If you’re suffering from mobility issues or a disability, washing can become an onerous and scary chore, with many traditional showers not offering the accessibility or functions required for those with restricted movement. Today, there are a number of solutions to increase the accessibility of your bathroom, including installing a walk-in shower. In this post, we take a closer look at five of the key safety features and advantages of installing your very own walk-in shower:
Shower Tray
One of the most important and earliest decisions you will need to make when planning a walk-in shower is selecting a shower tray. Shower trays for walk-in showers can be a standard shower bases but are typically designed or customised for use by elderly or disabled people. The surface of the base will be anti-slip to prevent accidents. Modern drainage now permits installation of trays with ultra-low thresholds of just over an inch (2.5cm) to reduce the risk of trips or falls.
Easy Controls
Most walk-in showers come with easy thermostatic controls that are placed well within reach of the user. Look for “cool touch” that will also help to prevent scalding. When installing a walk-in shower, it’s worth considering lever handles that are easy to adjust, push and operate when wet, as opposed to a slippery knob that you may find difficult to grasp. Walk-in shower controls are specifically designed to suit those with mobility issues or disabilities.
Grab Rail
Installing a grab rail to your walk-in shower is a great way of providing stability for shower users and they are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Able to support a person weighing up to 250 pounds, (roughly 18 stone). Usually, grab rails are installed at an angle in conjunction with a fold- down shower seat. Speak with your contractor to find the best solution for your needs.
Shower Seat
As mentioned, a shower seat is fairly common in a walk-in shower and is capable of providing a variety of functions for users; taking a rest, safer than standing or often so users can wash their feet or even cut their toenails. While some seats are just a stool, generally we would recommend a fold-down seat that can be folded away neatly when not in use. Take care to ensure that the controls are placed within reach to the side of the user with the seat in the position more commonly used for the taps / valve controls. This enables the user to control the flow and temperature easily while seated.
Safe Flooring
Soap and water means it is near on impossible to find flooring that is completely slip-proof, however you will definitely need to use slip-resistant flooring in your bathroom outside the shower. We recommended using vinyl safety flooring that comes in many colours. Explore the possibilities here.
At Life Quality Bathing, you can choose from a range of fully tailored walk-in showers and easy-access mobility shower options. We specialise in the design and installation of customised and fully accessible walk-in shower suites throughout the country. We pride ourselves on the high standard of our work and are proud to put customer safety at the forefront of everything we do. Contact our expert team today.
