A standard bathroom, no matter the size or style of the home, can pose challenges for people with disabilities. The way it’s designed, the dimensions, and the layout of the fixtures can make it difficult for someone who may be limited in their movement or might need assistance with their day-to-day activities.

If you have a disabled loved one, you know that providing them with a safe and accessible home is a top priority. With that in mind, here are some practical tips and home solutions to help make your bathroom accessible for the disabled.

Make Your Bathroom Easier to Access

One of the first priorities when creating a home for a disabled person is making the bathroom easier to access. This may mean installing a rail or a wall-mounted grab bar, widening the doorways, removing obstacles in the bathroom, or installing a temporary ramp. Making your bathroom easier to access will make it easier for your disabled loved one to get in and out of the shower, toilet, or bathtub unassisted. It will also make it easier for you to assist them when they need help. If your disabled loved one is unable to lift themselves onto the toilet or other bathroom surfaces, a wall-mounted grab bar will allow you to assist them from a distance.

Make Your Washroom Accessible

Washrooms are often overlooked when it comes to making a bathroom more accessible for disabled people. However, these spaces also need to be considered since they can often be used for toileting. If your home includes a standard-sized washroom, you will want to consider installing grab bars. This will allow your disabled loved one to support their weight and not have to place much of it on the walls. If the washroom is smaller than standard, you may want to consider installing a bench or low toilet instead of a wall-mounted one. This will make it easier for your loved ones to lower themselves onto the toilet.

Install Grab Bars in Your Bathroom

Bathroom grab bars are often overlooked as home solutions for the disabled, but they can be extremely helpful. Various kinds of grab bars are available, such as wall-mounted, freestanding, or over the toilet. Grab bars can be installed on the walls, beside the toilet, or as an overhang to make the toilet accessible for those who are seated or standing. While grab bars may not offer complete access to a bathroom, they can make it easier for your disabled loved one to use the washroom. They can also make it safer if your loved one requires assistance from you. Grab bars are especially important if your loved one is seated or is using a wheelchair. This can make it more difficult for your loved ones to support their weight and balance.

Install a Roll-In Shower for Your Bath

If you have a disabled loved one, you know how important it is to allow them to participate in daily activities such as bathing and showering. However, these activities can be challenging and depending on your loved one’s abilities, and they may require assistance. Walking or standing in the shower can be difficult or even dangerous if they are limited in their movement or have balance issues. A roll-in shower can solve this issue. These showers are typically low to the ground and allow a person to lower themselves into the tub or shower. They can also stand up or sit in the shower if they have the strength to do so.

Install a U-Turn Shower for your Shower

A standard shower can be a challenge to access for people with limited mobility. The shower enclosure, the walls, and the floor can be slippery. It can also be hard for them to stay upright if the bathtub is too high. This can be especially challenging for those who are seated or are using a wheelchair.

A U-turn shower will allow your loved one to get into the shower without requiring help from you or other family members. They can do so on their own and will not have to stand up or balance themselves. This can provide your loved ones with the freedom to wash without help from others. In addition, it can make bath time more comfortable because the water won’t be too hot or too cold.

Add a Platform to Your Toilet

If your loved one has limited mobility, they may need to use a wheelchair or walker to get in and out of their bathroom. This means that they will need an accessible toilet. However, most toilets are not easy to roll onto. Since they are not designed to be rolled onto, they can be difficult to access. If your loved one is unable to roll themselves onto the toilet due to balance issues or limited movement, an accessible toilet platform can solve this problem.

The platform will allow your loved one to be positioned directly above the toilet without needing to roll onto the toilet. This is safer for your loved ones, as they won’t need to balance themselves.

Conclusion

The bathroom can be challenging for people with disabilities, especially if there are no grab bars installed or the washroom is smaller than standard. These issues can make the washroom unsafe and difficult to use. There are a few simple ways you can make your bathroom safer and easier to use for the disabled. These include installing grab bars, adding a roll-in shower, installing a U-turn shower, and installing a platform on your toilet. These home solutions will allow your loved ones to use the washroom regardless of their mobility issues safely.

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