Installing a mobility bathroom in your home can make bathing and showering simple and enjoyable again, but what you should your considerations be when choosing the bathroom?
Mobility bathrooms have become common here in the UK, with installations more accessible and affordable than ever before. They enable those who struggle with aspects of mobility to be able to fully utilise their bathrooms, bathing and enjoying vital privacy and independence which many of us take for granted.
However, given the amount of choice now available in the market for mobility bathrooms, it’s important to take time to consider some of the key aspects of the installation.
Allow us to explain some of the key considerations when choosing a mobility bathroom.
Choosing A Reputable Company
This is true of any home improvement works, but if you’re making an investment that is as significant and important as that of a mobility bathroom, then you need to make sure you’re employing a reputable company.
There is a lot that can go wrong with any bathroom fit, from badly sealed wet rooms to badly-installed grips, handles and appliances. Therefore, your first consideration should be about the companies you invite in to your home to provide a quotation or to advise you. Do your research, ask for testimonials and request to see trade certificates.
Design Considerations
You may have a firm idea of the type of mobility bathroom that you want installing prior to speaking with any professional company. However, there are so many design considerations to keep in mind, that the sooner you speak to a company who specialise in these adaptions the better.
One of the first questions you may be asked is whether you wish to go for a full wet room, or whether you prefer just a more accessible bathroom at this point? Hand rails and more accessible friendly toilets and showers can be fitted, but even that may be jumping the gun a little.
If the primary use of the bathroom is confined to a wheelchair, you will need to establish whether the bathroom adaptions you have in mind will allow enough room for the wheelchair to move freely in the bathroom?
Will you need to perform more considerable renovations to extend the bathroom, or are you working with an already defined space (e.g. existing bathroom?). You may also be considering converting an existing downstairs room in to a mobility bathroom.
Fixtures & Fittings
Once the initial design work is done, it will be time to look more specifically at the fixtures and fittings within a bathroom. For example, the shower area is an important area to focus on. Will a wheelchair need to be wheeled all the way in, or will the user transfer to a seat in the shower?
Should this seat need to be lowered or spun around to face a different way? If there is no requirement for a seat, then in which positions should handrails be installed?
Additional Practicalities
Beyond the design issues we have mentioned, and the potential for quite a bespoke bathroom set-up, you need to think about the daily practicalities of the mobility bathroom.
For example, is the user going to be drying themselves after a wash, bath or shower? If so, do you need a special towel rail to make this easier, or will you install a body drier in the corner of the bathroom?
Also, think about the cleaning of the bathroom. Who will do it? How often? Do they have any mobility issues?
Water Temperature & Other Safety Measures
It may be necessary for you to install a controlled thermostat on to the shower units in the mobility bathroom to prevent the user from burning themselves on hot water.
Also, think about what happens if the user slips, falls or has an accident in there. Do they have a cord to pull in the event of an emergency? What costs are involved with this and what is the process that will be followed should this be used?
These are just some of the top line considerations that you should be aware of if you’re installing a mobility bathroom. We’ve barely scratched the surface here, and every single installation will be different and have a bespoke set of requirements.
We Can Help
If you would like to discuss your requirements in more detail, or to set up a consultation, why not speak to a member of our experienced team today. You can call us direct on 0151 525 3610 or alternatively, you can always fill out our simple-to-use enquiry form here and one of our friendly team will call you back at a convenient time.