Bathroom Remodeling for Aging Eyes

I often blog about remodeling to make the bathroom safer for a senior who is not as mobile as they once were, but today I’m turning to another challenge that affects all seniors—aging eyes. 

What happens to aging eyes?

First, the pupil gets smaller. What does a smaller pupil mean to elderly people?

If you put a 20-year old and an 80-year-old in the same sun-splashed room in the middle of the day, the youngster’s eye will receive six times the amount of light.  It’s almost as if the senior is wearing sunglasses indoors.

It gets worse.  Now imagine the 20 year-old and 80-year-old person are up in the middle of the night navigating their way to the bathroom with little or no light. The young adult’s eyes are now receiving sixteen times as much light as the senior’s eyes.  No wonder seniors lose their confidence about driving at night, and getting around the home can be equally tricky.

9 Less Common Bathroom Modifications for Seniors

There are many changes you can make to a bathroom to make it more accessible for seniors, but today I’m going off the beaten track to talk about cool modifications you just don’t hear about every day.

1. Slide through Sliding Doors

If a senior has mobility issues and is using a power chair or wheelchair, access through doors can be tricky.  The wider the door opening, the easier it is.  One way to achieve more space is to install a sliding, or pocket, door. 

2. Jack Up the Connections
Most people don’t have a telephone in their bathroom.  And if a senior has a cell phone, they often don’t carry it with them wherever they go.  But what if Aunt Ethel slips and falls?  Without help she could be in trouble.  Install a telephone jack and make sure she’s connected.

The Universal Appeal of a Bathroom for All Ages

What’s an ideal bathroom for a senior or someone who’s not as mobile as they once were?  It’s one that you can enjoy before you “need” it.  You won’t have to remodel in your sunset years if you prepare ahead of time.  Bonus: you can enjoy your investment right now.
 
Many boomers in their 50s and 60s are thinking ahead. When they remodel, they make sure their bathroom includes features they’ll appreciate over the long haul.  After all, they want to live out their lives in the familiar place called home.
 
What does this ideal bathroom for all time include?