I have been writing about Universal Design features over the last few days. I am trying to decide if a few renovations would give us the option of staying here a little longer. Please join me as I look through the house, and share any thoughts you might have. Today I am going to look at the bathrooms to decide if they can be salvaged. Our split level house is modern enough to have two bathrooms. One bathroom has a tub and the other a built in shower stall, but that is pretty much where the convenience ends. The only thing universal about the design is that the rooms are so small that you probably wouldn’t hurt yourself if you lost your balance.
Even a small universally designed bathroom calls for an open space and a little elbow room between appliances. The rooms really should be a little larger than the once standard 5 by 7 cubicle. Ideally the bathroom should be large enough to maneuver a wheelchair or walker in it, but that may be a pipe dream. However, pocket doors or at least a door that swings out instead of into the room would create extra space.
Our old shower stall has a 5 ½ inch curb. This would not be good if you had to use a wheelchair or walker. It is pretty obvious that the present stall would have to be replaced. The new cubicle would have either a very low curb or no curb at all. Experts also recommend a hand-held shower head, a built in bench or a folding seat in the stall. I have never been overly enthused about hand-held showers heads, but some of the newer models are exceptionally useful and even border on luxurious. There should be room in that new cubicle for integrated soap compartments, and strategically placed grab bars to make the shower a safe place to wash. I like really hot water but can see where that this could be dangerous. There are special valves available to regulate the water temperature and that would be perfect. I like the ideas of non-skid flooring too. I have seen bathmats and towels used on bathroom floors that were downright scary.
Our second bathroom has a standard tub and shower curtain arrangement. It is okay for us because we use it mostly to collect laundry, but if you like a good soak you will want something more convenient. I have never have liked the idea of a slippery bath tub. A few decals and a shower curtain are not my idea of safety features. Personally I would like one of those Jacuzzi style walk-in tubs, which are expensive but not as expensive as a broken hip.
Our vanities are big and they have sharp edges. Vanities and sinks can be customized these days to maximize comfort, convenience and accessibility. I’ve seen pictures of sinks that will fit into a tiny bathroom and hardly take any space at all. One had a small counter space and towel racks integrated right into it. I also saw a small table sink with leg room for seated users. The right height, compact size, easy to use lever handles, good lighting, and grab bars everywhere could make any space more accessible. The main problem would be lack of a 5 foot turning radius for a wheel chair, but I have seen wheel chairs that can maneuver on a dime.
What about the toilet? Portable raised toilet seats are really ugly and not terribly stable. Manufacturers now offer chair height toilets (2-3 inches taller than standard) in a wide range of styles and colors. Higher toilet seats are easier on the knees and better for wheel chair transfers. I am excited about all of the options available, and I am looking forward to shopping for space saving appliances and built-ins. What to you think? Can these postage sized bathrooms be saved?
The Bathroom - A First Step In Independent Living
Yes, there are the commonly used higher toilet seats which make getting on and off the commode easier. There are also other types of products for stand assist help from the commode. There is the Curve Grab Bar and the PT Rail. The Curve grab bar pivots every 45 degrees and can lay flat against the wall, the PT Rail can also fold up against the wall when not in use and for cleaning. These are used for support and to assist when getting up from the commode or sitting down. Some seniors might not like the look of the high toilet seats and don't want their bathroom turned into a mini nursing home - it may be embarrassing for them they want their home to look as normal as possible. Search for other products that look less institutional but still get the job done. These other types of products can fold out of the way so that when guests use the bathroom, they won't have to use a high toilet seat that may be attached to the commode.
Posted by: Donna A Menner | November 12, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Independent Living - Bathroom Flooring
The most important thing to do in the bathroom of a senior is to take up the bathroom bath mats and throw rugs. There are a lot of hard surfaces in the bathroom that can do real damage if an elderly person falls into them.
My 89 year old mother recently got her feet tangled up in the bathroom throw rug and fell against the bathtub, fracturing 7 ribs, thank God she didn't hit her head. The fractured ribs were extremely painful and she was put in the hospital for a couple of days on morphine. It is best to put down a very flat rug either wall to wall or an area type rug that covers most of the floor and is very flat and held down securely by a double sided tape underneath or some other product that will keep the area rug from slipping - no shaggy or thick rugs. You don't want to leave the tile floor bare because that could become slippery if wet.
Posted by: Donna A Menner | November 12, 2011 at 12:23 PM