Upgrading to
new fixtures built with accessibility in mind can cost less than
you might think. Upgrading helps maintain independent living for
the elderly, and is a wise investment for any home, given that
anyone can experience temporary disabilities, such as surgery or
broken bones.
Try these helpful ideas to create a bathroom that will look
great and work wonderfully for you and your loved ones well into
the future.
* Switch to an ADA-compliant faucet. Some faucet handles require
a surprising amount of force to operate, and knobs can be
difficult to twist for seniors. Instead, try an ADA-compliant
single lever faucet that allows for easy on-and-off operation
without the need to grip. This faucet style, which complies with
the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
also has an adjustable hot limit safety stop that helps reduce
scalding. This simple and inexpensive alteration will make
washing up more comfortable for elderly parents and
grandparents, and is also a great excuse to perk up the look of
your bathroom.
* Try a taller toilet. Standard toilets have a bowl height of
about 15 inches, but many manufacturers have recently introduced
models that are an inch and a half higher. These taller commodes
make sitting down and getting back up less stressful on the
body. Bring high style and performance as well as comfort to
your bathroom by upgrading to a luxury toilet. Porcher offers
several elegant "Right Height" toilets in sleek, easy to clean,
one-piece styles.
* Think about accessible storage. Keep bathing and grooming
accessories neatly stowed out of the way to reduce trips and
falls, and to keep them clear of wheelchairs. Accessibility and
functionality are essential when planning for convenient storage
options in the bathroom.
* Make it easy on the eyes. High-gloss paints and tiles can
produce an uncomfortable glare, so introduce matte finishes for
better visibility. Choosing wall and floor colors or patterns
that contrast is another great way to increase visual perception
of space and help older adults feel more confident as they move
about the room.
* Replace an unused bathtub with a walk-in shower. Holding on to
the ability to bathe independently is key to aging gracefully
and with dignity. The ubiquitous tub/shower unit in so many
homes may be uncomfortably high for the elderly and disabled to
step over, and too low to sit down into for bathing. American
Standard has a unique low-cost solution with its walk-in seated
shower that features a wide, contoured, full-sized seating area
with recessed front to make standing or sitting while showering
comfortable and easy. This unit has a low 3-inch threshold for
easy access in and out, plus a built-in wrap-around grab bar for
added safety.
