How To Make Showering Safer For Seniors & Disabled Individuals
Most people take showers every day. It’s just what we do to feel clean and perhaps start (or end) the day right. But for many seniors and disabled individuals, showering or bathing is a task that can be difficult and potentially dangerous. The good news is that there are ADA compliant roll-in showers that decrease the chance of slips and falls and that increase the ease in which this necessary task is completed.
Roll-in showers
Ideal for those with limited mobility or even confined to a wheelchair, roll-in showers have a floor that is level with the rest of the bathroom and a minimal threshold to keep water inside the shower. This allows a wheelchair to access a shower easier and prevents water from leaking onto the floor and thereby solving another problem. Once in the roll-in shower, the person being bathed can transfer to the seat or remain in their shower wheelchair. The space of the shower is large enough to accommodate the mobility aid and may also have room for a caregiver.
Roll-in shower features
In addition to the flat floors and rim that keeps water in that we already mentioned, other features of a roll-in shower include:
A folding or wall-mounted shower seat
Grab bars installed on every wall
Adjustable height shower heads
Shelves
Can regular wheelchairs go in the shower?
For showering in a wheelchair, we highly recommend purchasing one that is specifically designed for this function. Typically, a shower wheelchair is water and rust proof and may have a commode option to make cleaning sensitive areas easier. Power and manual wheelchairs risk damage if used in showers.
Choosing a roll-in shower
While it might seem as simple as hiring a contractor to install a roll-in shower, there are considerations you’ll need to – well consider.
Does your current bathroom have enough room for a roll-in shower?
Does the roll-in shower you selected have a drain in the proper position?
How big is your shower wheelchair and will it fit the model you want?
Will anyone else be using the shower (you’ll need to accommodate for their needs as well)?
Installing a roll-in shower
Installing a roll-in shower may be a large home improvement project and should only be tackled by an experienced contractor. If you’re searching for a general contractor in Mountain Brook, Hoover, or elsewhere in the Greater Birmingham metro area to help you create a safer bathing experience for yourself or a loved one, please reach out to Serve One Construction.
In business for more than 10 years, our locally owned and operated home improvement company offers aging in place services that include the installation of ADA compliant roll-in showers, widening doorways, and installing ramps as well as other home modification projects. To get started, simply contact us to schedule a free on-site consultation!
