As we grow old or face mobility issues, simple tasks such as showering can become a real hassle and risk. However, with well thought-out bathroom designs and smart shower choices bathing can be comfortable, convenient and safe. Showers are supposed to serve as a therapeutic refreshing experience while also helping preserve independence and dignity. By following this comprehensive guide you’ll find out essential shower design elements to meet the senior’s needs and for handicapped accessible spaces as well.
How the Right Features Can Enhance Safety, Independence and Comfort
The proper shower configuration allows the elderly and disabled to bathe securely and easily through features like:
- Grab bars and rails enabling stability entering, exiting and during showering.
- Seats allowing bathing while sitting, saving energy and preventing falls.
- Adjustable/removable sprayers suiting varied needs and abilities.
- Non-slip floors minimizing slips and trips.
- Temperature regulation prevents accidental scalding.
- Bright lighting illuminating the shower hazards.
With strategic design choices, showers can be tailored to meet mobility challenges.
Useful Shower Features for the Elderly and Disabled
Credits: Jaquar
Non-Slip Flooring
Safety starts with offering secure footing via:
- Textured tile flooring with grip patterns or pebbled finish.
- Installing gripping non-slip adhesive floor strips.
- Using anti-slip rubber mats inside the shower stall.
- Applying non-slip paints to shower basin flooring.
Prevent dangerous slips that could cause severe injuries.
Strategically Placed Grab Bars and Handrails
Grab bars allow stability entering, moving in, and exiting the shower:
- Install bars vertically, horizontally and diagonally.
- Place bars near doors and along access routes into the shower.
- Use angled bars for assistance turning around within the enclosure.
- Select strong weight-bearing bars with ergonomic comfortable grips.
Strategic grab bars prevent hazardous falls.
Walk-In Showers and Curbless Designs
Step-over shower lips present tripping hazards. Curbless showers with no barriers allow easy wheeled access:
- Open access walk-in showers eliminate any lips or edges.
- Curbless designs work well with roll-in and transfer showers.
- Ramped entries also permit access without impediments.
- Frameless glass doors maximize entry width.
Barrier-free shower access reduces fall risks.
Adjustable and Handheld Showerheads
Credits: Jaquar
Adjustable showerheads accommodate limited mobility:
- Handheld sprayers allow directing water flow anywhere needed.
- Adjustable slide bars allow raising or lowering to suitable heights.
- Multi-function heads provide options from gentle mist to massaging jets.
- Long hoses enable reaching all areas comfortably.
Flexible adjustable showerheads support varied physical needs.
Seating Options
Seating provides rest breaks, saves energy and prevents falls:
- Built-in shower benches offer safe stable supportive seating.
- Waterproof portable chairs add temporary resting spots.
- Fold-down teak seats tuck discreetly out of the way when not needed.
- Swivel seats allow rotating once seated inside the enclosure.
Seating enables showering while sitting.
Thermostatic Controls
Mixer valves prevent unsafe hot water temperatures by:
- Allowing temperature adjustment to a safe mild setting.
- Maintaining stable temperatures that don't fluctuate unexpectedly.
- Quick shut-off stops flow if temperatures spike suddenly.
- Indicator lights visually show when water is dangerously hot.
Thermostatic controls prevent accidental scalding and burns.
Adequate Lighting and Visibility
Sufficient illumination prevents slips and falls by:
- Installing overhead ceiling lights.
- Using extra fixtures over steps and changes in floor height.
- Adding a nightlight to safely illuminate entering at night.
- Ensuring light fixtures have secure covers to avoid broken glass hazards.
Proper lighting removes visually obscuring shadows and glare.
Options for Non-Slip Bathtub and Shower Floors
Credits: Jaquar
Select surfaces providing secure wet footing:
Textured Tiles – Use safely grippy textures like pebble, mosaic or ridge tiles.
Etching – Chemically etch glass or porcelain surfaces to create grip texture.
Mats – Choose rubber-backed anti-slip mats to place inside the enclosure.
Paint Additives – Mix gritty anti-slip additives into tub and tile paints.
Applique Tapes – Adhere durable slip-resistant tape strips to floors.
Diamond Decking – Special non-slip polymer coatings with crushed glass grip particles.
Carefully research and test potential solutions to prevent falls.
Strategies for Properly Installed Grab Bars
Correct grab bar installation maximizes helpfulness:
- Professionally measure and map ideal placements following safety guidelines. Don’t just place randomly.
- Select appropriate bar lengths to properly span required assistance areas.
- Allow 1-1/2” space between bar and wall for easy grasping of full bar circumference.
- Place stop screws at bar ends to prevent hazardous sliding of hands off bar ends.
Meticulous planning and execution provides reliable stability.
Options for Transferring In and Out of Showers
Solutions to safely assist mobility in/out of showers:
Transfer Benches – Portable or built-in benches at tub edge facilitate sliding transfer.
Power Lifts – Mechanized seats raise users to standing height for wheelchair transfers.
Railed Steps – Provide stable handhold transferring over shower lips.
Raised Floors – Bring shower floor level up to match existing bathroom flooring.
Roll-In Showers – Curbless entry on wheeled shower chairs or stand-up wheelchairs.
Focus on safe, dignified methods for maneuvering in and out.
Specialized Grab Bars for Balance and Support
Credits: Jaquar
Bar choices for specific types of assistance:
Vertical Bars – Provide stabilization entering and exiting the enclosure.
L-Shaped Bars – Secure cornering and changing directions maneuvers.
Overhead Bars – Aid in standing up from and lowering down to seats.
Backrest Bars – Support leaning back while seated without falling.
Diagonal Bars – Help with rotating or transferring on a swivel seat.
Select and place bars strategically for specialized support needs.
Factors in Choosing Ideal Shower Seats
Assess user factors and shower layout when selecting seats:
- Height and dimensions provide a proper comfortable fit.
- Weight capacity accommodating users with a safe buffer.
- Flipping up versus permanent built-in depending on space.
- Mounting position aligned properly with grab bars.
- Drainage slopes that won't allow pooled slipping hazards on the seat.
- Straight, corner or L-shape based on shower layout.
- Ease transferring onto a seat from wheelchairs or walkers.
The right seat provides safe resting assistance.
Adjustable Showerheads For Limited Mobility
Helpful features for those with mobility limitations:
- Easily adjustable arm brackets allowing positioning spray anywhere needed.
- Extra-long hose extensions that reach all areas without straining.
- Lightweight handhelds with comfortable grip handles.
- Pause-control valves to temporarily stop water flow.
- Easily rotating ball joint connections to optimize directional aim.
- Filtered settings providing gentle full coverage spray.
Look for ergonomic handheld showerheads with adjustable mounts.
How Thermostatic Valves Improve Shower Safety
Credits: Jaquar
Thermostatic valves prevent accidental scalding by:
- Maintaining consistent temperature even if other fixtures are turned on.
- Limiting maximum temperature to prevent settings that are too hot.
- Automatic shutoff if hot water supply suddenly increases.
- Temperature indicators detecting and warning of excessive heat.
- Fast-reaction valves shutting down flow when dangerous high temperatures are sensed.
Temperature regulation provides protection and peace of mind.
Lighting Design Considerations for Accessible Bathrooms
Lighting accommodates age and disability related vision changes through:
- Extra-bright overhead lighting eliminates dark areas.
- Motion-triggered night lights to illuminate entries and transfers.
- Footlight pathways guiding routes between stations.
- Contrasting colored fixtures to distinguish items.
- Backlit touchscreen controls.
- Reduced glare finishes.
- Grab bars with LED handrail lighting.
Thoughtfully designed lighting provides safe assisted navigation.
Maintenance and Safety Tips for Existing Grab Bars
Credits: Jaquar
Keep grab bars fully functional and hazard-free:
- Test bars regularly by applying downward force to confirm stability.
- Inspect daily for any loosening around brackets or wall plates.
- Check screws and flanges to ensure they remain tightly attached.
- Assess signs of damage, corrosion, cracks and watch for sharp edges.
- Use gaskets or caulking to seal gaps where bars meet tile.
- Periodically clean scale buildup and treat bars with corrosion inhibitors.
Proactive grab bar checks prevent failures and injuries.
How Fold Out Shower Seats Increase Accessibility
Credits: Jaquar
Helpful features of flip down shower seats:
- Discreetly tuck away against the wall when not needed.
- Available in multiple sizes to suit users.
- Often constructed durable and comfortable teak wood.
- Built-in support legs or solid wall brackets provide stability when extended.
- Ideal for those who only periodically need seating assistance.
- Allows flexibility using shower standing or sitting.
Flip down seats optimize space while offering periodic resting spots.
Design Elements for an Accessible Roll-In Shower
Components facilitating easy wheelchair roll-in access:
- Open curbless entry without lip or threshold.
- Out-swinging shallow threshold shower door for clearance.
- Ample 60-inch diameter interior.
- Several grab bars to assist transfers and maneuvering.
- Built-in corner seat with adjacent grab bar for assistance standing.
- Adjustable height hand shower head.
- Knee space under the vanity sink for wheeling up.
Conclusion
Independent safe showering is vital for maintaining the health, hygiene and dignity of the elderly and disabled. Though once simple routines can become difficult, the right equipment modifications and design features can remove obstacles and hazards. Grab bars provide stability, seats allow resting, curbless entries ease access, adjustable heads target sore areas and thermostatic valves maintain ideal temperatures. With thoughtful selection of senior and handicap friendly shower components, bathing can remain soothing, refreshing and safe regardless of age or mobility challenges. The ability to bathe oneself is a daily necessity for living life fully.
Customize your accessible shower with Jaquar.