How To Build An Accessible Bathroom

As we age, many of us will find ourselves in need of improved bathroom accessibility. Accessible bathrooms can dramatically enhance the quality of life of homeowners and their loved ones living with mobility restrictions due to aging, disability, or physical injury. Let’s face it: traditional bathroom fixtures are typically not designed to accommodate these specific, but crucial needs. Fortunately, there are many innovative solutions that allow residents to customize their bath fixtures so they’re more supportive of various mobility limitations. Which bathroom activities need to be augmented for improved accessibility and safety? Does my household generally prefer bathing or showering? Do I need stabilizing features, like grab bars or built-in seating, and if so, where should they be positioned to maximize convenience and safety? Do one or more cohabitants need quick, easy access to vital medical supplies or equipment? Do I need to plan further accessibility modifications to address future changes to the physical condition or capacity of those I live with? The answers to these questions will allow you to proceed to the planning phase with a more thorough idea of your remodel’s scope and cost, but your homework doesn’t stop there.

Next, it’s time to examine the individual components of your bathroom to determine if they need to be upgraded or replaced. Although a rolling shower seat may be helpful for some, this solution likely won’t suffice for a majority of those who use wheelchairs or walkers. A curbless or zero-barrier shower is more ideal; with this design, the threshold of the shower base remains level with the floor and slopes towards the drain. In addition, an extra-wide opening allows ample room for maneuvering within your shower. For those who prefer a bath to a shower, walk-in tubs can provide the ideal solution. The sink should be wall-mounted with no cabinet underneath in order to provide open knee space for wheelchair users. Single-handle faucets also provide an added degree of operational convenience, but you could also install a motion sensor that will turn your water on and off automatically. Choose a sturdy, low vanity that can be used as a bracing surface for maneuvering or balancing.

Extra-long or adjustable mirrors can be installed at a lower height, as should drawers and open shelving units that stage various toiletries, medications, and cleaning supplies. Higher toilet seats are easiest for wheelchair users to transfer to and from, but we recommend opting for a toilet wall-mounted at a custom height. A bidet can provide a convenient, albeit costly, alternative, if you’re looking to create a truly hands-free routine. For maximum safety, grab bars should be placed at strategic points on the toilet’s surrounding walls. Don’t overlook lighting as a vital safety-enhancing feature. Although natural light is preferred, depending on the location and layout of your space, it may not be sufficient. Coverage should be even and minimize shadows as much as possible. We recommend installing large, easily operable light switches low on the wall, or motion detectors for an automated lighting scheme. Any bathroom remodeling project, particularly one undertaken to improve accessibility, is going to be quite a major undertaking.

If your bathroom’s layout is poorly designed to begin with, consider reorganizing the floor plan by removing partitions and/or reconfiguring plumbing and electrical components. Each fixture should have ample, useable space around it (ideally, at least 30 x 48 inches of free space) to ensure comfortable turning and clearance for a wheelchair. You should also account for whether you or a loved one needs the help of a personal care attendant. Doorways need to be at least 34 inches wide to accommodate wheelchair access. Pocket doors are a smart option for maximizing usable space, as are doors that swing outward, instead of into the room. Your doors can also be outfitted with lever-style handles to promote easier operation. There are many lifts on the market today that can assist with transfers in the bathroom, including hydraulic chair lifts, sling-type lifts, rolling transfer benches, and more. As with any bathroom, electrical outlets should be grounded, and the maximum hot water temperature should be lowered to prevent scalding or burns. Also, be wary of bath mats, as these can bunch easily and suddenly create a tripping hazard. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Why Should You Use a Microfiber Flat Mop? Home ImprovementWhether you are mopping larger areas or smaller ones, not to mention, microfiber technology provides several advantages over the traditional mop materials. Though new compared to other cleaning materials, microfiber is such an innovation in the cleaning field that makes a difference in your capability of cleaning. Home ImprovementTadelakt is a plaster surface which is waterproof and is used in Moroccan architecture to make the exterior and interior walls, baths, sinks, roofs, ceilings, and even floors. This is made of rammed, polished and treated lime plaster. You can find Tadelakt in different shades as this can be tinted. Must-Know Waste Management Methods: Collection and Disposal!

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