As carers, the bathroom can be a space that comes with both physical and emotional challenges. Be it if we are helping the person we look after to wash or shave, cleaning them after they use the toilet, or keeping on top of their basic care like teeth brushing, we may find we spend a lot of our ‘caring time’ in bathrooms. But they are often cramped. And the awkward space can make already challenging situations even more so.
Here, we’ll explore ten practical, adaptable ideas that can help with safety, comfort, and independence in the bathroom. As well as options for financial support with the changes.
But beyond safety, they can also give the person we look after more confidence and a better ability to take on some of their own needs for longer. If we and the person we care for feel strongly about avoiding residential care, some simple adaptations (or more complex depending on their needs) can help them to stay in their own home safely, for longer.
“We moved into a flat from a cottage as my husband is in a wheelchair. We had the bathroom converted to a wet room, with non-slip flooring and temperature controlled shower. He can wheel his chair into the shower and transfer to a shower stool with the aid of grab handles. Very pleased we had it done, makes life easier for me and gives him some dignity.”
10 tips for adapting our bathroom
1. Mobility and transfer aids
Installing sturdy grab bars around key areas like the toilet, our bath or shower, and along walls can really help with stability. And some options do not require any drilling. Non-slip handrails are more expensive, but can be an even safer option.
There are also items such as transfer boards, bath lifts, or hoists. These can offer additional support and reduce the physical strain on us or paid carers when helping with washing. If we need something like this we should speak to our social services or occupational therapist for advice on what option would best suit our needs.
“We have a bath lift that was kindly fitted by social services. My mother-in-law likes to take baths at all hours but struggles to get out by herself.”
Funding tip:
Some of these may be covered by local council grants or Attendance Allowance. The Personal Independence Payment is another benefit designed to help cover some additional expenses associated with long-term health conditions or disabilities. These benefits can be used to pay for equipment and small alterations to make our lives easier, maintain independence and allow for safer care in our homes.
If we’re of state pension age and on a low income,other benefits we might be eligible for include Pension Credit.
2. Shower modifications
Roll-in showers (with no high edges or steps) or wet rooms, allow easy wheelchair access and can also make it easier for us or a paid carer to help with washing.
“We had a wet room conversion recently with a fold-up seat by the shower. Money well spent - so much easier.”
For simpler, more affordable changes we can look into adding a shower stool or handheld showerhead. A stool can help reduce the risk of falls, and if we are the one washing them both can help save our backs from as much bending. For some these modifications can also make it easier for the person we look after to wash themselves with less assistance. This can help them to feel more empowered, and take some of the load off us.
Top tip:
When major renovations aren't possible, simple adaptations to existing features can help. Such as removing shower doors to create more space for mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs, or to allow caregivers to assist with bathing.
3. Bath safety
Along with grab rails, adding a non-slip mat is a simple and affordable change that can really improve safety when it comes to getting in and out of a bath.
If we are caring for a child or someone who struggles with the idea of being washed we could also try adding some waterproof toys as a distraction for them.
Top tip:
If bathtime accidents are likely, carers from the community recommend keeping a dedicated sieve in the bathroom for scooping up any mess.
4. Toilet accessibility
Raised toilet seats and toilet frames can offer extra support for those with limited mobility, reducing the need for as much help from us or their paid carer. Sometimes these are included as part of a hospital discharge, but can also be ordered from places like Amazon for around £50-60.
Some carers in our community have shared that while expensive, toilets with inbuilt hygiene systems provide a high level of cleaning and can provide our cared for with more dignity if they are unable to wipe themselves.
“We have a Washloo. It flushes automatically and has a remote that my husband, who has MND, can use.”
“We had a Roca Inspira installed. It's fairly simple to use. I bought it from a company in Scotland who offer the zero VAT scheme for disabled use.”
Funding tip:
Council grants may cover advanced toilet features. Or if we are buying them ourselves, we may not need to pay VAT if we qualify for the VAT relief. This can include:
Installing ramps or widening doorways for better accessibility
Fitting accessible showers or toilets
Installing lifts or hoists to help with moving around
Other changes needed because of the person we care for’s condition
If we qualify for the VAT relief, we can let the supplier or builder know and they may give us a short form to fill. This means we will only pay for the work and not the VAT.
5. Doorway adjustments
Replacing traditional doorknobs with lever handles can make the toilet door easier to use for those with limited hand strength or mobility.
If we are looking to remodel our bathroom, opting for wider doorways can be expensive but can allow more space for wheelchairs and walkers. And less chance of nasty elbow or knee bumps and bruises.
Top tip:
To make a regular door more accessible, consider adding a rope loop to the handle to help with opening and closing from a seated position or while holding a walker.
6. Sinks and countertops
Adding foam protectors to the edges or selecting counters with rounded corners can help prevent injury, both for us and the person we look after. The last thing we want is a head injury when bending over to help the person we care for wipe up.
To simplify daily care, it’s helpful to keep essentials within reach and clearly visible. This may also allow the person we care for to take more control of their own hygiene. Similarly, adding angled or adjustable mirrors can allow them to see from a seated position, which may enable them to brush their own hair or teeth for longer.
Funding tip:
Lowered, open-front sinks designed for wheelchair access are sometimes funded as part of larger council grants and can be discussed with an occupational therapist or during an assessment.
7. Emergency help options
An emergency call button or pull cord near the toilet or shower can be vital for quick assistance. This is something we can buy online, then ask an electrician to help us install it. Or check what emergency call alarm schemes are available through our local council.
Or for a cost-effective option, set up a smart speaker such as Alexa with a voice-activated “call for help” feature.
8. Improved lighting
Bright lighting reduces the risk of falls or accidents and can make it easier for us or the person we look after to see what we’re doing. Bulbs come with different lights or wattage, and some find a white light easier to see than yellow. Lighting from a variety of angles can also help with personal care tasks like shaving. Lighting from above is ineffective if you are bent over or lent forwards.
While energy-saving lightbulbs can be cost-effective, they often take longer to become bright which can cause more accidents or injuries - especially with night time toilet trips.
We might want to consider motion-sensor lights, which are available at a range of prices. These can be helpful for those using a walker or with reduced mobility who struggle with switches.
Top tip:
Keep light switches in accessible places, or consider changing to pull cords which can require less reach and mobility than a traditional switch.
9. Accessible storage solutions
Install open shelves (don’t be shy to ask a family member or friend if we can’t do this ourselves), hang baskets, switch to bathroom caddies or move drawers to more accessible heights for storing any essential items so they can be seen easily and are in reach.
To make things even simpler for the person we care for, we may also want to consider labelling products to show which should be used first. For example, we may want to add a ‘1’ label to the shampoo bottle if it’s the first step, ‘2’ to the conditioner bottle and so on. Not only can it make bathing easier for the person we look after, if they are still able to wash themselves, but also helps to avoid mixups if we have paid carers helping them.
10. Hot water controls
If scalding or burns are a concern, anti-scald devices for taps and showerheads can be really helpful and are sold in most kitchen and bathroom stores. Most places like B&Q and Wickes also offer installation services.
A cheaper option is a thermostatic mixing valve which keeps water temperatures consistent, so we don’t need to monitor it. We can get these from hardware stores but may wish to ask a friendly plumber to confirm what size and type we need for our pipes - or to fix it for us.
Sounds great, but how do I pay for all this?
While adaptations can make a real difference to both our lives and the life of the person we care for - they do come with cost. Especially if we are considering larger changes such as a new toilet, or remodelling the whole room.
There are financial support options available across the UK, Scotland and Wales, including grants, benefits, and local authority schemes. But these do differ depending on where we live and our local council.
Disability grants from local councils
England and Wales: Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are available for home adaptations like walk-in showers, wet rooms, and bath lifts. These are means-tested and require an assessment by an Occupational Therapist (OT).
Scotland: Similar grants are offered, but under different schemes. Funding typically comes through the Scheme of Assistance, which is not means-tested in the same way as DFGs.
OT assessments are crucial for accessing these grants across all regions.
Additional Benefits
Care Need Assessment: Local councils may cover some costs if the need is shown during the assessment. The funding can range from small adaptations such as handheld showerheads, grab bars, to larger remodelling changes. If we live in Scotland, we can request an Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP), which is similar to a Carer’s Assessment.
VAT exemptions: Adaptations for disabled individuals are exempt from VAT, though we may need to explain the exemption rule to our supplier. We can find more on this at gov.uk.
Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs)
These organisations offer advice and project management for home modifications, helping to navigate grants and find reliable builders. Scotland has Care and Repair services offering similar support.
For more guidance, check your local council's website or visit regional-specific services like Care and Repair Scotland.
Scam Awareness
When making any changes to our home we should be aware of potential scams. It is always worth using reliable services, and is best not to pay builders the full amount upfront until the end.
Practical bathroom tips from other carers
Find some helpful tips from carers in our community for those of us who are responsible for the basic care needs of the person we look after.
Teeth Brushing
Trying different times of day to see when they are more compliant
Using a soft toothbrush - carers recommend a Dr Barmans toothbrush
Using children’s toothpaste, which often tastes nicer
Switching to a battery-operated brush so less manual scrubbing is needed
Sometimes settling for only getting toothpaste on their teeth if they won’t let us brush
Shaving
Consider using an electric shaver if the person we’re care for prefers to be clean-shaven
Use warm water and shaving gel or foam to help soften the hair and skin, making shaving more comfortable
If they are comfortable with some facial hair, a beard trimmer can be a simpler option
Go slowly and take our time as it might be our first time shaving someone else
Read more practical tips on caring for a man shared by other carers in our guide.
Assisting with washing or using the loo
Tenna pads can be really helpful. but for longer-term solutions, check out our guide to Bladder and Bowl Incontinence.
Hear their needs, it can be mortifying for them too. We explore this further in our Carers' Guide to Dignity in Care blog.
Remember that we don’t have to do anything we don’t want to. We should be honest with paid carers or our local council if we don’t feel comfortable with washing someone or wiping after they use the loo.
If the person we care for is struggling to look after their hygiene due to depression, we may want to get a therapist or specialist involved.
Making the space also work for us
If we share the bathroom with the person we care for, we still want the bathroom to feel like a pleasant space for us - which can be tricky if it looks and smells like a hospital. Especially for those of us who know the occasional hot bath is the closest we will be getting to a spa day any time soon.
If safe to do so, we could try to incorporate some simple touches, like a bath shelf, candles, or a soft bath mat or towel. Or have a ‘chill time’ box we can pull out with some things in it if we are able to give ourselves time for a bath to unwind. Adding a shower curtain means we can close it to hide the rest of the bathroom from view, or we can try listening to calming music to help us relax.
What’s Next?
While there is no one-size-fits-alls, just making a few bathroom adaptations can make a big difference. By thinking about the options out there, and seeing what funding may be available, we can create a safer, more functional space. One that supports both the independence and safety of the person we care for and our well-being.
For more top tips and support, or to share your own ideas, join the Mobilise Hub today.