The bathroom is an essential room in the home, where you can wash and relax. But for the elderly, the bathroom can also be a source of danger, difficulty or discomfort. With age, mobility, balance and vision can deteriorate, making access to the shower more complicated and risky. So it’s important to adapt the shower to the needs and abilities of seniors, taking into account their safety, autonomy and well-being. But how do you adapt a shower for the elderly? What are the different types of shower for the elderly? How can a shower for the elderly be professionally installed? How can I obtain financial assistance for my project? This article explains how to create a shower suitable for the elderly.
Why design a bathroom for the elderly?
When you’re a senior citizen, there are many practical and psychological advantages to fitting out your bathroom. In fact, redesigning your bathroom makes it possible to :
- Prevent falls, which are the leading cause of domestic accidents among the elderly. The bathroom is a slippery, narrow and cluttered place, which encourages loss of balance and bumps. By adapting the shower, the risk of slipping, tripping or bumping is reduced.
- Facilitate access to the shower, which is often a difficult daily task for the elderly. Showering requires crossing a threshold, bending down, standing up or turning around, which can be difficult or impossible for seniors with joint, muscle or neurological problems. Adapting the shower removes obstacles and simplifies movements.
- Promote the autonomy and dignity of the elderly, who can wash themselves without needing help or assistance. Indeed, showering is an intimate and personal moment, which can be experienced as an intrusion or humiliation if you have to be helped by someone else. By adapting the shower, we enable seniors to retain their independence and privacy.
- It provides comfort and well-being for the elderly, allowing them to enjoy the benefits of water to the full. Showering is a pleasant, relaxing experience that can be used to relax, cool down or warm up. By adapting the shower, we can offer seniors a space adapted to their needs and desires.
The different types of shower for the elderly
There are different types of showers for the elderly, to suit different criteria: budget, available space, desired level of adaptation. Here are the main types of shower for the elderly:
Bathtub seats: the essential accessory for adapting your shower to the elderly
A bath seat for the elderly is an indispensable medical device that sits on the edge of the bathtub, allowing seniors to sit comfortably while they wash. They are practical, as they avoid the need to step over the edge of the bathtub, which can be difficult or dangerous for seniors with mobility or balance problems. They are also safe, as they reduce the risk of slipping or falling into the tub, which can lead to serious injury. There are different types of bath seats, to suit the size and shape of the bath, as well as the needs and preferences of the elderly. Some seats are fixed, others swivel, adjustable or elevating. Some seats are equipped with armrests, handles or backrests, for added support and comfort. You can find bath seats in specialist stores, on the Internet or from medical comfort professionals.
Shower cubicles: the ready-to-install or kit solution
Shower cubicles are complete, self-contained units comprising a shower tray, shower wall and taps. They are easy to install, requiring no major work or connection to the existing network. They are also easy to use, as they feature a thermostatic system for adjusting water temperature and flow. Shower cubicles are suitable for the elderly because :
- They feature an extra-flat or flush-fitting shower tray, making it easier to get into the shower without having to step over a ledge.
- They are equipped with a sliding or swinging door, making it easy to get in and out of the shower without having to push or pull.
- They are fitted with a handrail or handle, so you can stand up or stand down if you need to.
- They are equipped with a seat or stool, so you can rest or wash sitting down if you’re tired or have difficulty standing.
Free-standing showers: the economical solution
Free-standing showers can be adapted to existing bathroom layouts, without the need for major work. They replace the bathtub or shower with an extra-flat or flush-to-floor shower tray, and install a suitable enclosure and faucets. Free-standing showers are ideal for the elderly because :
- They eliminate the risk of falling over the edge of the bath or shower.
- They offer a wider, more comfortable space for washing, without being obstructed by the tub or shower walls.
- They allow you to keep the existing tiling and plumbing, reducing the cost and duration of the work.
Italian-style showers: the aesthetic solution
Italian-style showers blend seamlessly into the bathroom floor and wall, with no steps or thresholds. They require more extensive work than other types of showers, since a slope must be created for water drainage, a watertight covering must be laid and a drain or drain channel must be installed. Italian-style showers are ideal for the elderly because :
- They make it easier to get into the shower, without having to lift your foot or step over anything.
- They offer a larger, brighter space in which to wash, without being limited by the dimensions of the shower tray or wall.
- They bring a touch of modernity and elegance to the bathroom, creating a visual continuity between floor and wall.
Professional shower installation for the elderly
There are several advantages to having a shower for the elderly professionally installed. Calling in a professional allows you to :
- Benefit from personalized advice and a free estimate, based on your needs, desires and budget.
- Careful, guaranteed work, carried out to the highest standards of craftsmanship, safety and accessibility.
- After-sales service and assistance in the event of problems or breakdowns.
- A reduced VAT rate of 10% instead of 20%, if the home is more than 2 years old and the work is carried out by an RGE (Reconnu Garant de l’Environnement) qualified professional.
- Qualify for financial assistance, subject to certain conditions.
How can I obtain financial assistance to adapt a shower for the elderly?
When it comes to adapting a shower for the elderly, there are a number of financial aids available to help you finance your project. These grants are awarded by different organizations, according to varying criteria. Here’s how to obtain ANAH assistance, one of the main sources of funding for shower adaptation.
How do I get ANAH assistance for adapting a shower for an elderly person?
The ANAH (Agence nationale de l’habitat) is a public body whose mission is to support the improvement and adaptation of private housing. In particular, the ANAH offers a scheme called “Habiter facile”, designed to help elderly people who are losing their independence to remain in their own homes. This aid can cover up to 50% of the cost of shower adaptation work, up to a maximum of €5,000.
To obtain ANAH assistance for adapting a shower for an elderly person, follow these steps:
- Find out about the conditions of eligibility and how to apply for assistance on the ANAH website or at a renovation info service point (PRIS) near you.
- Have an autonomy diagnosis carried out by an occupational therapist or a qualified professional, who will assess your needs and advise you on the work to be carried out.
- Get detailed quotes from RGE (Reconnu garant de l’environnement) qualified companies that meet quality and safety standards.
- Submit your application online at monprojet.anah.gouv.fr, or by post to the appropriate department (local ANAH delegation or local authority).
- Wait for the grant decision, which may take several months depending on the case. Assistance is not automatic; it depends on local priorities and available funding.
- Start work once you have received written approval from the ANAH. You have one year to complete the work.
- Send receipted invoices and proof of payment to ANAH to receive the grant.
Who is eligible for ANAH assistance to adapt a shower for the elderly? What conditions must be met?
ANAH grants for adapting a shower for the elderly are intended for owner-occupiers or landlords who rent their property to the elderly. To qualify, you must meet the following conditions:
- Your home must be more than 15 years old on the date you apply for assistance.
- Your property must be your principal residence, or that of your elderly tenant, and not intended for seasonal or furnished rental.
- Your income must not exceed the ceilings set by the ANAH, which vary according to your family situation and place of residence. You can consult the ceilings on the ANAH website or at a PRIS.
- You must be at least 60 years old and have lost your autonomy, i.e. belong to an iso-resource group (GIR) of between 1 and 6. The GIR is assessed by a medico-social professional during an autonomy diagnosis.
ANAH grants: what documents do I need to redo my shower free of charge?
To get ANAH assistance to redo your shower free of charge, you need to provide the following documents:
- A copy of your identity card or that of the elderly tenant if you are a landlord.
- A copy of your last tax assessment or notice.
- A copy of the title deed or lease for the property to be renovated.
- Proof of the applicant’s or tenant’s GIR, issued by a medical-social professional.
- A report from an occupational therapist or a diagnosis of autonomy, specifying the needs and recommendations for adapting the shower.
- Detailed estimates drawn up to ANAH standards by RGE-qualified companies.
- A bank details form (RIB) for payment of the grant.
A shower for the elderly: a summary
Adapting a shower for the elderly is a process that facilitates access, comfort and safety for senior citizens. There are different types of shower for the elderly, to suit different needs: shower cubicles, walk-in showers and walk-in showers. To adapt your shower, you can call on the services of a qualified professional, who will advise and support you in your project. You can also benefit from ANAH grants, which can cover up to 50% of the cost of the work, subject to certain conditions. To qualify, you must meet the eligibility criteria, submit an application and provide the necessary documents.
