Most of us have a friend or relative that suffers from one kind of disability, or another. Perhaps it is through arthritis or stroke. Maybe they are permanent wheelchair users. Whatever their disability is, using the bathroom is a major obstacle. It is also a dangerous place, if there are not sufficient adaptations and aids present.
Adapting your bathroom can be expensive and involve construction work. However, there are steps most of us can take that are feasible and won’t break the bank, and that will give any visitor to our home a little extra help.
How many people do you know that have simple bathroom aids fitted as standard just in case they are needed? Not many. Perhaps there is a lesson for all of us here to think a little more considerately when designing our bathrooms.
In this article, we will take a look at some things you can do for your disabled guest.
Toilet
Climbing on and off a toilet can be difficult for a wheelchair user or even someone who has difficulty just lowering themselves down. Toilets are often too low for people with reduced mobility. You could have your toilet raised by some sort of plinth, buy a higher toilet, or use an elevated toilet seat. The latter need not be a permanent fixture. It can be fetched out of the cupboard when your visitor arrives.
There are also rails that fix to the wall that protrude either side of the toilet to ais someone when lowering themselves down or trying to stand. These rails are designed to fold away when needed so a wheelchair user can access the toilet.
Bath
Baths can be deadly for a weaker person. They may not be strong or mobile enough to catch themselves if they slip. A portable step can be kept that a disabled person uses to help them into the bath. Combine this with a floor to ceiling pole to steady, and a rail on the wall to hold once over the lip of the bath. Always remember to use a good quality non-slip bathmat. Use a bathtub board for seating, or a bath lift which can now be purchased for less than two hundred pounds.
Floor
Slippy floors are a danger to all of us, but to the elderly and disabled they can be a danger to life. They simply cannot protect themselves as they fall. Non-slip safety flooring such as altro flooring selection amongst many others on the market is a product you may wish to consider. It will give you peace of mind and make your disabled friend feel safer in your home.
Alternatively, use non-slip floor mats that are not as effective as the flooring, but are better than nothing.
Shower
Use a non slip mat in your shower cubicle. There is also a range of adjustable shower stools available that aid safety and comfort.
As you can see from the above suggestions, small adaptations to your bathroom need not cost the earth but can make our friend’s and family’s lives easier when they visit. Of course there are bigger projects you can take on such a widening the bathroom door for access, or fitting a walk in bath. These are the more costly projects though, and only you can decide how far you will go with your project and how much you can afford. There are grants and funding available, but those are usually only for the home of the disabled person.
Fitting aids for the disabled and elderly is a good investment too. We aren’t getting any younger you know.
Photo Credit lucasfoxbcn
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