making life that little bit easier...
Extra Help
Dear soak magazine,
I am in need of advice with regards to my bathroom. Basically it's tiny and as I am disabled I'm finding it increasingly difficult to not only move around but to get in and out of my bath, and wondered if a shower would be easier for me to use?
I know there are bathroom products specifically designed for less able people, but they're very clinical and stark. I still want to be able to enjoy my bathroom; relax and unwind – ideally without needing assistance from anyone else.
Any suggestions?
Yours hopefully
Lorraine Chadwick
As the official publication of The Bathroom and Shower Information Service, we decided to do our homework and find out exactly what improvements could be made to Mrs Chadwick's bathroom, to make her life a little bit easier.
But, the further we looked into it , the clearer it became that we should use her bathroom as an example for others in a similar position… so – with major assistance from Armitage Shanks – we transformed her bathroom!
STEP- BY-STEP
Initially the bathroom had to be prepared which involved stripping all the wallpaper, removing the carpet and moving anything that wasn't fixed down, to make removing the old suite easier for the plumbers.
Next the plumbers – Michael and Richard Brearley of ME Electrical Plumbing & Heating Engineers (Thrisk) – arrived to dismantle the existing bathroom suite, remove the immersion heater and install the new boiler (kindly donated by Halifax based Keighley Heating and Plumbing ( www.keighleyplumbing.co.uk)).
As the house was quite old, once the suite was out and the tiles removed a plasterer (Peter Harwood) was required to make good the walls. Whilst these were drying the opportunity was taken to lay the new floor. It was felt that a tiled floor from Amtico would be easier for Mrs Chadwick to walk on than carpet, and would be easier to clean.
The plumbers then returned to install the new special care products from Armitage Shanks – and finally tiling, painting and styling completed the transformation.
As the UK's leading supplier of bathroom products to the Care market, Armitage Shanks has an impressive product range that is unrivalled by any other bathroom manufacturer. We selected the following products for Mrs Chadwick's bathroom which were chosen with her specific needs in mind:
Synergy 200 Care Shower:
• Easy access and installation with an electric lever action shower for easy use, and a comfortable padded seat which folds against the wall when not in use.
50cm Portman Basin:
• Ideal for wheelchair access with a good size bowl for washing.
Piccolo 2 Basin Mixer:
• Perfect for those who have little or no grip in their hands as it features a one handed swift lever action which controls the water volume and temperature.
Ventura WC:
• Slightly higher to allow for wheelchair access with a water saving 6 litre flush and easy grip spatula lever.
Grab Rails:
• To give added support where required.
Decor:
• Floor – Amtico RM41CT Roman Marble Beige <
br>• Walls – Crown Aqua Source Kitchen and Bathroom
paint
• Tiles – white 10cm x 10cm tiles and Harmonie
Californie Mosiacs
• Towels – white (Asda) ocean blue (Christy's luxury
Collection)
• Mirror, soap dish, toothbrush holder and cup from Asda
• Chair, toilet roll holder from Ikea
• Toiletries – Marks & amp; Spencer, The Body Shop,
Allders
• Oil burner – The Body Shop
• Blind – Allders
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Shower Systems
When choosing a shower system there are a few things to bear in
mind:
Temperature control:
• Where possible there should be a guard against sudden water temperatures changes. It is recommended to choose a system with thermostatic controls to allow for constant water temperature.
Thermostatic mixer showers:
• This type of shower uses preheated water from the tank but has thermostatic controls which automatically compensate for any change in water pressure.
Instant or electric showers:
• These run off the cold water supply with an element which heats the water as it flows through the unit.
Shower controls:
• Depending on your needs you should consider showers with pre-set controls or where the rate of flow and temperature is regulated by one control. The following are available:
Lever controls
Dial control
Push button control
Rocker switch
Getting in and out of the shower
Ramped or level access shower areas are recommended as
they are easier to access than those with a step.
Wheeled shower chairs:
Mobile shower chairs are made from non-corrodable materials
therefore it does not matter if they get wet. They enable you to
get into the shower yourself or be helped in, avoiding the need to
transfer from a wheelchair to a separate seat.
Showers incorporating a seat for transfer:
These are specifically designed shower cubicles that have a seat
which swings/ slides outside the shower to enable you to transfer
from the wheelchair directly onto it. The cubicle should also have
built in grab rails to help you move along the
seat.
Bathing Equipment
There is a wide selection of equipment available to help overcome
the difficulty of getting in and out of bath. Helpful information
on this area is covered on the 'you're able' web site at www.yourable.com
FUNDING
Disabled Facilities Grants
A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) may be available for some home
adaptions including major adaptations such as shower
units.
Applications for grants should be made to local councils, Environmental Health Department or local Housing Department (for council houses)
DFG's are available as part of the general renovation grant system. A means test is applied to decide how much financial assistance can be made available.
More Information/Useful Numbers<
br> Armitage Shanks – www.armitage-shanks.co.uk -
01543 490253
Social services departments – www.dss.gov.uk
Disabled Living Centre – < a href="http://
www.dlcc.co.uk">www.dlcc.co.uk
Needs First, HoDis – 01904 653888
Foundations (puts people in touch with HIAs which assist disabled
people to adapt and repair their homes) – 01457
891909
