Bathtubs and Faucets
Bathtubs or combination bathtub and shower units are now available for barrier-free installations. The molded fiberglass units feature ease of entry and built-in or foldup seating that can be put in place for family members who need assistance, but moved or folded away for more mobile people. Placement and strength of the grab bars meet ANSI (American National Standards Institute) recommendations, as does location of seating and soap dishes. Shower doors such as the TUB-MAST'ER provide seals at sides and floor so barrier-free shower stalls can be used without a curb at the floor. The wheelchair must only roll over a low vinyl threshold to gain admission to the shower stall.

Because home utility bills are the foremost concern for those on a fixed or limited income, consider installing water-saving bathroom fixtures such as the Wellworth Litel by Kohler. Reducing home water consumption by half is an accessible goal, if you replace the standard toilet that uses 5 to 7 gallons per flush with the watersaver units that use only 1.5 gallons per flush. Combine this with low-flow shower heads that cut water consumption by half or more, and you have accomplished real savings.

FAUCETS AND CONTROLS

To be considered for barrier-free installation, water faucets and controls must be easy to operate, must be water-saving, and must have anti-scald controls.

For ease of operation, install single-lever faucets at all sinks. These offer both temperature and volume control in one unit, with one hand. Large levers not only offer easier control for those with diminished hand strength, they also can be manipulated with a push of the hand or the elbow. Ceramic disc cartridge construction is a guarantee of low-maintenance operation, another concern for those who may be unable to manage maintenance chores themselves.

In addition to controlling water flow and temperature, barrier-free lavatory and shower faucets provide flexible, movable heads. The flexible extension shower heads permit you to control the position and direction of the shower head so you can bathe while sitting. The extension lavatory faucet is useful in permitting you to shampoo from a seated position.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Grab Bars

Grab bars at tub and toilet, and inside the shower stall, would likely prevent tens of thousands of falls in the U.S. annually. New shower stalls or tubs may have grab bars molded into the unit, along with soap dishes at convenient height for bath or shower use. A soap caddy, hung over the shower head, can hold shampoo, soap, or washcloths at a convenient level so the bather is not moving or stretching outside the unit to reach needed items.

If your bathroom has no grab bars, there are many styles to choose from - bars that can be attached to any wall. It is important, however, to install the bars using screws large and long enough to support the weight of a falling person. These mounting screws should always be driven into the wood framing in the walls, not secured with plastic screw plugs or driven into lath or plaster only. Only screws that are driven into framing members are strong enough to support a person's weight.

Laundry and Clothes Chute

Build a clothes chute in the bath to make it easy to transfer clothes or bath towels to the laundry. The clothes chute can be a through-the-wall door with a clothes hamper on the laundry side. The laundry in the barrier-free house should be on the main floor, not stuck away in an inaccessible basement. Even better, install spacesaver or stackable laundry equipment in the bathroom for the easiest access.

Provide as much storage at easy-to-reach levels as possible. Consider including narrow shelves and wall-mounted coated wire baskets.

Ventilation

A bathroom should have an exterior window, if possible, because the best dehumidifier and air freshener is outdoor air. The bathroom should also have an exhaust vent fan to move moisture outdoors during cold weather. Check out the types of windows available and make sure they are easy to operate. Skylight windows are available with remote control openers that use push-button operation. Consider casement windows that have crank or lever openers that will ensure ease of operation.

Add-On Aids

There are a number of things you can do to make existing bathrooms barrier-free. If you are not building new or remodeling, the bath and shower units with built-in support features are not for your consideration. But you can add flexible shower heads and lever-type faucets to make bathing easier. Toilet extensions can replace the toilet seat to aid those who have trouble sitting lower. Grab bars that fit on walls, bathtub, or toilet can be added in any bathroom. Bath benches can be placed in tubs or showers to ease movement between tub and wheelchair or walker. Non-slip floor covering or bath mats can replace slippery surfaces.

Check with electrical stores for oversized light switches. Some switches require only a touch; some have oversized plates. For those who have to get up at night, install a bathroom light switch that is lighted so it is easy to find in the dark.

Bathroom hardware can be removed and replaced with hardware that is more user-friendly. On vanity cabinets, for example, it is simple and inexpensive to remove round pull knobs and replace them with D-type hardware pulls that are easier to grasp. Lever attachments that can be screwed onto round door knobs make room entry easier.

Written by Gary Branson
Reprinted with permission. Copyright HouseNet, Inc.

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