Adapting to an Accessible Toilet
The realisation that we can’t manage any more, and need a little help to go to the toilet, is a big thing to accept. But little changes can make the transition easier.
Adaptations are now commonplace (approx.. 40,000 each year): the bathroom is the room most frequently adapted, and the WC the most often altered fixture therein. A little thought at the start of the process can ensure the adapted space meets needs and still looks good.
Our ‘quick guide’ covers the small things that make a difference, so you – or your client -have dignity, independence, and remain in control.
- Colour: Use it to brighten the space, and help differentiate different zones.
- Fixings: Make sure they ‘re strong enough if being used for leverage or to lean on!
- Grab rails: Fixed or fold-away?
- Washbasin: If a wheelchair or frame is now in the equation, a wall-mounted one provides better ‘access’.
- The WC: Away from a wall to enable easier transfer. Ideally, upgrade to a wash and dry toilet that will clean without any need to stretch for, tear off toilet tissue and then contort to wipe.
- Toilet seat (height): If transferring from a wheelchair, the seat/WC may need to be raised; the seat itself is the most frequent adjustment to the fixture! Soft, horseshoe, bariatric, coloured: get it right, as many people spend a lot of time sat there…
- Hoist: Make sure it reaches the areas it needs to, and there is adequate clearance to lift from the floor.
- Room to move: If a wheelchair or frame is now “in the picture” is there enough space to easily turn and move around? Changing the door from a pivot to a slider can add precious inches. Removing a shower tray and making that fitting a level access similarly gives extra space for manoeuvre.
- Light: Enough to use the room, but avoiding glare. Ambient light can highlight specific zones.
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