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Handicap bathroom needs for a senior citizen

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Handicap bathroom needs for a senior citizen - rule #1: Keep them safe

I'm a pro at handicap bathroom needs for a senior citizen as 1) I have a senior citizen living with me and 2) I have a multitude of bathrooms. I've been my 94 year old Mom's caregiver for 5 years now so I've faced, succumbed to, and, upon occasion, triumphed over her various changing needs in respect to a handicap bathroom.

In this Squidoo lens, I will try to give you an honest assessment of items which work and some that don't. There are honestly some items on the market that I just think create more hazards in a handicap bathroom than the original equipment. Read on for my take on these such items.

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. ~Mark Twain

Handicap bathroom needs for a senior citizen

Bathtub or shower - that is the question.

Many years ago, my Mom felt unsafe getting into and out of the bathtub, even with handrails installed and help from me lifting and settling her in the warm weather. So, for us, we decided that she'd be showering instead of bathing. Another reason we chose this option for our handicap bathroom is that my house was built in 1857 (Mom kids that she's the original owner). My bathrooms are exactly 5 x 6' long - a rarity in size and never seen in new homes these days.

If I had room though, I wouldn't have hesitated to have a walk-in shower insert added to the handicap bathroom. This one below is one of the nicest I've seen and I drool over it every time I run across it at Home Depot - note: buying larger items like this off Amazon.com is much cheaper than getting them at brick-and-mortar stores. This item ships for free and you'll save taxes to boot!

Click the image below for pricing and specification.


Walk-in Shower Set Safety Bar:
White, Size:
60" x 42" x 82"

~Safety Bar: White,
~Size: 60" x 42" x 82"
~Features includes 24'' and 48'' safety bars, 22'' x 16'' padded seat with legs, Symmons shower valve with hand held shower system, 2'' Caulkless brass drain with chrome screen, 59.5' curtain rod / brackets and rings, 66'' x 74'' 20ga vinyl shower curtain, 5' Grey T shaped Water Stopper Kit (SM).
~Available in Stainless Steel or White safety bar.
-Available in several sizes.
-Full plywood backing on all walls for outstanding strength.
-Easy, snap-in-place installation from the front. -Limited 30 Year Warranty.
-Made in the USA.

Other walk-in bathing enclosures on Amazon.com

If the bathroom in my house wasn't just 3'x6', I would have certainly put one of these walk in bath enclosures for my Mom. It would have made life so much easier!

Click any item to see the pricing and specifications.
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Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children.
~George Bernard Shaw

Walk in soaker tubs

This would have been my dream for my Mother so she could still enjoy a bath but, alas, these are about the size of my whole bathroom! But, if you can swing the price and have room for a walk in soaker tub, you'd make a senior citizen's life so much nicer.
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Handicap bathroom needs for a senior citizen

Toilet seat risers with handles

I had knee surgery 6 years ago and was in a cast for 6 weeks. I still, to this day, cannot figure out why no one told me that toilet seat risers were available. I had never heard of a toilet seat riser but, now that I have them, I love them.

Toilet seat risers sit on top of the actual toilet and replace the toilet seat itself. A handicap toilet seat riser might raise the toilet seat from 4-12", depending on the model so it's much easier to sit down and get up. And, these toilet seat risers with handles give added assurance for those of us balance-challenged folks.


Drive Medical Deluxe Elevated Raised Toilet Seat with Removable Padded Arms, White


Drive Medical Premium Seat Riser with Removable Arms for Standard Toilets, White
I like that the arms are removable


Drive Medical Raised Toilet Seat Elongated with Removable Arms
This toilet seat riser also has removable arms


Medline Toilet Safety Rails
This is perfect if your senior citizen just needs to be steadied while getting on and off the toilet.


Carex Raised Toilet Seat
Economy pricing makes this toilet seat riser a decent choice for limited incomes.

Bathtub transfer bench

I just bought this bathtub transfer bench for my Mom as she can no longer step into or out of the tub. I love that she can sit on it and just scoot over. Works like a charm.
Bathtub transfer Bench/Bath Chair With Back, Wide Seat, Adjustable Seat Height, Sure Gripped Legs, Lightweight, Durable, Rust-Resistant Shower Bench

Bathtub transfer Bench/Bath Chair With Back, Wide Seat, Adjustable Seat Height, Sure Gripped Legs, Lightweight, Durable, Rust-Resistant Shower Bench

Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Handicap bathroom needs for a senior citizen

My absolute favorite toilet seat riser!

I know it sounds strange that I get excited about a toilet seat riser but it's the little things that count around here.
Drive Medical Premium Seat Riser with Removable Arms for Standard Toilets, White

Drive Medical Premium Seat Riser with Removable Arms for Standard Toilets, White

Amazon Price: $30.97 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

With my very old bathrooms, space is at a premium so I have shelves above the toilet to hold my toiletries and blow drier.

Most toilet seat risers don't allow the use of a toilet lid. I can't tell you how many blow dryers I've been through when they fall in the open toilet. No more! I love, love, love this toilet seat riser as it allows the use of a toilet lid.

It's also an excellent buy on Amazon.com

Handicapped bathroom needs for a senior citizen

Bathtub mats

If you do have a bathtub and have no plans to replace it with a shower, there are additional items you should have to ensure your safety. Bathtubs are notoriously slippery so there MUST be a non-skid bathmat in the bathtub. The below are larger so they'll cover more of the bathtub and further protect you against falls.
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Sh*t happens...

One of the negatives of toilet seat risers is that sh*t happens and it happens to make a mess every once in a while. I use disposable Clorox sheets to clean the toilet seat riser daily but the Scrubbing Bubbles disposable toilet cleaners for cleaning the bottom of the riser. I really like the disposable part and the handle releases the cleaner without you having to touch it. Very nice invention
Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush Flushable, Citrus, 12-Count Refills (Pack of 12)

Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush Flushable, Citrus, 12-Count Refills (Pack of 12)

Amazon Price: $47.64 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

"We don't buy green bananas." ~
My Mom
(but I think she stole it somewhere)

Bathroom safety bars

I would never ever purchase a bathroom safety bar that was attached with suction cups and don't think they should even be on the market. I don't care how much I'm assured that they're safe, I much prefer to have a permanent installation of a bathroom safety bar. Bathroom safety is just too important to mess with suction cups.

The below bathroom safety handles are all ones that must be permanently attached. When purchasing one, make sure that your senior's hand is able to grasp the diameter - I have thinner bars as Mom has carpel tunnel in both hands and can't grasp large objects. These bars also come in different lengths so make sure you have room if you're purchasing a longer one.

I even have these bathroom safety bars attached to the wall of my hallway where my Mom transfers from her walker to her step climbing chair.
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Which of the below lens about senior citizens is your favorite?

Please vote on your favorite lens and make sure to add yours to the list if you have a good lens about aging, living with senior citizens, or simply have a better way to do things as we age. I'd love to hear from you.

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Good bathroom reading about...

...accident rates among the elderly in the bathroom

I found a few interesting articles while researching for this handicap bathroom article. The best are deserving of a click and a read below.
BestBath.com
Interesting read on fall and statistics of falls in bathrooms among Queenslanders.
AP Buffalo.edu
This is a good article about bathing and obstacles of such in the elderly.
CDC.gov website
This page shows a safety equipped bathroom.
CDC.gov website
This excellent article details falls among senior citizens - their cause and how to prevent them.

I hope you got some useful ideas about handicap bathroom needs for a senior citizen from this lens

I really like when I feel like my lenses are helpful and I feel that way now. Please leave me comments or ideas on how to strengthen this lens. And, give you favorite senior citizen a special hug - tell him or her "Lori said hi."

  • bbathrooms Mar 5, 2012 @ 9:14 am | delete
    Great lens, and thanks for putting the time into researching this topic as it's vital information. I hear too many stories about senior citizens having accidents in the bathroom because the correct equipment isn't installed. I always say saftey comes over cost every time, but as we can see here cost surely shouldn't be too much of an issue as it's not like this equipment is overly expensive.
  • Tipi Jan 26, 2012 @ 9:25 am | delete
    I'm wondering if there is such a thing as an adapted toilet paper roller for the elderly or handicapped...sometimes that can be a tough reach so the roll is left on the back of the toilet to fall in or on the counter. Nicely done and good to have all these aids in one place.
  • Mosoma Sep 24, 2011 @ 12:33 pm | delete
    Great and informative lens.
  • ruben77 Sep 24, 2011 @ 7:36 am | delete
    great lens. this a huge problem for our older community. they would be able to prevent alot of fallining risk if they were educated on this subject. excellent work.
  • Ladymermaid Sep 23, 2011 @ 7:22 pm | delete
    I keep hoping one day to get a walk in tub -I would love to feel the water around me again. Excellent article on handicap aides for the bathroom. You do have one little squid blooper under the heading "Bathroom safety bars" - you have attacked instead of attached (gosh knows though that those darn nasty safety bars can attack if provoked ... lol) Best of wishes as always.
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by

gottaloveit

I used to spend most of my days caring for my adorable 95 year old Mom, Gertie; she died peacefully in my arms Feb 15, 2012.

During down times (which... more »

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