The masonry and plumbing professionals at https://www.smartremodelingllc.com/ give you several keys to adapt a bathroom for people with mobility problems (such as our elders)
Several people carried out the adaptation of bathrooms for the elderly without resources in a volunteer day that resulted from the most rewarding and recommended experiences imaginable. And once we were able to talk with these people who will enjoy them from now on, they told us about the difficulties that a standard and current installation offers them and the risks of significant injuries if they are not adapted to their needs.
That is why today I give you some clues so that you consider it when doing the handicap bathroom remodeling if you have people with mobility problems at home:
- It is recommended that the bathroom door be sliding or always open outwards. To avoid that, if the user suffers a fall into the bathroom, it may be prevented from opening the door.
- They must have the floor made of non-slip material and free space of at least 150cm in diameter, which allows a wheelchair to turn 360º inside the bathroom.
- The remodeling contractors Houston show you how to adapt a bathroom to the needs of our elderly or people with mobility difficulties.
- Next to the sanitary fixtures, non-slip support bars should be installed. If the walls or the tiling were weak for this, it would be necessary to reinforce the walls to hold them properly.
- All bathroom accessories (soap dish, towel rack, etc.) must be installed at the height of no more than 120cm.
- The sink must not have a pedestal or lower furniture that prevents a wheelchair from approaching its edge. It must go at the height of 80cm.
- Conveniently, the taps be of the lever type, pressure, or some other system that does not need to turn the wrist for its operation.
- The mirror will be installed at the height of 100cm from the ground and with an angle of inclination of 10º concerning the vertical.
- The toilet must be at the height of 50cm from the ground level. If the standard appliance is of a lower height, it can be solved by placing it on a platform on-site that is as close to the shape of the toilet base so as not to interfere with the approach to it.
- An elevator lift can help our seniors- The toilet seats must be well-secured and in perfect condition. Since not being the case, the risk of falls considerably increases.
The shower is more practical, comfortable, and safe than the tub. The receptacle should not have edges that impede the approach of a wheelchair, and it is enough with a drop of 1.5 cm and a slope of 2% towards the drain to prevent water from running through the rest of the bathroom.
Support bars must be installed at 85cm horizontally and up to 140cm vertically. The shower must incorporate a seat, fixed and folding (ideally 45 x 45 cm and 50 cm high) or movable (any plastic garden chair could be helpful).
You see that these are some small and significant bathroom changes that will significantly reduce the risk of injuries, falls, and other problems in people who already have their visit to the toilet complicated enough.
It is very worth considering which of these measures are convenient for our elders to make life easier. And believe me, they will thank you with all their hearts.