Design A Bathroom With Laundry For Seniors

Design plans with different zones.

Design plans for a combination bathroom and laundry room should create different zones in the room. Each zone should have its own lighting and colors, to make them easily identifiable. With the aging process, we may have limited eyesight and mobility. A senior will require more space than a younger person to move between the zones. Add open storage areas rather than closed areas.

Instructions

1. Hand-held shower head

Attach non-slip grips in the bathtub and shower. Add a shower chair and a hand-held shower faucet to the shower.

2. Vinyl flooring is easier to walk on than carpeting.

Remove area rugs and any clutter in the walking areas. A vinyl or ceramic tile floor is easier to clean than carpeting. In addition, if the person has trouble lifting his feet, he can slide his feet on a tile floor.

3. Grab bars around the toilet

Attach grab bars around the toilet, bathtub and shower. Grab bars should support 250 pounds. Towel racks and clothing hooks should also support the person's weight.

4. A front-loading dyrer makes loading and unloading easier.

Purchase a front-loading washer and dryer. Set them next to each other on pedestals, to raise the height. They should be easy to reach. Detergent and laundry aids should be within arm's length on a shelf in clear view.

5. Faucet with large handles

Install faucets with one large lever or large handles that are easy to turn.

6. Fluorescent light bulbs last longer then incandescent bulbs.

Add compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL); they last longer then incandescent bulbs. Each area in the bathroom should have its own lighting.

7. Insert pocket doors. Pocket doors add an average of 10 square feet of floor space in the room.

8. Flashlight for when the electricity goes out

Keep a flashlight handy in the room in case the lights go out. Check the batteries periodically.

9. Buy laundry baskets on wheels, similar to the baskets used at the laundromat.

10. Safety whistle in case of accident

Add a safety whistle and a water alarm under the sink to detect leaky pipes.

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