Bathrooms for Disabled People
The days when bathrooms for the disabled were clinical and sterile environments have long since gone and now they can be as funky and stylish as any standard ones, whilst still affording easy access.
The most challenging problem, from the point of view of bathing, is obviously a profound physical disability, where the user may require a hoist to get into and out of the bath. A bath fitted with a seat that rises and lowers, to facilitate easy access and egress, might offer another solution. Whilst these features will assist the disabled person, able-bodied people living in the house may find them to be utilitarian and uninviting rather than luxurious and welcoming.
The answer may be to have a standard bath, which is free standing, but deep enough to accommodate a hoist, or even a whirlpool bath for hydrotherapy. Either option will accommodate the disabled person, whilst also allowing able-bodied users the opportunity to bathe in a conventional and attractive environment.
The day-to-day bathing requirements for a disabled person can also be satisfied by installing a shower fitted with a level entrance point and perhaps ramped drainage. This can be a standard shower unit, with just some slight modifications to the plumbing.
In order to allow a wheelchair user easy access, wash hand basins will need to have sufficient knee room under them.
With some careful thought and planning, a bathroom for use by both the disabled and able-bodied can be successfully installed without it having to cost a fortune.