Could A Shower Seat Be The Best Solution For Your Bathroom?

Practising daily hygiene by showering or bathing is something most people do without thinking too hard about it. Often, it is only when accidents, slips and near-misses happen in the bathroom that adaptations are considered. 

Conditions that occur as people age can increase the risk of such accidents. The ability to wash properly and safely can be hampered by:

• Poor balance
• Weakened muscles
• Joint pain and arthritis
• Fatigue and low stamina
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease
• Dizziness, perhaps caused by conditions like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) or Ménière’s disease

One solution is to renovate the bathroom and install a fully accessible bathroom suite; however, space, budget and personal preference are factors in the decision. Added to that, many UK homes no longer have a bath in their bathroom. 

 

Are showers more popular than baths?

In the UK, more people choose to shower over taking a daily soak in the tub, citing them as “more practical for everyday life.” British homeowners are even removing their baths in favour of a larger shower that they are more likely to use. 

According to statistics from Direct Line’s Home Insurance Survey 2025, one in five UK households no longer have baths installed, and 51 per cent of adults state they do not need a bath at home. 

Reasons for choosing showering over bathing include:

• Personal preference for showers – including 65 per cent of people aged 55+
• Baths are too expensive to run/fill
• Baths are time-consuming
• Bath water goes cold too quickly
• Accessibility is also cited as a reason to prefer showers, with 18 per cent of people in the over-55 category stating they are unable to get in and out of the bath. 

How can people with accessibility issues stay safe in the bathroom without changing their bathing preferences? And what if installing an accessible bath is not a viable option in the home or simply not wanted?

 

How can a shower seat help with accessibility?

Refitting or refurbishing a bathroom can be a big change and an investment, but there are ways to make a shower more accessible without fully committing to a new bathroom just yet. 

One of them is to install a shower seat or shower bench in the existing shower. Disruption due to installation is minimal as they attach to the wall or are free-standing, so they can be easily removed if the adaptations are due to temporary conditions. 

A shower seat means less time standing unaided while washing. It provides a robust, stable position and can prevent slips and falls. 

For those householders who want to keep their independence and dignity as long as possible, it can mean being able to shower without help from a carer. 

Seated washing can help to prevent further fatigue and unsteadiness on standing. 

 

What options are there for seats in showers?

Folding seats and benches

These are a great option for households where they are only needed for some household members. The rest of the time, they can be folded back against the tiles. 

Free-standing seats

A sturdy-framed seat with anti-slip feet that can be removed from the shower tray when not required. 

Fixed benches and seats

These are robust and capable of holding a heavier load than a folding seat. Securely attached to the wall at multiple anchor points, and some are also attached at the base of the legs. 

They all have anti-slip, ergonomically designed seat pans, and some shower seats have built-in backrests and armrests for added comfort and support.

What Is The Best Temperature For Your Easy Access Bath?

With heatwaves looming, one of the best ways to manage your body temperature is to take a soothing, warm bath, but what temperature should you set your easy access bath to, and why does this work?

During periods of extraordinarily warm weather, typically beginning in late spring and spanning all the way up to mid-September, there are several important tips to follow to keep yourself safe, particularly if you are sun-sensitive, struggle with temperature regulation or have flare-ups when hot or dehydrated.

One of the most surprising of these is to take a warm bath, particularly since it sounds somewhat counterproductive; when you are feeling warm, why would soaking yourself in warm water help?

To explain why, it is important to explore the benefits of warm baths, how they affect your body’s temperature regulation even in summer, and what temperature to set your bath to to ensure that, from start to finish, you are at a comfortable temperature.

 

Why Are Warm Baths Better For You Than Cold Showers?

When you are feeling especially hot, particularly after building up a sweat in the baking sun, the temptation is to step into a cold shower, but this actually might be counterproductive, according to an article by Manchester Evening News.

The issue is that whilst a cold shower provides instant relief, it actually interrupts your body’s natural systems for getting rid of heat.

The body naturally reacts to cold temperatures by constricting blood vessels, which stops the body from losing heat through the skin. This means that you can potentially feel even hotter once you leave the bath.

Instead, you should opt for the opposite, especially when preparing for bed, as a warm, relaxing bath is the best way for your body to acclimatise to warmth and allows your body’s core temperature to drop.

This is particularly useful in a walk-in bath, as whilst you are waiting for the water to drain, your body will cool down, and you will feel more comfortable and optimise your core body temperature.

 

Additional Benefits Of Warm Baths During Summer?

• A warm bath helps with sleep, particularly an hour before bedtime
• A warm bath soothes joint and muscle stiffness and pain, making it easier to relax afterwards
• A warm bath helps you feel more moisturised as your body soaks in and absorbs water from the bath
• A warm bath can help you feel better, as there is a link between serotonin and warm water

 

What Is The Best Temperature For A Warm Bath?

Whilst it is clear at this point that a warm bath is the best way to stay cool in summer and keep warm in winter, what is the ideal temperature to heat your bathwater to?

Typically, your bath should be a few degrees higher than your normal body temperature, which for most adults is between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius. 

Generally, you should stick to a bath that is around 40 degrees Celsius, but you can have it slightly warmer or cooler depending on personal preference.

For people over the age of 65 with cooler core temperatures, the best temperature to keep your bath to is closer to 37 or 38 degrees Celsius in order to avoid overheating.

How Have Walk-In Baths Evolved & Developed Over The Years?

As a fundamental part of our daily routine, it is essential that everyone has a way to comfortably wash and bathe. Whether you prefer baths or showers, accessible options are available for you.

One of the most intriguing and constantly evolving areas in the world of accessible bathing is walk-in baths, the versatile, comfortable, often invigorating and relaxing way to bathe when it is difficult or impossible to step into a conventional tub.

The modern history of walk-in baths begins in the 1980s with the development of more sophisticated seals and bulkheads, as well as the early development of electronically-assisted bath designs that allowed for them to meet a wider set of needs.

Walk-in baths, however, are older than you might think, and they have changed in very fundamental ways over the past century.

Where did they start? What were they used for? When did they enter the home? And how has the bath evolved throughout this time?

 

Who Invented The Walk-In Bath?

Finding the inventor of the first walk-in bath is difficult, as much of the information surrounding the history of accessibility is remarkably scattered and difficult to collate.

Helpfully, there is a patent office classification (A47K3/006), which relates specifically to doors designed to make it easier to get into a bath, and given that the primary innovation of a walk-in bath is a door that eliminates the need for a stepover, this provides a potential inventor and invention date.

The first ever entry in this field by John Gourlay from 1868 is an exceedingly rough example of a standing bath, consisting of a cabinet with an outer wooden layer and an inner layer with a watertight door which opens inwards.

Exactly how the water would get in and out is not made clear, particularly since it was intended to be portable.

However, a much more promising design was patented by Ida W Schmidt in 1903, and consists of a more conventional bath with a bulkhead door on the front, which, according to the placement of the hinges, appears to open outwards.

This is unusual, given that most walk-in bath designs open inwards to allow the water pressure to keep the door closed and sealed.

 

When Did Walk-In Baths Become Popular?

Early designs for walk-in baths were primarily designed for hospitals, mental health facilities and care homes as an alternative to rudimentary hoists or physically lifting people into the bath.

They were purely functional in design, using either bulkhead access doors or removable panels to help people get in by themselves or with assistance, before the door was closed and the bath filled around them as normal.

The designs were bulky, utilitarian in design, focused on use with a carer and were intended as medical products. This would change.

 

How Did Walk-In Baths Evolve?

The first change was the development of Care in the Community, an initiative that took an independence-first approach to care, focusing on adaptations, home care and keeping people in their own home as much as possible.

The walk-in bath was redesigned to fit into modern bathroom design, with white acrylic materials, sculpted integrated seating inspired by Japanese bathing culture and doors which opened outward.

The latter development was massively important, as this allowed walk-in baths to be used by a broader number of people.

What Are The Top Bathroom Adaptations If You Have Arthritis?

Arthritis is thought to affect around ten million people in the UK alone. There are various forms of the condition, but broadly speaking it causes joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This is when the cartilage in one of your joints becomes rough. In response, the body can try to repair itself, but this causes its own problems. They include excess fluid in the joint and extra bits of bone growing. 

Osteoarthritis is more common as you get older. Another condition to be aware of is rheumatoid arthritis. This is an auto-immune condition that causes inflammation and excess fluid in certain joints. 

Any type of arthritis can make everyday tasks more difficult, especially if your arthritis affects the joints in your hands and fingers. 

When your arthritis affects your knees or hips, it can reduce your mobility. This can make it harder to use a regular bathroom. 

 

What adaptations can you make to your bathroom if you have arthritis?

There are various adaptations that can make it easier and safer to use your bathroom if you have arthritis. 

Change your taps

One simple step to take is to replace any taps that require you to twist or grip them with lever handles or flat handles. 

This means you won’t have to rely on your hands and your grip strength to turn your tap on when you’re in the bathroom. 

Fit a walk-in shower bath

If your arthritis affects your legs, it is important to explore how you can make using your bathroom safer. This might involve installing a walk in shower bath so that you don’t have to climb over any high sides to wash yourself. 

Remove trip hazards

Another option is to look at how to lower the threshold from your main bathroom into your shower. That might mean converting your bathroom to a wetroom, for instance. This can help you easily move between the two spaces without needing to navigate any steps.

Give yourself support

You may also want to fit a shower seat in your shower. This will mean you don’t have to stand up while you wash yourself. 

In addition to easing the pain you experience in your joints, this can also be safer as you are not relying on your balance for the whole time you are having a shower. 

This can be particularly helpful for those who have rheumatoid arthritis, as this condition can cause tiredness. It is also a condition that has flare-ups, which means your symptoms get worse for a period of time before regulating. 

Similarly installing toilet seats that reduce the distance you have to crouch to be able to sit down can be helpful for those with any kind of arthritis. Often such seats also have arms, giving you additional support to help you stand. 

Install anti-slip flooring

It is also important to consider anti-slip flooring as part of your adaptations. This is advisable for all of us as we age. Installing anti-slip flooring will be especially important if you are converting your bathroom into a wet room.

What Is The Difference Between Power Baths & Walk-In Baths?

The ultimate goal of any bath is to provide a welcoming, comfortable, relaxing experience to everyone, and taking an accessibility-first approach to your bathroom future-proofs it and allows for multi-generational comfort.

With showers, there is a choice between walk-in showers with a small step or a wet room, which turns the entire bathroom into a de facto shower. Both suit different people with varying accessibility needs.

The contrast is even starker with walk-in baths and power baths, two bath designs which, whilst similar in their goals, have remarkably different approaches to reach them.

A walk-in bath typically has a sealed door which allows for a low-step entry, alongside comfortable integrated seating that allows you to easily get in, bathe seated and then get out.

They tend to have large doors which allow a person to easily get in without stepping over the side of the tub, close and lock the seal, sit down on a sculpted seat and allow the warm bath water to fill up around them before being quickly drained again before they leave.

It is comfortable, elegant, easy to use and designed to make bathing easier by removing the largest barrier to comfortable, safe bathing.

By contrast, a power bath typically consists of a bath with a seat which raises and lowers someone in and out of the bath.

They can vary considerably in design based on accessibility needs. Some will provide a simple lift that allows someone to be gently supported in and out of the bath. Many of these will overlap with other types of walk-in baths.

Other power baths, by contrast, will have sophisticated powered seats which can comfortably lift a user in and out of a bath with ease, allowing for more comfortable and independent bathing for everyone, as well as enabling a transfer from bath to a wheelchair or a bed.

What Is A Bidet And How Can It Help With Accessible Hygiene?

In recent years, the idea of accessible design has moved beyond adaptations and become a fundamental aspect of how houses and especially bathrooms are designed.

For example, whilst wet rooms provide seamless, step-free, slip-resistant accessible bathing, they also create a comfortable, luxurious spa-like experience.

Similarly, whilst bidet toilet seats have become increasingly popular as a luxurious addition to a bathroom, they are also a vital addition to help with bathroom hygiene.

The bidet, both separate from and connected to toilets, has existed for decades, if not centuries, but it is not until recently that they have become a regular fixture in people’s homes.

To explain why, it is essential to know what they do and how they evolved, as well as how they reflect a changing attitude towards home design and accessibility.

 

What Is A Bidet?

A bidet is a device which sprays a jet of water upward, helping to thoroughly and hygienically clean the body in places that are difficult, painful or unhygienic to reach.

Whilst the concept is relatively simple, there is a wide variety of forms it takes with a range of added features. The three main designs are:

• Integrated Bidets – A bidet integrated into a toilet, either as a wholly combined unit or an add-on toilet seat.
• Standalone Bidets – A separate bowl that resembles a combination of a small toilet and a large sink.
• Bidet Shower – A hand-held shower nozzle close to the toilet is used for the same function as the other two types of bidet.

In certain countries, some types of bidet are more popular or even legally mandated in building regulations, but in the UK, the most common type of bidet is one integrated into a toilet, which is controlled either by valves or waterproof switches.

As well as jets of water, they can blow warm air to dry a user after washing themselves, as well as heated seats, lights, deodorisers, water pressure controls and even directional controls for the spray.

 

Where Did Bidets Come From?

What is somewhat unusual about bidets is that the basic concept was developed and evolved in parallel in several parts of the world.

The name itself is the French word for “little horse”, and early bidets in France in the late 17th and early 18th century resembled wooden ponies in design, with a bowl over which a user would straddle, as well as a raised section to use for balance.

Whilst variations of this bidet existed in several countries, to the point of being required by law in countries such as Portugal and Italy, it was almost non-existent elsewhere.

In the 20th century, with more widespread indoor plumbing, the bidet evolved to fit, and the earliest recognisable models started to exist.

John Harvey Kellogg, the co-creator of cornflakes, patented an early example of the bidet toilet seat, but the patent seemed to expire before it could be commercialised.

Interestingly, although the bidet toilet was refined in the United States, it was notoriously unpopular. The American Bidet Company launched the American Sitzbath in 1964, but no broadcaster, publisher or advertising agency was willing to help promote it, and it failed as a result.

The patent was licensed in Japan, but whilst it was similarly unsuccessful at first outside of hospitals, when it was developed into the integrated Washlet line of bidet toilet seats, it became significantly more successful.

This caused them to spread in the 2000s to countries and regions where they had previously been less popular, including Northern Europe, North America and the UK.

 

Why Have Bidets Become More Popular?

Up until the early 2000s, bidets were either ubiquitous or extremely rare, depending on where you lived. Some countries had one in every home, whilst others tend to be aftermarket attachments and adaptations.

This began to change partly due to their popularity in Japan, which led to a rapid technological evolution that enhanced their functionality, but it is linked to a change in approach for accessible design, where bathrooms are designed to be used by everyone.

What To Include In Your Accessible Bathroom For Downstairs Living

Most people want to stay in their house for as long as possible before they have to move to a care home, even if their mobility difficulties make this challenging for them. That is why it is essential to make necessary adjustments to the property in order to extend their home living. 

One way to do this is to have a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor so they do not have to navigate the stairs. 

If you are considering fitting a downstairs washroom for yourself or a loved one, here are some things you should consider:

 

Easy access

The most important thing to implement when designing the space is making sure it is easily accessible. This means it needs to have level access, a sufficient area within the room to move around in, and potentially a wider doorway if it is likely that a wheelchair may be needed in the future. 

 

Sliding doors

Having sliding doors is also a good idea, as this means someone on the outside of the bathroom can still enter if the user has a fall behind the door and cannot get out themselves. 

Alternatively, if there is not enough space for a sliding door, you could fit it so it opens outwards.

This prevents the person getting stuck behind the door, preventing a relative, friend or carer from being able to get in and help. 

 

Higher toilets

Fitting toilets that have a higher seat than standard WCs is a good option for anyone who has difficulty with their mobility, as it enables them to sit down comfortably without causing pain in their joints, hips or back. 

They can also help anyone who has issues with their balance, as there is less of a distance between sitting and standing, reducing the risk of falling. 

By making it easier for homeowners to use the toilet by themselves, this gives them more independence for longer, and helps them to maintain their dignity. 

 

Smart WCs

Another option is to buy a smart WC, which can provide a range of technological functions, such as touch-free flushing, heated seating, and integrated bidet toilet seats with adjustable water temperature, pressure and drying. 

This is especially beneficial for people who have limited dexterity, poor balance, painful joints, or weakness in their muscles, as it helps them to stay clean after using the toilet without having to put pressure on their legs and hands.

 

Wet rooms

There are many options when it comes to installing bath seats or walk-in baths, but wet rooms have become increasingly popular over the last few years. 

This is because they are very easy to access, they do not require stepping into or over a level, and shower seats can be fitted to the wall so anyone can sit down while washing. 

On a practical level, they may also require less room than a bath, making them a more viable option for a downstairs washroom. 

By fitting anti-slip flooring, adjustable shower heads, and grab rails as well, there is a lower risk of slipping in the shower. 

It is important to make sure the wet room is properly installed, however, so it is fully waterproof and there are no leaks underneath the flooring. 

If it is fitted well, it can last a long time and be a good option for future house guests to use too. 

 

Sensor taps

Another design consideration to make when creating a downstairs bathroom is to fit sensor taps or levers. This is because traditional taps that you twist to open can be really difficult to use for the elderly or anyone with reduced mobility in their hands. 

Ones that work on a sensor or just need to be flicked on and off are much easier to operate.

 

Emergency features

It is also worth installing emergency features in the bathroom, including pull cords that alert a carer or relative, or trigger a loud siren if there’s a fall. 

According to NHS figures, a third of people over 65 fall over at least once a year, with this rising to half of those older than 80 years old. Therefore, it is sensible to be as prepared as possible in case this happens at home.

Is A Walk-In Bath Or A Wet Room Better For Accessibility?

There are few everyday comforts more relaxing than bathing after a long day. Whether you prefer baths or showers, there are so many options to meet everyone’s needs and ensure that this simple pleasure remains accessible to everyone at every stage of life.

Whilst the debate around whether baths or showers are better is mostly a question of personal preference, it becomes far more important when accessibility is a key factor.

Both walk-in baths and wet room showers are excellent choices that can be tailored to meet particular needs, but which one is the best choice for an accessible bathroom?

The answer depends a lot on individual circumstances, the size and shape of the bathroom in question, particular accessibility needs and personal preference.

 

What Is A Walk-In Bath?

A walk-in bath is a bath with a seat, anti-slip flooring and a door you can open that is watertight, allowing someone to simply step into the bath without having to lift their leg and take a big step.

They are designed with customisation in mind, and a walk-in bath can vary from a sit-down tub with a watertight door to make it easy to get in, get out, reach the taps and the shower, or it can be a larger power bath with a movable seat that raises and lowers.

They can be adapted to include whirlpool-style spa jets, underwater lights and booster cushions as required.

 

What Is A Wet Room?

A wet room is an entirely waterproof room, with anti-slip flooring and a shower drain at the same level of elevation to each other. In effect, it is an open-plan shower which can be easily adapted for any kind of mobility and accessibility need.

They are not quite the same as walk-in showers; a walk-in shower is more clearly sectioned off and defined, with a shower tray and screens that close the space off from the toilet, sink, shelves and the rest of the bathroom.

 

Are Wet Rooms Or Walk-In Baths Best For You?

The decision between a wet room and a walk-in bath is even more distinct than the typical question of choosing a shower or a bath. The right answer will depend fundamentally on your bathroom and your style of washing.

The biggest consideration with a walk-in bath is that, because of the door, you need to wait for the tub to fill up around you, which can take up to 15 minutes depending on the size of the bath.

As well as this, the bath needs to drain entirely before you can get out of the bath, and it is highly recommended that you get a walk-in bath with a quick-draining system.

Without one, it can take up to 15 minutes for the tub to drain before you get out, towel dry and warm up. Some walk-in baths have heated

What Is Functional Fitness And How Does It Help As You Age?

There is a lot of guidance around staying fit and healthy as you get older, but one of the most important areas to focus on is functional fitness. 

At its core, functional fitness encompasses activities that are designed to help counter age-related changes in our bodies, such as muscle loss, declining strength and power, and challenges with balance. 

Functional fitness is all about helping you maintain – or in some cases develop – the ability to carry out everyday tasks. 

The movements you perform can be related to activities you will often undertake. For instance, squats are a functional fitness movement because they strengthen the muscles in your legs that enable you to comfortably sit down and stand up.

There are a range of functional fitness exercises that you can easily perform at home without the need for any additional equipment, all of which will help you stay mobile and active. 

However, even if you regularly carry out functional fitness exercises and perhaps even undertake other training, you still need to be aware of your limitations and think about your safety at home at all times. 

The good news is that there are various home adaptations you can carry out that will help make your life easier. 

 

What home adaptations should you consider as you age?

The most important adaptations will be the ones that enable you to continue with your routine as best as possible.

Often that means the changes that can have the biggest impact will be the likes of installing easy access showers, perhaps with shower seating, to enable you to easily and safely continue to wash yourself. 

These kinds of adaptations don’t have to significantly alter your bathroom. It might be a simple change like installing a shower tray with a lower lip. Or adding a shower seat that gives you a place to rest while you are showering. 

You may have noticed that your mobility is deteriorating, but you are keen to introduce a functional fitness regime to help build up your strength and flexibility again. 

In this instance, having the right adaptations in place to support you while you regain your strength will be important. There is nothing wrong with making use of supportive devices that can make your life easier.

 

Can functional fitness help me recover from an injury?

Yes, it can and by its nature it can be easily tailored to suit your abilities and current fitness levels. 

If you are recovering from an injury or perhaps surgery, it is important to speak to your medical team to find out what is appropriate for you to do. There may be a period during which you are not advised to do much physical activity, for instance. 

Working with an exercise professional like a personal trainer can also be helpful, as they will be able to show you functional fitness movements you can do that are specific to your needs. 

Of course, if you already have home adaptations in place to support you, then you can continue to use those as needed while you regain your strength and mobility.

How Can You Adapt Your Bathroom To Support Independence?

Many people are focused on maintaining their independence as they age, which is completely understandable. A government review of older people’s housing options in the UK highlighted the need for more specialist properties. 

But it also stressed the need to support those who want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. 

In fact, one study found that 80 per cent of homeowners want to stay where they are and not have to move elsewhere. 

If you are among the many people who want to maintain your independent living for as much time as you can, you may want to begin by looking at your bathroom arrangements.

This is because personal care is one of the most sought-after at-home care services. It is understandable that people may need help in this area. 

Mobility issues or long-term health conditions like arthritis can make tasks like showering and bathing more challenging than they used to be. 

In some cases, a fear of slipping while in the bathroom can be enough to put you off using a shower or bath, for instance.

Therefore, choosing the right fixtures and fittings can not only allow you to carry out personal hygiene activities for yourself, but also make you feel much safer while doing so. 

 

What bathroom adaptations can I make?

While the right bathroom adaptations will depend on the space you have available, there are many options open to you. 

Here are some of the most popular choices to consider:

Walk-in power baths 

If you currently have a bathtub in your home, but aren’t using it, a walk-in power bath could be the solution. 

These baths are designed specifically for those with mobility issues, which means the ease of getting in and out of them is paramount. 

There are various walk-in baths featuring powered seats that can allow you to enjoy a soak in the tub without any concern about getting in or out of the bath. The door in the side of the bath will allow you to step into and out of it comfortably. 

You won’t need to climb over the side of the bath tub, which can be challenging if not impossible with restricted mobility. Once in the bath, the powered seat can lower you into the water – and lift you out of it when you’re ready to get out of the tub. 

Easy-access showers

In some bathrooms, there isn’t space for a full-sized bathtub. In these instances, a shower is a better option. But even showers can present a trip hazard if the tray is not designed with an older person in mind. 

Easy-access showers are designed to minimise the height of the shower tray and have an anti-slip surface to help you feel safe walking in and out. They also come with shower seats, enabling you to shower even if you can’t stand unassisted for long periods. 

Comfort height toilets

Not all toilets are easy to sit on – or to get up from if you have restricted mobility. Comfort height toilets are designed to reduce the distance required to sit or stand, making it easier to both get on and off the toilet.