[Califanna]

I am revamping my bathroom to accomodate my needs in the chair. It has been a long time in coming. I was wondering in making my bathroom accessible for a manual and electric chair what should I keep in mind. I am making the door into the bathroom swinging, so I don't have to try and close it. I am putting a raised toilet (Toto) with the washlet feature attached. I am installing a roll-in shower. Two sinks that secure to the wall with two front legs that are 30 inches apart and an area under neath and on both sides to hang towels. Next I was thinking about installing a cabinet to house all my medical supplies...you know caths etc... Any thoughts on the bathroom would be really helpful. Also if you know of any sites where I could find some cool stuff for the bathroom send along too.
Anna

[russ1]

try this thread

[Apparelyzed]

Here are a few points to consider:

Consider the range of motion of the person you are designing for. Range of motion is ones ability to reach or bend based on their joint movement. This includes forward reach, upward reach, downward reach and side-to-side reach.

If a person has limited reach ability it can affect how someone is able to perform the following tasks:

• Getting medications from an overhead cabinet
• Turning faucets off and on in a bathtub
• Plugging in electrical items
• Turning lights off and on
• Closing and opening windows

If the person cannot bend, this can affect basic household tasks such as:

• Sweeping the floor
• Getting frequently used items from under the counter shelves
• Opening upper and lower cabinet doors or drawers
• Picking up items off the floor
• Cleaning the bathtub or shower area

Items that are most used should be convenient for people with limited range. People who use a wheelchair can be challenged by countertops that are too high, or drawers that are too low. When designing make sure that items are easily accessible. Note: There is an independent living aid called a “reacher” that can assist a person in reaching up or down.

Manual dexterity is a person's ability to do daily tasks with their hands easily. This can include the following:

• Opening a door or cabinet
• Turning off and on a faucet
• Locking a window
• Plugging in or unplugging an electrical cord
• Opening medicine containers

How is your hot water heater regulated? Does it prevent scalding and burning? It is important that you do not have the temperature of your water heater set to high, because it can cause severe burns. Some people cannot feel how hot the water may be and burn themselves by accident. This small adjustment in your bathroom can prevent this problem.

Do you have a hand-held shower head? When bathing someone, a hand-held shower head is indispensable. It allows the caregiver to move more efficiently to get the job done. There are various types of hand-held showers on the market and you can pick one up at your local hardware store.

Are your faucets easy to operate? Consider replacing an older faucet with one that has levers, for easier operation. There are a variety of styles and colors available that can fit into any bathroom decor.

Is your toilet and wash basin easily accessible? Raised toilet seats assist persons who have difficulty bending or transfering by raising the height of the toilet seat to a more comfortable and convenient height. There are a variety of elevated toilet seats to choose from.

Toilet Safety Rails/ Wall grab bars are available to assist persons in raising and lowering themselves safely. Rails can be installed horizontally or vertically and come in different sizes. Some attach to the wall and can be pushed back when not in use.

Grab Bars: Falls are the most common household accident. Wet, soapy tile, marble, or porcelain surfaces in your bathroom can be very slippery. Installing grab bars in the tub and shower can help you get in and out more easily and reduce your risk of falls. A grab bar near the toilet area can give support when you sit down and transfer. Grab bars are available in a variety of colors and finishes to complement your bathroom decor.

Bathroom Telephone: Jumping out of the bath or shower to answer the phone is inconvenient, and can be very dangerous. Also, if you should slip and fall in the bathroom, a conveniently placed telephone can bring help fast. In choosing a phone select one with touch tone numbers for easy dialing in case of an emergency. A speakerphone attachment allows you to talk without having to use the receiver. Hang the phone on the wall, close to shower, tub, or toilet.

Note: The phone is an electrical appliance. Be careful never to let phone or receiver make contact with water--and never talk on the phone while in the bath.

Regards

Simon