Designing an accessible bathroom is not always smooth sailing, especially if the senior in your life is reluctant to remodel their bathroom. However, installing an accessible bathroom within your or your relative’s home can be important to keep them safe and independent. Then, here are some of the challenges you might face when designing an accessible bathroom and how you can overcome them.
When you are trying to create an accessible bathroom for your loved one, it is vital that you do not buy any old equipment. Instead, it is important that you find the tools that will help your loved one manage the individual problems they are facing. You should also look around for high-quality equipment from a reliable brand. This equipment should be long-lasting, and you might even research the latest trends before investing in fixtures for your new bathroom. Luckily, the best accessible bathroom equipment is never far from you. You might be able to purchase this online to boost your relative’s quality of life.
Just because your bathroom is now accessible, this does not mean that it cannot be well-designed and look stylish. Your loved one is likely to resent the bathroom in question if it is too clinical and makes them feel as if they are in a hospital or nursing home. This means that you should try to make this bathroom as cosy and comfortable as you can while still ensuring that your loved one can use it without the risk of injury. For instance, you might choose bright paint colours and dazzling tiles for the walls, and you might place ornaments that can create a recognisable theme for your bathroom, such as making it nautical. It might also be possible to select chic fixtures, such as brass taps, that can add sophistication to this space.
Before you commit to designing an accessible bathroom, though, you need to make sure you have the available funds to make your dreams come true. Accessible bathroom equipment can be pricey due to its specialist nature, and you might need to spend thousands of pounds on your remodel. To get the funds that you need, you might consider taking out a loan, splitting the costs across a few months by using a ‘buy now, pay later’ service or getting a loan from the government or a non-profit organisation.
Accessible bathrooms often require more space than others, especially if they need to be wheelchair friendly. This means you should check that your bathroom meets the minimum dimension requirements before you start looking into adaptations. Otherwise, you might need to move your bathroom to a different room or take a wall down to create more space. You might be able to convert smaller bathrooms by investing in adjustable sinks, using vertical storage or making smaller adjustments to the room, such as installing handrails to help your relative to get around.