If you have a disabled relative, or if you yourself struggle with mobility, then using the bathroom may be much more of a challenge than it would have been in the past. With this being the case, you are sure to want to start thinking about things that you can change about your bathroom in order to make it more accessible. The great news is that there are lots of things that you can change, and this means that you are able to create a bathroom that can be used by all – including those with limited mobility. We have put together a list of tips that will help you to adapt the space that you have available.
Think about moving a wheelchair around the room
Moving around in a wheelchair can take up a lot more space than it can to move around on foot, and for this reason it is important that there is enough space available in the bathroom for a wheelchair to get around. This includes access to every inch of the bathroom, including sinks, showers and any kind of laundry basket. If a senior has to stretch at all in order to reach something, then this could greatly increase the risk of injury, so should be avoided at all costs.
Adapt your sink to allow a wheelchair user to get close to it
If you are in a wheelchair, it can be almost impossible to get close enough to a sink to be able to use it effectively. It can help to have your sink adapted so that the chair can take you underneath the sink, meaning that the bowl is right up close to your body. This means that it will be a lot easier to use the sink, and also that it is less likely that water will be spilled on the floor, so this can help to avoid the danger of slipping when moving around the bathroom. Along a similar theme, it’s important to remember that everyone’s mobility issues will be different. For example, if an individual isn’t wheelchair bound, but often struggles to bend down, then making the sink a little higher could be a useful step to take.
Change your flooring to avoid slips
Although tiles are incredibly popular for use in bathrooms, this can be dangerous, as they can become very slippery. Even if you’re careful not to spill any water while you’re using the bathroom, there is still the risk of condensation forming after taking a hot shower, and this can be an issue no matter whether you’re using the bathroom on foot, or whether you’re in a wheelchair. It can be easier – and more dangerous – for elderly and disabled people to slip, so you should think about either changing the type of flooring that you have in your bathroom, or adding some kind of anti-slip coating. Both of these things would help, and it would give the individual more confidence that they were sturdy on their own feet, which would improve their quality of life a lot.
When it comes to bathrooms, there are two things that are important to think about. Firstly, the bathroom should be easy to use, no matter what kind of disability or physical impairment the individual using it might have. Second, it should anticipate any kind of issues that could occur regarding safety, and put solutions into place. It’s always much better to think about the issues that could occur in advance, as seniors could be badly injured if something is overlooked. There is no doubt that an accessible bathroom is an excellent investment with regards to improving safety and quality of life.
We are the experts so why not let us transform your bathroom into a room that is both stylish and practical. Take a look at our Handicap Accessible Bathrooms here and here for our Westminster Wet-rooms .