Best Types of Shower Units for the Elderly

Taking a simple shower for the average, mobile person may be simple and routine, but for some elderly people who have no choice but to use a standard shower unit, this may be difficult, unsafe, or even impossible. For the elderly who are unable to use a conventional shower, they will often need to have a special shower unit built, or shower features installed in an existing shower unit. If you are the caretaker of a family member who is elderly and immobile, you may wish to evaluate which of the available special showers and features are available to you. You will want to consider which are the most appropriate shower units, which are most most safe units, and which shower features are best for your elderly family member to use. Here are a few ideas to consider for your special shower stall.

Shower ramps

For those who need to enter their showers in wheelchairs, a shower ramp will make it possible for caretakers to move the elderly person into his shower without help and without danger of the elderly person falling.

Handles (grab bars)

In a conventional shower, grab bars can be installed  at a place on a wall where the bar is convenient for the elderly person to hold onto for balance and for security.

Adjustable Height Shower Heads

A shower head that is adjustable for height will allow an elderly person to shower while sitting or standing.

Hand Held Shower Heads

For the person who is immobile or unable to stand in a shower where he can receive water from the shower head, install a flexible shower head. Your immobile family member will be able to shower while sitting, still able to move the shower head as needed to receive his shower water.

Shower Seats

For the person who is able to enter shower, unassisted, but finds it difficult to remain standing, a shower unit with an adjustable seat will allow him to shower without fear of slipping or falling.

Floor Coverings

To ensure that your elderly family member is less likely to slip and fall in his shower, due to a slippery floor surfaces such as those you may find with a tile floor. install a floor surface of fiberglass on which you can include a grit. This will usually offset the slippery condition of a wet floor.

Show Entry Doors

Give your elderly person easier access to his shower by installing a double entry door, rather than a single door whose typical width is 24 inches wide.  With this wider entry (usually 32 inches to 36 inches) he will be able to maneuver a wheel chair or walker through the door and into his shower.

Light Switches

Anyone confined to a wheelchair, or one who must use both hands to grip a walker, will often find it difficult to reach a light switch that can give him good lighting in his shower stall. Especially in a bathroom that is more dim, it will be advisable to provide plenty of light for your elderly family member. Adequate light will usually be necessary to produce a safer environment for him.