More and more people opt to make their bathrooms more handicapped-accessible or handicap-friendly from earlier than later in life. However, just because your restroom has a disabled bathroom layout doesn’t mean it must be clinical. A wide range of contemporary fixtures and fittings may be used to enhance freedom and safety while still looking good.
There are several benefits to having an occupational therapist analyse your present and future health requirements. However, provide you with straightforward guidance on specialised fixtures and equipment that can improve your bathroom’s comfort and freedom for you. So, the following are some of the best strategies to ensure that bathing is a safe experience for you now and in the years ahead.
Install a Level Access Shower
As the name suggests, level access showers don’t have a lip or step before the actual bathing area. So that people of all ages and abilities can take a shower without tripping over themselves. So it’s appropriate for everyone, including youngsters, the elderly, and individuals in wheelchairs.
So, if you want to make your restroom safer, this is the best thing you can do. To make showering more straightforward, it provides a self-contained room in which you may shower. And to prevent water from dripping into other places, you may instal full-height shower screens. Caregiver assistance may be readily provided, or the screens can be frosted for complete privacy, depending on the individual’s needs.
Install Grab Rails in Strategic Spots
When it comes to making your bathroom more accessible for the disabled, grab rails are the next best thing you can do. This is because they provide you with something to hold onto when showering, preventing accidents and injury. Furthermore, they are fast and straightforward to set up.
Most grab rails are constructed of stainless steel or are durable plastic moulded. So, it is possible to place them next to the toilet, in the shower, or on and near the bathtub. This offers you a place to hang on to if you need balance or perform any complicated moves. They may also be used to assist with moving onto the toilet or bath/shower board.
Anti-Slip Floor Tiles or Mats
The additional protection that slip-resistant flooring provides is essential if you have a shower with a low threshold. And for your safety, a disabled bathroom layout has a slip-resistant floor. So, if you take a shower or bath frequently, you may want to consider investing in some good anti-slip mats.
Mats that aren’t securely attached might be just as dangerous as those that aren’t there at all. And when the mat surface is ribbed or spotted, thick rubber nearly always has an excellent grip. Tripping hazards may be avoided by using thicker mats, reducing the risk of corners turning up.
Use Stools, Boards, and Benches
If you’re able to stand, a walk-in shower may make it simpler to bathe, but you may still find it difficult to stand for long periods if you have a disability. As such, it might be exhausting to take a hot shower. A wet room or walk-in shower is no longer a safe choice for someone with balance concerns. But, stools and chairs may help with it.
Sitting on a shower stool is considerably more convenient and pleasant than on the floor. Their feet include full suction pads to hold them in place, and they’re constructed of reinforced plastic. They allow water to drain away by having slats or allowing it to flow through.
Alternatively, you may have a wall-mounted seat that lowers and folds. This way, the shower may be used by anyone who needs it. Small shower stools or a bath/shower board that fits on top of the tub may also be used if you still have a bathtub.
