Category: bathroom updates

“Seniorizing” Your Home- part 1

(To Age in Place)

So, why not just move to a one level patio home or condominium?

Those of us who have priced patio homes or one level living have been dismayed that the cost is higher than our current homes would sell for, meaning adding a new mortgage or liquidating our savings.

The aging population is quickly picking up one level homes or converted “ranch” style homes, so that they rarely come on the market. Alot of people we know are buying homes through realtors or other sources, before the houses hit the MLS.

Active seniors also want to live independently, rather than move to senior apartments or condos. Bad experiences during COVID lockdowns included restrictions on visitors to over 55 settings.

For some of these reasons, making your current home “age friendly” and safer has taken hold. Home improvement centers have been overrun with demand for remodeling and updating since COVID, especially

Bathroom Modifications
(Fall prevention)


-Replace jacuzzi tub with walk in shower

Friends are in the process of replacing a large jacuzzi with a walk in shower to make their home more “age friendly”. Options: built in seat, grab bars, or sized to add a shower chair later

Adapt current tub with clip on grab bar, near toilet for dual use.
This adaptation was helpful for a beautiful lady with severe arthritis and risk for falls. Low cost clip on grab bar that doesn’t require a handyman
$45 Home Depot

Tub Cut out Conversion Kit

My elderly Mom had this conversion done at her senior apartment, that gave her a few more years of independence.

See more of my posts on aging gently.

https://smartswitharthritishome.wordpress.com

https://smartswitharthritishome.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=705&action=edit

Blessings, Mary Beth

Scrub free Shower and Tub Solutions

(including textured shower and tub floors)

Updated 08/11/23

I don’t know about you, but scrubbing tubs and shower doors is one of the hardest things on my hands, not to mention twisting or bending. You can buy commercial foaming bath cleaners but I find those to be very noxious to breathe in the house. Many other people have found a regular swipe with a good quality squeegee after a shower is excellent maintenance and relatively easy.

oxo squeegee – easy hold grip for shower/tub
Bed Bath and Beyond- under $10 with coupon
Trader Jo spray on cleaner for regular maintenance
My friend Lynn’s favorite DIY instant cleaner: half rubbing alcohol/ half vinegar. great on my glass shower doors

See The Everyday Cheapskate website homemade cleaner recipes at the link below. Or fastest off all, my favorite Trader Jo essential oil infused cleaner. It works well as a spray on and leave daily cleaner, including glass shower doors. I love the cedarwood-sage fragrance, without strong noxious cleaning fumes. Used the squeegee for regular maintenance.

A light wipe with a magic clean eraser helped loosen any areas that needed a touch up, especially my glass shower doors.

Textured shower or tub floors can look “grubby” even when clean. An overnight solution of baking soda and vinegar bubbled up and whitened my flower, with a light wipe only. Use full strength vinegar.

full strength vinegar over about 1 cup of baking soda. Soak overnite on textured shower or tub floors.
Heavy duty formula with half vinegar/half Dawn detergent in a professional sprayer bottle from Menards or Home Depot for heavy grime.

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/dear-mary/make-tub-tile-shower-cleaners-cheaper-better-faster/

Additional hint: install a detachable shower head for easier cleaning of the shower by rinsing off solution. This is also important for independent showering as we age or after a surgery. Detachable shower heads are reasonably priced and easy to install without calling a plumber.
Final suggestion: hiring someone to do heavy scrubbing once a month is worth it, if you can swing it financially. Then do the above maintenance in between.

Blessings, Mary Beth