Don’t think you’re ready for an ‘easy access’ bathroom? Think again.
It’s fair to say the average 65-year-old seems much younger than a generation ago. We’re living longer. Many people in their 70s and 80s enjoy active lives. However, there can come a point where we get less mobile, weaker, and unsteady with age.
Slips, trips, and falls become more likely and difficult to get over when dealing with reduced mobility. This increases the chance of being unable to get in and out of the bath or shower safely. Tasks like turning taps and shower controls, as well as accessing the toilet, can become increasingly difficult. And if not properly addressed, it can lead to relying on family members and professional carers, or simply not washing as often. This can result in other health issues. Fortunately, adaptations can make life easier and safer – meaning we can enjoy independence in our own homes for much longer.
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Ensuring your independence in the long run.
For most of us, reduced mobility doesn’t mean the end of independent self-care. Many people are benefiting from making changes to their bathrooms. Handrails, slip-resistant flooring, and new taps or shower controls can make a world of difference.
Baths can also be adjusted with everything from a portable seat, to a lift or hoist, depending on your mobility levels—with some people preferring to invest in a shallow bath, walk-in bath, or a bath with a built-in seat.
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Some people are able to significantly improve their lives with an extra downstairs toilet, or a walk-in shower, maybe with a portable or fixed shower seat. And others are benefiting from the ultimate in bathroom accessibility: the wet room.
Even if you’ll always require assistance, an easy access bathroom can mean the difference between institutional and home care.
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But won’t my bathroom look ugly?
Not these days! Functional doesn’t have to look institutional, with a range of finishes and colour schemes to choose from. Easy-to-use mixer taps are on-trend in all modern bathrooms and many sportspeople have wet rooms anyway. Others simply find them easier to clean, especially when more modern grout-free walling solutions are selected.
Choosing the right bathroom.
An easy access bathroom specialist will ensure you receive a suitable and safe bathroom, meeting the needs of everyone who uses it, for now, and in the future. They will also often provide a free no-obligation design and quotation after assessing your individual requirements and your existing bathroom facilities.
See also: Update your Bathroom
Worried about weeks of disruption?
Well, you shouldn’t be! You’ll be amazed at how quickly your bathroom can be transformed as long as you use the right company. Depending on room size and requirements, the most experienced specialists will minimise mess and disruption, often only taking three days to complete the transformation. Don’t worry, they know how important toilet access is and surprisingly it often only needs to be restricted for about half an hour.
It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to use an independently trusted trader. Aside from the danger of using an unregulated supplier, having to get substandard work fixed means that even cheap quotes can end up costing far more in the long run.
Can I get funding?
According to Which?, those with a chronic illness or disability that prevents them from getting into and out of the bath easily, may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for up to £30K, if they intend to live at their current address for the next five years. Your individual health and financial circumstances will need to be assessed and funding/funding criteria vary between counties in the UK. However, it’s worth contacting social services or your local environmental health department. Alternatively, some easy access bathroom specialists offer 0% finance so you can spread the cost of your new bathroom into manageable payments.
Peace of mind.
Easy-access bathrooms are allowing many people to live happier, more independent lives. Despite the initial financial outlay, investing in adaptations means that some people will eliminate the cost of carers having to visit their home. For others, it means they can receive professional care in the home they love, rather than an institution.
Good personal hygiene is essential in maintaining health, well-being, and independence. An accessible bathroom will make your life much easier and give loved one’s peace of mind about your safety.
Many people are opting for easy access bathrooms sooner rather than later, getting the maximum use and value from this important investment. If your bathroom is due to be refurbished, it’s worth thinking about future-proofing it now.
Are you struggling to bathe? Bathing Solutions is an established specialist who design, supply, and install easy access bathrooms nationwide and offer a free design quotation service. To find out how they can help, visit their website bathingsolutions.co.uk
