Poor sight or memory in the bathroom

RNIB gives the example of a dark blue seat on a white bowl¹, and the NHS also advises a contrasting seat³. The test is to stand at the door in the usual light and see whether the seat, the bowl and the floor read as three separate things. In a mostly white room they merge. Pocklington Trust's guide suggests at least 20 points of difference in light reflectance value between surfaces, 30 preferred, lit to 200 lux or more, and not relying on colour alone⁴.

RNIB advises grab rails that stand out and flooring that contrasts with the walls¹. Here a red band marks where floor meets wall, so the edges of the room are plain to see, and the rails show against the wall instead of blending into it. At home, check whether a white rail on white tiles disappears in poor light. A person with poor sight has to find the rail before they can use it. Position and fixing are separate questions: see where grab rails go.

Contrast is not only for the big fixtures. RNIB says basins and toilet seats should contrast with their surroundings, and so should soap and toilet rolls¹; Alzheimer's Society suggests contrasting towels, roll holders and seats². Here the white bowl stands out from the dark surface. Look at your own: white soap on a white shelf, a white towel on a white rail. Changing a towel or a soap bottle is the easiest change on this page.

Alzheimer's Society suggests a sign with a picture of a toilet and the word², and the NHS suggests the sign slightly lower than normal³. The card here has the picture but no words, so add them if the person reads. Leave the door open if the person likes that, and leave a light on or use a motion sensor at night². Take away a bin or storage that could be mistaken for a toilet². The night lighting page covers the light.