How to Design an Accessible Shower
When designing a bathtub for someone in his or her golden years, remember this person may have poor vision, mobility or balance. A caregiver or partner might require room to aid with the bathing process, thus a shower space ought to be generously sized and include space to go into with an excess person, a wheelchair or a walker.
That said, an accessible shower doesn’t should lack in fashion, as these examples show. Being proactive on your next shower renovation means that you may include some or all these features, even before you need them. It’s far better to be prepared for accessibility than need to scramble to reestablish when the need arrives.
Here are some things to consider when planning a shower for seniors.
Harrell Remodeling, Inc..
This shower has been created and built by Harrell Remoldeling. The projects of this team always depended, and this really is a gem. See the placement of the grab bars in the bathroom — very well thought out.
If you reside in a warmer climate, you might not need a shower door or shower curtain at all. Designing the space as a real wet room — with the whole bathroom floor for a shower pan — makes entry into the shower effortless and provides lots of space to get a caregiver.
Hint: When planning a moist room, consider a wall-hung toilet. This toilet makes building the wet room much easier, as it doesn’t send waste through the ground’s waterproofing system. You can even put a wall-hung toilet in a greater position, which makes getting on and off it much easier.
HOUSEworks Design/Build General Contractor
When it has to do with a shower’s footprint or dimensions, bigger is always better for seniors. This superb shower features an oversize door that makes entering the shower space quite easy.
Hint: Place the shower control valves close to the entry so that you don’t need to get moist when starting the shower and letting it warm up.
Installing large-format tile can create a pleasant, flat surface for a removable shower feces or shower seat. This shower also comprises a handheld spray wand to generate bathing easier.
Hint: Unless you’re building in a shower seat from the very start, contemplate a one-way incline on your shower floor (like in this photo), so the shower’s seat or stool doesn’t rock when it is sat on. Often showers using a standard single-point drain have multiple slopes, and also a four-legged stool will stone on these types of flooring.
BY DESIGN Builders
This bathroom was designed and built by By Design Builders, which given an LED drain light so the client can continue to keep their bearings when the shower steams up. If you are afflicted with a vision disability, consider one of these LED light kits and linear shower drains.
Hint: make sure that your bathroom is safely lit at night. Also consider installing nightlights to clearly light the hallway between the bedroom and the bathroom.
Standard Bathroom Accessories
Stepping into a normal soaker tub can be tough to do for anyone, but it is more manageable if the space into the tub is reduced using a step and there are grab bars.
If your shower or bath is dim and you need a little extra light, one or two of these LED grab bars from Elio might be just what you need. They could switch on and off and glow with a nice white light.
Hint: It’s not uncommon for someone to slide while getting on or off the toilet, or in or out of the tub. If a pull-chain safety monitor switch cannot be installed near, consider a wireless device that could be worn as a necklace.
If your home is connected to a monitored home alarm system, consider installing a panic button at the shower. Many could be switched out to a version with a pull string.
Hint: When someone falls, occasionally they can not get up, so create the button or pull string reachable from a prone position.
If a bathtub curb absolutely has to be installed, make sure it’s as low as possible. At 5 to 7 1/2 inches high, traditional shower curbs can be hard to step over for those with poor vision or mobility. This shower curb is just under 2 inches, allowing easier accessibility.
Hint: Consider custom grab bars to get a shower’s glass entry door. These grab bars have a hammered finish, which makes them easier to grip with soapy hands. I like installing a grab bar right at the entry of the shower and close to the shower market, so bathers can secure themselves when entering and leaving the shower, and when reaching for the shampoo bottle.