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It is called
many things: "universal design",
"accessible design" and now "aging in
place" design, but no matter what we call it the
concepts have been the same - allowing people to live in
their homes longer by modifications to existing conditions to
overcome the decreased mobility, dexterity and strength as a
person ages. Below we show three levels of
modification to the increase usability of your
bathroom.
Level
One
Level
Two
Level
Three
Aging in place is about lengthening independence, it's about
making modifications and choosing specific products that will
allow a person to choose to live longer in their home rather than
an institution. Grab bars installed in a shower or bathtub are
just the beginning of what can be done to overcome the challenges
we will all face as we age.
Resale
Value
One concern that we hear a lot is that these changes will effect
the resale value of our home when we need to sell it. It's a
valid concern to talk about and consider, but it must be tempered
with reality. Some things to consider:
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Consider ranking in
order of importance to you: living independently, safety,
quality of life and resale value.
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As the population
ages, aging in place design will become more of the norm of what
you will see in homes and homes with it already in place will be
more desirable than those without.
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Anything remodeled
and changed today can be remodeled and changed back
tomorrow.
Choosing your
level of Change
When someone contacts us about remodeling
a bathroom to help with independence, we try to understand that
persons expectations. While there is a standard list of changes
that would create the ultimate accessible bathroom and allow the
longest possible time to remain independent in the home before
needing to enter a nursing home, not everyone has the same
expectations of what or how much they want to change their home.
To assist with the decisions we've developed three levels of
changes, each one more robust and more accommodating. They are
standardized in what they are designed to accomplish, but there
is nothing wrong with picking and choosing from each level to
create your own personal design to best accommodate your personal
circumstances.
Level
One
  
Adding grab bars in shower or bath
tub.
Falling is a very
serious health problem:
Usually falls have more than one cause. For example, someone who
slips or falls on a slippery floor may have weak leg muscles and
be experiencing dizziness as a side effect of
medication.
- One in three seniors fall each
year.
- Ninety per cent (90%) of broken hips in
seniors are a result of a fall.
- By the age of 75, falls are the major
cause of fatal injuries.
- Forty per cent (40%) of admissions to
nursing homes are related to falls.
Changing fixtures to lever
handled
 
Lever
handles on all faucets, showers and bathtubs will make them
easier to turn and grip.
Thermostatic or anti-scald
and pressure balanced controls for all
valves.
Old valves
without anti-scald protection are
dangerous. New
valves protect the user.
 Call
1-888-981-2284
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Top
Level Two
All of level one
PLUS
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Replacing
the toilet with a comfort height model.
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Adding
grab bars to toilet
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Slip
resistant flooring
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Removing
bathtub and converting to shower
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Adding
additional lighting
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Rocker or
touch light switches
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Lever type
door handles
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Cabinets
with pulls instead of knobs
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Raised
vanity Countertop height at a comfortable level that eliminates
bending over
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Adding an
adjustable height shower head
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Replace the
toilet with a comfort height model.
Standard
toilets are low to the floor, new comfort height toilets are
designed so the bowl is on average 3 inches higher off the floor
which makes it easier to stand up after use.
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Adding grab
bars to toilet
Grab bars
and rails installed near the bathroom toilet will help avoid injury by providing safety,
additional support and balance when sitting, standing or
transferring from a wheelchair or walker.
(more
information)
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Slip
resistant flooring
Tile
flooring is not all the same. Slip resistant flooring keeps
everybody safe and everybody on their feet, it is not just for
the frail, it is for everyone. All tile ha a rating to tell you
how slip resistant it is when it is wet. Choosing tile flooring
with a heavy texture ensures an anti-slip surface.
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Converting
the bathtub to a shower
You can do a
traditional bathtub to shower conversion or there are also
special shower pans designed to retrofit bathtubs at a reduced
cost. They fit the 60" wide footprint of a standard sized
bathtub, and have a drain located at one end so plumbing costs
can be minimized.
(more information)
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Additional
lighting
Additional lighting is an important aspect of
safety. Waterproof lights in the bathing areas and extra lighting
in the rest of the bathroom will be a welcome addition. Good
lighting helps everybody see better, not just those with weak eye
sight.
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Rocker
Switches
Rocker
switches are easier to turn on, they can be turned on with elbows
or closed hands.
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Lever Door
Handles
Lever
type door handles are wonderful for people with poor hand
strength, but everyone likes them, they are convenient for
everyone, especially when your hands are full.
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Cabinet
Handles
Knobs are
harder to grip and open drawers and cabinet door than handles
are. Replace old knobs with handles or choose all handles for new
cabinets.
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Raise Vanity
Height
Older
vanities could have counter tops as low as 28 inches off the
floor. Choosing vanities that will allow your finished counter
top heights to be 36 inches off the floor will help avoid having
to stoop over to use the sink.
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Adjustable
Height Shower Head
Adjustable shower heads on rails, allow you to
raise and lower the shower head, and bring the shower head to the
person instead of the person to the shower head.
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Call
1-888-981-2284
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Top
Level
Three
- Wall support and provision for
adjustable and/or varied height counters and removable base
cabinets
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- Contrasting color edge border at
countertops
- At
least one wheelchair maneuverable bath on main level with 60-inch
turning radius or acceptable T-turn space and 36-inch by 36-inch
or 30-inch by 48-inch clear space
- Bracing in walls around tub, shower, shower seat and toilet
for installation of grab bars to support 250 - 300
pounds
- If
stand-up shower is used in main bath, it is curb less and minimum
of 36 inches wide
- Bathtub - an accessible model.
- Fold
down seat in the shower
- Enlarged door ways.
- Adjustable/ handheld showerheads, 6-foot
hose
- Tub/Shower controls offset from
center
- Shower stall with built-in antibacterial
protection
- Light in shower stall
- Toilet 2 ½ inches higher than standard toilet (17 to 19
inches) or height-adjustable
- Design of the toilet paper holder allows rolls to be changed
with one hand
- Wall-hung sink with knee space and panel to protect user from
pipes
- Slip-resistant flooring in bathroom and
shower
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- There needs to be 32 inches of clear
width, which requires a 36-inch door
- Levered door
hardware
- Telephone and intercom system by the
toilet
Roll in showers
that allow a wheelchair user to bathe without transferring
to a shower seat. Although the user must first transfer from a
wheelchair to a rolling shower chair, it is often easier than
transferring inside more restrictive shower enclosures. Some
shower chair designs require an assistant
Electronic
motion-sensing faucets for convenience
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