People with disabilities or limited mobility need specialized bathroom fixtures.
Careful planning of a bathroom for someone with a disability helps him to live independently and maintain his strength by keeping his muscles active. It also makes the job of a caretaker easier. Although the exact design of a bathroom for a disabled person depends on his particular requirements, certain basic elements should not be overlooked. The primary aim is to make the bathroom as safe and secure as it can possibly be, both for the disabled individual and any caretaker who may be assisting them.
Instructions
1. Install horizontal grab bars within easy reach of the toilet and the bath tub and within the shower area. Install a vertical grab bar inside the bathing area. Never install diagonal grab bars, as the hand can slide down them and lead to a fall.
2. Build countertops at a height of 30 to 34 inches for a wheelchair user, or 40 inches for someone who finds it difficult to bend down. Leave open space underneath the sink to accommodate a wheelchair or a bench.
3. Elevate an existing toilet to a height of at least 20 inches. Purchase a removable or permanently fixed, raised toilet seat from a supply company. Hire a plumber to raise a toilet permanently by placing it on a wooden platform created to fit the base of the toilet bowl. Hang a wall-hung toilet to the wall at the desired height if you do not have an existing toilet. Ensure that there is enough room around the toilet to maneuver a wheelchair.
4. Install a bathing bench inside the bath tub. The bench should be 2 to 4 inches smaller than the width of the tub to prevent damage to the tub walls.
5. Fit door handles and bath fixtures that are designed for users with reduced hand coordination and grip.
6. Widen the door entrance to 32 to 36 inches.
7. Install nonslip flooring on the entire bathroom floor surface. Check that the surface is easy to move across in a wheelchair.
8. Remove all unnecessary clutter, extension cords and items on the bathroom floor, to make it easier for someone with a disability to use the room.
9. Lower light switches and adjust light sources according to the individual's specific needs.
10. Hang a mirror lengthwise behind the sink rather than at standing eye level.
Tags: bathroom floor, existing toilet, , someone with, someone with disability,