Bathrooms

The objective in modifying the bathroom is for safety and ease of use. Modifications suggested below are universal and are designed for all users. As you will see fairly large rooms are needed for a fully accessible bathroom. A remodeling project of this magnitude may require moving existing walls to expand bathroom size.

General

Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees, or less to prevent

scalding or install an anti-scald device for your tub/shower and vanity sink.

Have grab bars installed throughout your the bathroom especially in the shower/tub and commode area. Grab bars come in a variety of colors and styles to match the decor in your bathroom. Companies manufacture fold-down grab bars that fold up and out of the way when not in use.

Have swing-clear hinges installed to improve door opening space by 1-1/2'', or a new 36'' wide door. Pocket doors are very helpful in saving space, are user friendly, and also come in 36'' wide. If a pocket door is not an option you can change the door swing direction to swing out rather than into the bathroom.

Have a new closet/storage area with shelving built for all your bathroom washcloths, towels and supplies.

Vanity

Have a new single handle or motion-activated faucet installed.

Have a sitting area built with knee space under counter.

Relocate medicine cabinets so all occupants can easily reach them.

Have a open-style vanity installed with clear knee space underneath for seated and/or wheelchair users. Make sure the plumbing is protected with heat-resident material to prevent burns. Under-counter cabinets with drawers or pull-out shelves can be located to the side.

A slight downward tilt on vanity mirror increases visiability and usage for those in a seated position.

Provide clear area of 5' x 5' in front of vanity for walker/wheelchair maneuvering.

Commode

Have a new 18'' high ADA commode installed. Toilet seats that are 3'' to 4'' thick are also available to raise seated area.

Provide clear area around and in front (5' x 5') of commode for maneuvering.

Have grab bars installed - this is a good place for the fold-down grab bars for those with coordination and balance problems.

Bath / Shower

Have offset controls moved near the outside of tub/shower to eliminate reaching and bending.

Have a shower wand installed on a sliding bar with adjustable height and a long hose for easier accessibility. It's recommended that a grab bar with adjustable height shower wand holder be used since some of the slide bars do not meet the ADA codes for weight baring.

Have a sliding transfer seat installed on existing tub.

Have a tub with access door installed.

Bathtubs are dangerous to nearly everyone especially elderly and those with balance and coordination problems. The problem is mostly due to the wet slippery surface of bathtubs, which can and should be removed and replaced with a 0-step entry shower. It's recommended to have 5' x 5' 0-step (roll-in; walk-in) shower because it allows plenty of maneuvering. space for wheelchair users. A minimum of 36'' x 60'' space is required. Water drainage is a big consideration and should be discussed with the contractor. Colored, textured ceramic tile with decorative accents can be used in coordination with colored grab bars for a nice looking design that is safe and usable for everyone.