14 Bathroom Updates for Now and Later as You Age in Place

Vincent “Vinny” Catalano, 62, of Sacramento, California, installed a curbless shower with a handheld sprayer and built-in bench in the bathroom “with the presence of mind for aging in place,” he says. “There’s no door on the shower; you just walk right in.” ​​​

If you want to go all out and like the open concept, consider a wet room. The entire waterproof bathroom is barrier-free, with a curbless shower and freestanding tub sharing a drain, Danielson says. It will set you back an average of $9,000, according to home care site Angi.​​​

If you can’t get rid of the tub because you love taking a bath, consider a walk-in bathtub. “We’re seeing bathtubs making a comeback [because] they provide hydrotherapy,” Danielson says. They fit in a standard space, so a lot of remodeling isn’t needed, and manufacturers have made improvements so they’re more attractive, drain faster and come with a handheld shower option, she says. It can cost as little as $2,000 for a standard model or more than $20,000 for a luxury one. ​​​

Let’s potty talk​

A wall-hung bidet toilet is hygienic and can be set at varying heights.

Photo courtesy of Duravit, Product Designer Phoenix Design, Wellness by Design, Simon & Schuster

​Bidet toilets have skyrocketed in popularity since the coronavirus pandemic because you don’t need toilet paper. They’re also more hygienic and help older adults remain independent. They can come with heated seats, air deodorizers or a night-light. Prices range from about $40 for a bidet attachment for a toilet to several hundred dollars or more for a bidet toilet with a heated seat, warm water and an air deodorizer.​​​

If you’re not ready for a bidet, consider a comfort height toilet that’s 2-3 inches higher than a traditional one. They may cost slightly more than a traditional toilet, but they’re better for older adults who have difficulty standing from a seated position or anyone with back or knee pain. ​​​

Look down​

Gold recommends new slip-resistant floor tiles that are rated higher for use on bathroom and shower floors. Last year, the tile industry revised its slip resistance rating system, called the coefficient of friction (COF), for hard flooring surfaces such as ceramic tile and stone to help reduce slips and falls. Look for tiles designed for use in wet bathrooms with a COF rating of at least 0.42. ​

​Smarten up​

​A bunch of bathroom features can be controlled electronically to make life easier. Here are some smart technology features home experts like:​

​Motorized window coverings that can be controlled by your voice or an app are good for hard-to-reach windows above a tub or in a slick shower.

Touch- or motion-activated faucets are helpful for people with arthritis or Parkinson’s disease.​

​Bathroom exhaust fans with humidity or motion sensing can automatically turn on and off. Some feature a night-light. They help keep a bathroom clean and safe by removing steam and preventing moisture and mold buildup.​

​Shine a light​

​Danielson, a certified lighting consultant, recommends layers of lighting in the bathroom — a lighted mirror with overhead lighting. Make sure the light is sufficient to see water on the floor, but install dimmers to adjust for daytime and night, she says. ​

​Better yet, circadian lighting — an automated system synced to your body’s internal clock based on the amount, intensity and color of light — can help people who have difficulty sleeping, Gold says. Some circadian light systems are app-driven or tied to smart-home technology.​

​Catalano installed a sun tube above the shower that brings in enough natural light that no artificial light is needed during the day. He says he chose a sun tube over a skylight because the fixture needed to tunnel down from the roof through the attic to the single-story house.​

​“Think about the overall design of the bathroom,” Danielson stresses. “Make sure you have a fluid space. Make choices today that can stay with you for the long haul.” ​