The bathroom is one of the most common places for falls at home. Wet floors, small spaces and hard surfaces make it risky, and it is also where people most want privacy and independence. Good bathroom modifications are based on how the person actually uses the room, not on a standard list.
Why start with an OT assessment
An occupational therapist watches how the person gets in and out of the shower, uses the toilet, and manages the basin and storage, and what they find difficult. Then they recommend changes that fit that person and that bathroom. Two people with the same condition may need very different solutions.
What an OT looks at
- How the person gets in and out of the shower or bath, including stepping over a hob or lip
- Balance and strength when standing, sitting, turning and reaching
- Toilet height and the space to move or transfer
- Floor surfaces, drainage and lighting
- Whether a carer helps, and how much space they need
- The person’s own goals, such as showering alone or with help
Common bathroom modifications
With a focus on the right solutions for optimal outcomes, examples of common bathroom modifications include:
- Grab rails, placed according to how the person moves
- Level-entry or low-threshold showers
- Shower seats or chairs, fixed or portable
- Raised toilet seats or toilet frames
- Non-slip flooring
- Hand-held shower heads and easy-reach controls
- Improved lighting
Why placement matters
A rail in the wrong place can be useless or even unsafe. Placement depends on the person’s height, strength and direction of movement. This is one reason an OT recommendation is more useful than a generic purchase.
Getting started
1. Talk with the participant and their support provider about goals.
2. Request an OT home assessment. See What is an OT Home Assessment under Support at Home?
3. Review the recommendations with the participant.
4. Arrange the work with qualified trades, once approved. See From OT assessment to completed modification: The home modification process
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an OT to install in a grab rail?
This depends on the funding pathway. Under the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme, all home modifications must be prescribed by an occupational therapist working within their professional scope of practice. If funding home modifications privately (outside of a government support scheme), an OT can consult to help planning of optimal rail placement for an individual.
Are bathroom modifications only for wheelchair users?
Not at all. Bathroom modifications benefit a large range of people with wide ranging needs in order to improve accessibility and comfort while reducing risk of slips and falls.
Worried about a bathroom? Request an OT home assessment
A safer home starts with understanding the person
Every home is different. Every person is different. That is why the right approach starts with the individual rather than a list of products. At Home Access Group, we help coordinate OT home assessments that consider the person’s needs, goals, functional abilities and home environment.
The mission is simple: Help people stay safe, independent and at home for longer. If you or someone you care for is finding everyday activities around the home more difficult, an OT home assessment may be a useful place to start.
Your home should work for you – not the other way around. Reach out and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Still looking to learn more about OT home assessments and home modifications? Try our quick links below:
Information about Support at Home and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme can change. Providers should refer to current Australian Government guidance when making funding and service decisions.
