•Create a bathroom with features that go the distance.
•Learn about bathroom design that is suitable for all ages.
A growing number of healthy, active couples nearing retirement are making smart plans for their future—and they have the blueprints to prove it.
Savvy seniors and aging baby boomers are remodeling the baths in their current homes with the goal of "aging in place" well into their advanced years.
"Active older adults are beginning to decide to stay in their homes for the long term," says Susan Duncan, RN, principal of ADAptations, Inc., in Seattle. "They're looking ahead, and planting the seeds, to figure out how to stay at home."
The last thing health-conscious baby boomers want, however, are bathrooms that suggest old age or anything remotely institutional. Fortunately for them, it's possible to add features that can help them stay comfortable in the future but that don't detract from—and in many cases enhance—their bathroom's beauty and elegance.
According to a recent survey by the American Association of Retired Persons, 74 percent of adults over the age of 50 want to remain in their homes for the rest of their lives. Here are some ideas that can help ensure they do so in style.
Adaptability
Designers from across the country agree that bath products must be able to adapt to changing health care needs, yet be suitable for people of all ages.
A spacious, curbless shower with a handshower may be a luxury item for an active senior today, but can become a necessity for an older adult using a mobility device or needing assistance, says Louis Tenenbaum, a consultant on aging in place in Potomac, MD. One such product that bridges the gap between luxury and practicality is the WaterHaven® shower tower. Its multiple shower heads delight users of all ages—and can adjust low enough for a person in a wheelchair to use.
Or, consider adjustable or removable cabinets. A vanity cabinet with a removable base or pocket doors can easily allow for a wheelchair. The same holds true for cabinets and counters that are wall-mounted on shelf brackets. They can be adjusted for height or removed to add space for mobility, says Cynthia Leibrock of Easy Access in Livermore, CO.
Another option is the wall-mounted sink, which Kohler offers in a variety of beautiful styles and colors. The current trend toward an open, airy space beneath the sink is a bonus for aging seniors, since the space accommodates a wheelchair or other mobility device.
Invisible integration
Other features that aid in mobility can be seamlessly integrated into the bathroom. Open space under and around the vanity area can be elegantly accentuated with glass countertops, floating drawers and under-sink lighting. Or an imposing blank wall near the toilet that aids with balance can be visually softened by incorporating a recessed sink.
Hidden, structural changes made during renovation can give consumers the option of adding features later, when they're needed.
For instance, adding plywood reinforcements in bathroom walls gives consumers an option to install grab bars for fold-out arms anywhere in the room at any time.
Universal appeal
Meanwhile, products designed to be easy to use for everyone can be of special benefit to seniors, particularly those who have problems with their joints or balance.
Peterson points to KOHLER Comfort Height™ toilets as a prime example. She says that seniors often opt for toilets with this chair-height feature, which helps avoid excessive bending and is generally comfortable for most average-height adults.
"Over and over again, older people have this 'aha!' experience with Comfort Height™ toilets," notes Peterson. "They say, 'Oh, much better. Much easier!'"
Faucets are another important consideration. Older adults may find a smooth, round faucet knob difficult to use, Peterson says. Kohler has a large selection of faucets, including the Purist® bathroom sink faucet with its low gooseneck spout and low-lever handles, that are easy to maneuver. What's more, they're beautiful--an essential requirement for aging baby boomers.
Age-appropriate materials
Colors and textures in the bath take on special importance for older adults facing visual and mobility impairment.
To aid with the diminished depth perception and general deterioration of eyesight that comes with age, use contrasting colors in all areas of the bath, including countertops, showers and commodes, Duncan says. Too many neutrals near the sink, for example, can camouflage smaller items like toothbrushes.
Non-slip surfaces also are a must. Designers agree that tile is the surface of choice for floors and showers because of its traction, easy maintenance and good looks.
Designing bathrooms with an eye toward the future is a trend that looks likely to grow, as homeowners plan for the needs of their elderly parents and younger people consider remodeling to increase their home's resale value.
"It's just an enormous market," says Leibrock, who adds that older Americans control two-thirds of the nation's financial wealth and that nearly 80 percent of them have some chronic limitation in their mobility.
"If your house can meet older people's needs without the stigma, you've vastly expanded your resale market," she says.
See designer Cynthia Leibrock discuss universal design. Watch video.
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Bathroom
Bathroom
