Want to make your bathroom more accessible?
Here’s a quick overview of the most important things that you need to know:
Should You Invest in Making Your Bathroom More Accessible?
Let’s be real:
Bathroom remodels are expensive…
And accessible bathroom remodels even more so. Why?
Because accessibility features cost more than regular features. So why spend all that money to make your bathroom more accessible?
It might make sense if someone in your household is struggling with limited mobility due to an injury, an illness, a disability, or simply old age.
In those circumstances, using the toilet and maintaining personal hygiene can become not just challenging but also risky due to all the tripping hazards in regular bathrooms.
Remodeling your bathroom with accessibility in mind can make that person’s life easier, reduce their need for assistance, and foster independence.
As for safety, there’s no way to completely eliminate risk, but various accessibility features can significantly reduce it!
Walk-In Tubs vs. Walk-In Showers vs. Roll-In Showers: Which Option is the Right Choice for You?
The single most effective way to make your bathroom more accessible is to install a walk-in tub, a walk-in shower, or a roll-in shower.
Walk-In Tubs
The main difference between a regular tub and a walk-in tub is that the latter has a door on the side.
That door makes it much easier to get in and out of the tub and significantly reduces tripping risk.
Beyond that, walk-in tubs vary in their design, so you can choose the model that best suits the needs of the person with limited mobility.
For example, most walk-in tubs have built-in seating. This can be helpful for people who have difficulty getting up from a lying position because it enables them to take a bath while seated.
However, some walk-in tubs don’t have this feature, which may be preferable to those who would like to lie down as one would in a regular bathtub.
You can also choose a model that has grab rails, which will make getting up easier and safer.
Walk-in tubs can be a great option for people with low to moderate mobility limitations, meaning those who will be able to get in and get out of the tub unassisted or with minimal assistance.
Walk-In Showers
The main difference between a regular shower and a walk-in shower is that the latter either has a very low curb or no curb at all.
That makes it easier for people with limited mobility to get in and out of the shower, especially if they are using a walker.
It’s worth noting that shower curbs are one of the major bathroom tripping hazards, so installing a curbless walk-in shower can significantly reduce tripping risk.
Additionally, you can make your walk-in shower even more accessible by using slip-resistant tiles or shower base, adding built-in shower seating, and installing grabrails.
Also, if the person with limited mobility needs assistance while showering, you can install a special shower door designed to keep the bathing assistant dry.
Walk-in showers can be a great option for people with severe mobility limitations, especially for those who are unable to get in and out of a bathtub or a shower unassisted.
Roll-In Showers
Roll-in showers are similar to walk-in showers, just wider because they are designed to accommodate a wheelchair. Typically, they also have a built-in shower bench, as well as some grabrails.
If the person with limited mobility is using a wheelchair and is unable to transfer themselves from that wheelchair into a tub or a shower unassisted, it might make sense to install a roll-in shower in your bathroom.
What Else can You do to Make Your Bathroom More Accessible?
Here are some additional ideas for making your bathroom more accessible to the person with limited mobility:
- Sliding door. Walker and wheelchair users might find it difficult to open and close regular doors, so you might want to consider replacing your bathroom door with a sliding door.
- Wide door. Standard bathroom door is 28 inches in width, though some are a little bit narrower, while others are a little bit wider. Meanwhile, a door needs to be a minimum of 32 inches in width to accommodate most wheelchairs. Of course, you also need to take into consideration the type of wheelchair the person with limited mobility is using because some wheelchairs require an even wider door!
- Easy-to-reach light switches. Wheelchair users often can’t reach standard light switches. Placing light switches at a height of 40 inches is considered optimal for usability, though in some cases you might need to place them lower than that.
- Slip-resistant tiles. You can significantly reduce slipping risk by replacing regular bathroom tiles with slip-resistant ones.
- Raised toilet seat with grabrails. If the person with limited mobility finds it difficult to get up from a seated position unassisted, it might make sense to install a raised toilet seat with grabrails.
- Wash and dry toilet. Wash and dry toilets are a combination of a toilet, a bidet, and a dryer. Installing one in your bathroom can make it easier for the person with limited mobility to use the toilet independently and maintain good personal hygiene.
- Wall grab rails. Adding grabrails to the walls of your bathroom can make it easier for the person with limited mobility to move around the space independently.
- Height-adjustable sink. If the person with limited mobility cannot comfortably reach a regular sink, consider replacing it with a height-adjustable one. This will make their life easier without inconveniencing the other members of the household since everyone will be able to simply adjust the sink as they see fit.
Genie Bath Systems: We Can Help You Make Your Bathroom More Accessible!
Accessible bathroom remodels is one of our areas of expertise.
We know that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution — everyone has different accessibility needs, space constraints, and financial resources.
That’s why each accessible bathroom remodel that we do is custom-tailored for that particular household.
So don’t hesitate to reach out to us and book a free consultation. We will discuss your situation, take time to understand your needs, and give you a quote for your project!
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