When designing a bathroom for a person with disabilities or the elderly, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the range of products specifically designed for such individuals. More and more manufacturers of bathroom fittings are also paying attention to the needs of people with disabilities. The simplest convenience will be the installed grab bars in the shower or around the bathtub, which can be done individually without incurring significant costs. Installing special equipment and bathroom accessories may be somewhat more complicated, but it is becoming increasingly easier to find those designed specifically for people with disabilities that are essential for a bathroom for people with disabilities.
How to Design a Bathroom for a Person with Disabilities?
The proper design of a bathroom for people with disabilities depends, to some extent, on the type of disability and the degree of independence of the individual. A bathroom looks somewhat different for individuals in wheelchairs compared to those whose existing mobility restrictions still allow them to walk independently. When considering this, it should be remembered that it must be not only comfortable but also safe. It would be good if it allowed a certain level of independent use of its various components.
Special attention should be paid to the width of the doors and the height of the threshold; for someone in a wheelchair, it is best to choose to forego the threshold. This solution is also convenient for older individuals with mobility issues, as it ensures a relative freedom of movement in their own homes. It is also worth paying attention to how a bathroom for the disabled should look; a room equipped with specialized accessories should also simply be aesthetically pleasing.
Equipment for a Bathroom for the Disabled
When designing a bathroom for a person with disabilities, one must ensure not only the placement of appropriate fixtures but also that they are installed at the correct height. It cannot be forgotten that the tiles or panels located on the floor must be made of a material with high anti-slip properties. This is particularly important for individuals with disabilities who walk with their own strength, as an accidental slip on a wet floor can have serious consequences.
A very important element of the equipment for such a bathroom is various types of wall-mounted grab bars installed at a convenient height. When planning a bathroom for a person with disabilities, it is also important that it is easy to keep clean. Therefore, an excellent solution would be a wall-hung toilet or bidet and a sink mounted on a wall frame. Investing in a wall-mounted faucet ensures high user comfort and also gives the bathroom an elegant look.
This Will Definitely Work in a Bathroom for the Disabled
If you are planning to arrange a bathroom where people with disabilities will feel comfortable, you need to supplement it with elements that are hard to find in a traditionally arranged bathroom. Regardless of whether the future user is in a wheelchair or walks independently to some extent, it is worth ensuring maximum safety during hygiene activities. An excellent example of solutions adapted to the needs of a person with disabilities is a foldable shower seat. If we add to that a walk-in shower, which has no threshold and is entered at the floor level, we will get an ideal solution for older individuals as well.
It is equally important to have adequate toilets for people with disabilities; grab bars should be located on both sides, and the comfortable seat should be appropriately wide. A good solution is a toilet bowl supplemented with a washing function. As for sinks, there are sinks on the market designed so that they include a special cutout allowing a person in a wheelchair easy access to the faucet.
Check What Subsidy Is Available for the Renovation of a Bathroom for a Person with Disabilities
A bathroom adapted to the needs of a person with disabilities is often a task that requires significant financial outlays. Especially if you want to arrange a bathroom for people with disabilities in an existing building. Remodeling in private homes often requires widening door openings, removing thresholds in the room, and of course installing appropriate equipment, starting from grab bars to specialized bathtubs. It is often also linked to the necessity of replacing tiles, installing another heating method, as well as replacing water supply and sewage connections.
Fortunately, a person with disabilities is entitled to a subsidy for adapting the bathroom to their needs. This is one of the types of tasks funded by the county, resulting from the assumptions of social policy. A bathroom adapted to the needs of a person with disabilities must, of course, comply with the building regulations in force in Poland. Under the subsidy, funds can be received for the renovation of the bathroom, including, among other things, the replacement of a bathtub with a shower, the purchase of a bathtub with a door, and the purchase and installation of grab bars and handholds; this also includes an appropriate sink, shower cabin, and even ceramic tiles adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. Applications for subsidy must be submitted to Municipal Social Assistance Centers, Municipal Family Assistance Centers, and County Family Assistance Centers. The amount depends on how large the budget of a given center is and how many disabled individuals are seeking assistance.
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