Are Tubs or Showers Safer for Older Adults?
Deciding whether to install a shower or a tub in the bathroom can be a challenging task. On one hand, a shower offers convenience and efficiency, perfect for those with a fast-paced lifestyle. It allows for a quick and invigorating cleanse, saving both time and water.
On the other hand, a tub symbolizes relaxation and luxury, providing a sanctuary for soaking away the stresses of the day. It offers a tranquil retreat and the opportunity to unwind with a long, soothing bath.
Deciding between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the household. It can be hard to predict which will help you stay safe and independent in your bathroom for a long time. There's no denying the appeal of each option, making it a decision that requires careful consideration and balancing individual desires with practicality.
Today, we're going to be talking about:
tub and shower safety issues
tips to make them safer
the ideal solution that helps people of all ages and abilities
Keep reading below or watch the video to help you in your decision making!
What are freestanding tubs and tub showers?
Freestanding Tub from Canva.
Let's take a look at freestanding tubs and tub showers. Freestanding tubs and tub showers are both popular fixtures found in bathrooms, but they have distinct characteristics. A freestanding tub, as the name suggests, is a standalone bathtub that is not attached to any walls or surrounding structures.
It is often placed in the center of the room, becoming a striking centerpiece that exudes luxury and elegance. Freestanding tubs are known for their aesthetic appeal, with a wide variety of styles, shapes, and materials available to suit different tastes.
Tub shower from Canva.
On the other hand, a tub shower is a combination unit that features a bathtub with an attached showerhead and enclosure. It provides the convenience of having both a bathtub and a shower within one unit, making it a popular choice for those who desire versatility and functionality.
Tub showers are generally installed against a wall and offer a space-saving solution for smaller bathrooms. Whether one prefers the grandeur of a freestanding tub or the practicality of a tub shower, both options contribute to creating a relaxing and invigorating bathing experience.
Freestanding tub and tub shower safety issues for older adults
Freestanding tubs and tub showers undoubtedly exude elegance and style, but they too come with their fair share of safety concerns.
First and foremost, their lack of built-in handrails or grab bars poses a threat, especially to individuals with limited mobility or balance issues. In order to use a freestanding tub or tub shower safely, you'll need to be able to lift your legs up and over the tub ledge, and the average tub height is 14 to 16 inches high.
Without proper support, the risk of slips and falls increases significantly, potentially leading to severe injuries. Additionally, the absence of non-slip flooring within these tubs can further escalate safety concerns, as it becomes easier to lose traction and stability during bathing.
Thus, it is crucial for manufacturers and homeowners alike to address these issues by incorporating safety features like grab bars and slip-resistant surfaces, ensuring that the luxurious experience of soaking in a freestanding tub or showering in a tub shower doesn't compromise on safety. Typically, freestanding tubs tend to be a little bit deeper so they don't work well with things like tub transfer benches or other certain types of grab bars.
Furthermore as people become older, they may find it difficult to scoot their bodies across a tub transfer bench, which makes it unsafe for them to use the tub. In general, it’s hard for older adults to maneuver in small bathrooms with mobility devices like walkers and wheelchairs.
How to make tubs safer for older adults
My grandmother, sister, and me.
I’ve helped many people make their tubs safer, but my favorite anecdote comes from personal experience. My grandmother loved to take baths every single night because they made her feel relaxed and ready for bed.
While my grandmother was still able to get in and out of the tub shower, she always felt scared, like she was going to fall. The water made the tub shower slippery and there wasn't anything for her to hang on to in order to feel secure when getting in and out of the tub shower.
In fact, one of her worst fears was to fall down in the tub shower totally naked, and then depend on firefighters to come in and rescue her in her vulnerable state.
This fear of falling was a huge obstacle in her taking nightly baths, and I wanted to do something about it so she could continue to take good care of herself. So we made some changes to make Granny’s tub shower safer. We installed the following:
tub transfer bench
grab bars
handheld shower head
All of these changes made my grandmother feel so much safer. She felt confident in her ability to do her nightly bath routine.
If I could go back in time, I absolutely would not have installed a freestanding tub or a tub shower in my grandmother's bathroom and expect her to feel safe while showering without adding bathroom safety equipment.
Many people encounter similar difficulties as my grandmother and resolve the problem by installing safety equipment. But what if there was another option that didn’t require so much intervention in a tiny bathroom?
Step in shower safety issues for older adults
Step in shower with small threshold from Canva.
Next, let's talk about step in showers. A step-in shower, also known as a walk-in shower, is a bathroom feature with a threshold that you have to step over. The average height of a shower threshold is 3-4” although I have seen some that are higher. Usually it's a track that has a sliding door attached.
Most people can easily use step in showers. Unfortunately, the problem with step in showers is that if someone ever has a hard time standing on one foot and lifting the other then they're not going to be able to safely get in and out of the shower.
Stepping over a threshold into a shower can be unsafe for people with common leg problems from injuries or medical conditions like weakness or swelling. This results in developing a fear of falling and resorting to sponge baths at the sink.
And we all know that sponge baths do not make anyone feel fully cleaned!
how to make the step in shower safer for older adults
For people who have the ability to step over the shower threshold, I recommend you install:
a shower chair or stool
grab bars
handheld shower head
These recommendations aren’t too different from above. The only difference is to use a shower chair or stool because most step in showers have enough room for those items.
The Wright Stuff tub shower transfer bench with curtain in a tub shower. This can be done with a step in shower.
If someone is unable to step over the shower threshold, there’s an option to remove glass doors and place a tub transfer bench inside. To keep water from flooding the bathroom floor, install a tension shower curtain rod and shower curtain. After scooting inside the shower on the bench, tuck the shower curtain into the slot on the bench.
It’s certainly safe to say that if someone were to use a walker or a cane, they could use that device to walk to and from the step in shower. However, wheelchair users would find it nearly impossible to use a step in shower unless they made a lot of adjustments to their bathroom.
Step in showers work well for people who have no mobility issues, but overall, they are not safe for older adults to use for a lifetime.
The safest bathroom option for older adults
Barrier free shower by Ponte Giulio
Barrier free showers are the most accessible shower. It’s designed with a curbless entry, making it easy for individuals of all ages and abilities to enter and exit the shower safely.
With its seamless floor level transition, a step-in shower offers convenience and comfort, allowing for a more open and spacious bathroom environment.
This type of shower is often equipped with non-slip flooring and grab bars to further enhance safety and stability. Whether for aging individuals, those with mobility challenges, or simply for a contemporary aesthetic, a step-in shower provides an inclusive and user-friendly bathing solution.
If you're doing a bathroom remodel, my recommendation is to prioritize installing a barrier free shower. You can certainly get the most bang for your buck out of this one because it helps people of all ages and abilities. You’ll be able to shower no matter what injury or illness comes your way.
Did we answer your question on what’s a safer bathroom option for older adults?
If you would like more guidance with this decision. I recommend you hire an occupational therapist from Jukebox Health or AskSamie. Occupational therapists help you tailor your bathroom set up for your unique needs.
So what's it going to be? What kind of tub or shower are you going to install in your bathroom remodel? What have you already done to make your bathroom safer? Tell us in the comments down below.
(Pssssttttt . . . did you know we have an awesome online course for people who have a hard time wiping after using the toilet? It’s an awkward topic that you can learn how to solve in the comfort and privacy of your own home! Learn more about the course HERE!)
