5 Top Tips for Bathroom Adaptations

A home bathroom adaptation no longer needs to look and feel like a disabled bathroom. Many people still think that a bathroom adaptation will look like a hospital or care home bathroom.
At Disability Needs we have an excellent range of equipment that is stylish but designed to meet the needs of your client and their family.
Here’s our top 5 tips that we believe should be included in all bathroom adaptations within the home.

1) Wet Room

An easy-access Wet Room is generally the most convenient solution among our disabled and elderly clients, offering a safe and accessible shower.

If space is at a premium for example if a bathroom needs to be installed on the ground floor, a Wet Room is a great option to help maximise space for wheelchair users. It is paramount that a floor former is used as part of the Wet Room installation to ensure the water easily and quickly drains away.

Clinical Benefits:
– Practical
– Easy access for user and carer
– Cost effective solution
– Future proof

2) Height Adjustable Wash Hand Basin

A height adjustable wash hand basin is a versatile piece of equipment that can be adjusted for wheelchair users and ambulant users. There are many activities that take place by a wash basin such as hand washing, teeth brushing, shaving and hair washing. Including a flexible wash basin allows users to manage these activities independently.

We also have a range of height adjustable wash hand basins that come complete with a mirror and , which all simultaneously move as per the user’s requirements.

Clinical Benefits
– Increased independence for daily tasks
– Allow wheelchair users to get closer to basin
– Can be used to help future proof the bathroom for when the user may require additional assistance.

3) Automatic Toilet

An Automatic Toilet is perfect for those who wish to maintain independence and retain privacy in the bathroom. Combines all the functions of a conventional WC and bidet with the comfort of warm-air drying.

Offering total control with the highest hygiene standards, the wash and dry cycle can be easily
activated through the push button control panel, by remote control or hands free sensor.

Clinical Benefits
– Can be individually programmed for up to 4 users.
– Fully Adjustable to suit the user: Water pressure, temperature, spray arm position and height
– Ideal for side transfer and able to withstand high impact
– Touch-free activation.

4) Sliding Doors

Doors can prove to be difficult for people when adjusting to life in a wheelchair and can often be over looked when it comes to bathroom adaptations. A sliding door is a great solution when floor space may be limited on either side of the door to allow for easy movement between spaces.

Clinical Benefits
– Trip free access
– Easy to operate
– More space for wheelchair users
– Can be designed to allow hoist access.

5) Correct Installation

The very best products will be undermined and will become pointless to the end user if they are not positioned or installed correctly. The design, equipment, dimensions and installation all need to work seamlessly in order to create the best possible solution for the client and their families.

Disability Needs have over 20 years of manufacturing, design, supply and installation experience of fitting domestic bathroom adaptations and are regarded as the leading experts across Ireland.

If you need advice regarding products, design or installation please get in touch with the team via 028 9074 5333 or email andrew@disabilityneeds.com.