As we age, everyday tasks like bathing, climbing stairs, or bending down can become more challenging. If you’re finding these daily activities difficult, it might be time to adapt your home to maintain independence and improve both your physical safety and mental wellbeing.
Planning For Home Adaptations
Adapting your home—particularly your bathroom—can be a daunting decision. You might feel overwhelmed by where to start or worried about the costs. A good approach is to assess each room you use frequently, such as the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and living room. Among these, the bathroom is a high-risk area for falls, which is why ensuring your bathroom is both safe and accessible should be a top priority.
Accidents in the bathroom account for a large number of falls, with many older adults facing hospital admissions due to slips and trips. By adapting your bathroom with accessible bathing options, you can avoid the risk of injury and the potential long-term costs of care.
How Can You Make Your Bathroom Safer?
If you have a traditional bath, you may find the high sides difficult to navigate, making getting in and out tricky. One solution is to replace your bath with a walk-in bath. Walk-in baths come with easy-access doors, allowing you to step in without the need for balancing on slippery edges. Available in various sizes and styles, they can be customised to suit your bathroom layout.
Walk-in baths also offer additional features such as powered seat lifts and spa jets to ease muscle pain and promote relaxation—perfect for those living with arthritis or chronic conditions.
Alternatively, you might consider removing your bath and installing a walk-in shower. A “bath out, shower in” conversion is often more cost-effective than a walk-in bath and can save time during daily routines. Walk-in showers feature low-level trays for easy access and can include slip-resistant surfaces and optional shower seating for added comfort and safety.
Other Safety Features To Consider:
- Install slip-resistant safety flooring.
- Add strategically placed grab bars to ensure stability.
These changes can reduce the risk of falls, allowing you to maintain your independence at home.
What Is The Cost Of A Bathroom Renovation?
If you’re working within a budget, small changes like adding grab bars or a freestanding shower seat can improve bathroom safety at a lower cost. However, a full bathroom renovation—ranging anywhere from £3,000 upwards—provides long-term benefits and can even increase your home’s value by 4-6%.
The cost of a bathroom renovation varies based on the size of the room, any plumbing or electrical work needed, and the type of fixtures and finishes you choose. Consulting with a professional company who specialise in accessible bathrooms is crucial to ensure you get the right layout and products to suit your lifestyle and any medical conditions as well as the best value for your investment.
What Happens If You Don’t Make Changes?
Without updating your bathroom to make it more accessible, you run the risk of declining personal hygiene and increased safety concerns. Statistics show that 30% of people aged over 65 in the UK experience at least one fall each year. Falls can lead to serious injuries, which may require costly care services in the long term.
In the UK, the cost of part-time care at home ranges from £15 to £35 per hour, while live-in care can cost between £900 and £1,700 per week. These expenses can quickly deplete savings or reduce your monthly income. Adapting your bathroom now could save you from these care costs in the future.
How We Can Help?
At AHM Installations, we specialise in creating safe, accessible bathrooms. Our team offers free quotations and design packs tailored to your needs and budget. We’ll guide you through the process, from a home survey to installation, we never pressure anyone to commit and we’re always on hand to answer any queries.
Whether you’re interested in a walk-in bath, walk-in shower, or making smaller changes to your bathroom, we can help you make the right choice for your home.
Feel free to call our friendly, experienced team on 0800 731 6495 to find out more.
