Making Bathrooms Safe – Top 3 Disabled Bathing Solutions

Making sure a disabled loved one remains safe in the bathroom while retaining the ability to bathe independently and with dignity can be a tremendous challenge. There are three solutions that can help families tackle safety concerns head on while ensuring a person with mobility concern can enjoy the freedom desired to attend to personal hygiene needs.

If there’s a need to upgrade a bathroom to enhance accessibility and safety for a disabled person, these solutions may be ideal:

·         A walk in tub – Walk in tubs are recommended by healthcare providers in homes where disabilities are a concern. These tubs are also fast becoming popular in homes by owner choice simply because they remove major safety concerns in the bathroom. This style of tub is designed to eliminate the 20-inch step over traditional tubs have. In doing so, they eliminate one of the biggest hazard points in a bathroom. Consumers will find walk-in tubs, with their swing in or out doors, can be purchased to complete replace a traditional tub. Smaller models are also available for use in retrofitting rooms that have plumbing, but aren’t used for bathrooms currently. In addition, conversion kits can be used to transform any traditional tub into a walk in design.

·         Barrier free showers – Offering similar benefits as the walk in tub, this type of shower retrofit is meant to eliminate the step over in a shower that does not include a tub. These designs sit as close to the floor as possible to make it safer and easier for people with disabilities to gain access to the tub. A shower seat and grab bars are also common when these designs. Seats and grab bars add extra safety elements in the shower, making the bathing experience less perilous for those who cannot stand for long periods of time or at all.

·         Safety seats – Adding seating to a tub or shower that is designed for water use and slip resistance may also help those who are concerned about accidents in the bathroom enjoy a more relaxing experience.

Creating a safer bathroom experience for a disabled person may only require a few targeted upgrades. Walk in tubs, barrier free showers and simple safety upgrades can help those who are unsteady on their feet enjoy a safer, more independent experience in the bathroom.