail – £76.20
- Toilet Roll Grab Rail – Polished Steel – £59.40
Living House
Living House offers a premium selection of sleek metal grab rails, in a wide variety of colours and finishes. While their range can be on the pricier side, they have some great options – in particular for corner and L-shaped grab rails – that look super chic and stylish.
We love:
- Modern Angled Grab Bar – from £480
- Modern Gold Corner Grab Rail – from £480
Victoria Plumbing
Victoria Plumbing is a major online bathroom retailer that has a good selection of assisted living accessories for bathrooms, including a variety of stylish grab rails.
We love:
- Croydex Carina Stainless Steel Angled Grab Bar with Soap Basket – Chrome – £59.95
- Arezzo Matt Black Straight Grab Rail – £69.95
Non-slip bath mats
Wet bathroom floors are a major slipping hazard, especially for older adults with limited mobility or balance issues. Well-chosen non-slip or slip-resistant mats can help reduce the risk of falls both in and out of the bath or shower.
Here are some we like:
- Dunelm Ultimate Luxuriously Deep Bath Mat – £15
- John Lewis Non-Slip Cotton Bath Mat, Linen – £20
- John Lewis Clear In-Bath Mat – £15.00
- Croydex Small Bubbles PVC Bath Mat – £11.95
Bath benches and shower seats
Bath benches and shower seats can provide a safe, comfortable solution for bathing for those who have trouble staying balanced or struggle to get up out of the bath. Shower seats are also good for anyone prone to dizzy spells who might need to sit down from time to time while showering.
Here are some we like:
- Invisible Creations Wooden Slatted Shower Seat – £249.60
- Nova Folding Wall Mounted Shower Seat – £159.95
- Argo Adjustable Bath Seat Board – £50.00 (OK, it’s plastic but we love the bright coloured handle!)
Improved lighting
Older adults often make more frequent and ‘rushed’ bathroom trips due to issues like incontinence, which makes clear visibility essential, especially during the night. For this reason, as well as inside the bathroom, you should also consider lighting along the route to the bathroom from the bedroom.
Consider adding motion-sensor night lights or upgrading to brighter, more efficient lighting in the bathroom. You might also want to consider LED lighting strips or illuminated shaving mirrors to make personal grooming easier too.
Here are some lighting products we love:
- Croydex Illuminated Magnifying Cosmetic Mirror – £34.95
- IKEA Wireless motion sensor, smart/white – £7
- Plug Through Night Light by Lifemax – £11.99
Bidet spray for better hygeine
A bidet spray, although not as common in UK bathrooms, can be a game changer for elder individuals. These handheld devices, used commonly in parts of Asia, attach to the toilet and provide gentle, effective cleaning. For those with mobility issues or conditions that make it difficult to clean thoroughly after using the toilet, a bidet spray offers a practical, dignified solution. Installation is simple, requiring only a quick visit from a plumber.
We love:
- Cruze Round Douche Shower Spray Kit with Shut-Off Valve Chrome – £29.95
- Arezzo Round Douche Shower Spray Kit with Shut-Off Valve Matt Black – £99.95
In summary
Fall-proofing a bathroom and making it more accessible for your elder parent or relative doesn’t have to scream ‘old’ or involve drastic changes like installing a walk-in bath (which aren’t always the best option anyway!).
The key is to make these updates before a fall occurs. If you or your elder parent or relative is experiencing changes in balance, strength, or mobility, this is the time to start making these adjustments to ensure that the bathroom is a safer place to be. Don’t wait for an accident to happen!
If you have the budget and do want to fully re-design and renovate a bathroom to be safer and more accessible for ageing, take a look here for some beautiful accessible bathroom design inspiration.
Common questions
- Will the local authority install grab rails for free?
In many cases, yes. Installation of grab rails is classified by local authorities as ‘minor works’. If the total cost of the ‘minor works’ falls below a set threshold, the local authority will install grab rails and other minor adjustments free of charge. Different local authorities have different thresholds for what qualifies as minor works, ranging from around £500 to £1,200.
To get started, you would need to contact your parent or elder relative’s local authority and request a risk assessment. This service is available even if the property is owned by your parent. An occupational therapist (OT) or trusted assessor will then visit the home, evaluate your parent’s specific needs, and make recommendations to improve safety. These recommendations could include the installation of grab rails.
However, it’s important to note that the grab rail options will be limited to the local authority’s approved range of equipment, which typically includes only standard rails and/or stair rails. Additionally, there may be a wait time of 3 to 6 months for the initial assessment.
- Can you get a grant to upgrade a bathroom for elder person?
In England and Wales, if the elder person has a risk assessment from the local authority and the total cost of the recommended home adaptations doesn’t exceed £1000, they can get these for free. However, if the assessment recommends more major adaptations such as having a wet room installed or replacing the bath with a shower cubicle, you may be able to get a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to help with the cost, if the person is eligible.
To apply for a grant, you would need a report from an occupational therapist and the approval process can take 6 to 9 months. If your parent has a progressive illness like Parkinson’s or Motor Neurone Disease, considering reaching out to relevant charities for guidance on obtaining grants for major adaptations.
- Who can help adapt bathroom when parent coming out of hospital?
If your parent is being discharged from hospital, the hospital discharge team should work with your parent’s local authority to have an occupational therapist (OT) or qualified assessor take a look at their home to make sure they can manage, bathe and use their home safely. If the OT or assessor thinks your parent needs them, the local authority can provide equipment, like shower stools/chairs, walking aids and a raised toilet seat, and organise for minor adaptations, like installing grab rails, for free. You can find more details in this Age UK guide.
If your parent lives in Wales, you can contact the organisation Care & Repair for advice and an assessment for adaptations.
