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For those of us who have elderly or disabled relatives living with us, it is imperative to ensure that the right equipment is in place to help meet their requirements. From living quarters to bathroom layout and style, no detail is too small or inconsequential to be considered. Perhaps most important is the choice of shower door and enclosure, as these selections need to assist the user but also help them to maintain their independence. There are a modern range of enclosures and shower doors available to this end, offering different designs and styles all at affordable prices.
Bathroom Remodel Required
If the disability is a result of a sudden accident, or the relative in question has recently moved in with you, a bathroom remodel may well be required. Fortunately, due to the modernization of bathroom fittings it is easier today to maintain an attractive area without compromising functionality. Wet rooms, walk in baths and half height shower enclosures are the most common options when remodeling your suite, with all now built and manufactured in a range of eye pleasing styles. The half height shower enclosures, for example, are often built with glass panels rather than plastic to help maintain their aesthetic appeal. They also boast half height glass doors to help maintain easy access for the user.
Another revolution in bathroom remodeling comes in the form of barrier free corner units shower stalls. These are, to all intents and purposes, open plan shower areas with a built in ramp ideal for wheelchair access. These options are modern, 3 or 4 unit shower stalls, and due to the complexity of design cost on average between $1,000 and $1,600. In terms of their function, they offer the most effective way to ensure your relatives safety and comfort in the home. Due to their barrier free nature, they are without a shower door, and instead boast sturdy grab rails and a simple, snap in place seat for the user. It is also pertinent to note that these designs due not lend themselves to the use of a shower curtain, and so privacy must be ensured at the discretion of the householders.
Further Points for Consideration
Other accessories that require consideration when remodeling your bathroom suite are shower curtains and rails. Grab rails are an essential piece of kit when adapting your bathroom, and need to be both rigid and strategically placed in the suite. Most rails are chrome plated to avoid rust and also to fit with the majority of bathroom suites available, but there are rails available in a range of different colors. They are often easy to attach and are the essential fitting to help preserve the users independence, as they are able to use these to aid their mobility around the suite.
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) provide basic, minimum guideline requirements for the installation of disability shower stalls, both in public and private spaces. Whilst the minimum standards must be met to ensure safety, developing your suite beyond this will help ensure higher levels of comfort, luxury and independent use. It is a useful reference point for anyone attempting a bathroom remodel or design for this purpose, and will provide guidelines on maneuverable space, requirements for shower doors and enclosures, and also information on the installation of grab rails and their locality with regards to the design.