What to consider when changing the home bathroom for assisted care?
In the UK over 6.6 million of us are classified as a caregiver. That figure will include professional working carers as well as family carers. Adapting a bathroom for assisted care at home is the key to providing good home care. For the carers and cared for it is a safer and more comfortable option.
Adapting the home bathroom for yourself or someone you care for will help reduce the risks associated with the bathroom, it is classed as a high-risk/troublesome area. Especially for those with reduced mobility & older people.
These are FAQ questions for caregivers and home owners need to consider, not just for now but for the future too.
- What are the objectives? to use a bath? shower? or both maybe?
- Is seating required in the shower or bath?
- Is a powered seat required?
- What space is required to maneuver around the bathroom?
- Consider equipment used… i.e. walking frames, and wheelchairs?
- Are shelves required at easy-to-reach heights?
- Access to bath or shower? Step in or walk-in, or roll in?
- Positions of handrails?
- Toilet height and position?
- Do you want anti scold taps installed?
There are so many more safety areas to consider, such as the flooring and walls, ensuring these materials protect both users and carers.
A mobility bathroom specialist will always ask and consider the above and be thinking about the hazards.
We advise you always speak to a bathroom specialist and have a home survey to see the safest options for all involved. Also, it is important to know what is possible in the space available to ensure a detailed design and care plan can be produced to help all involved make an informed decision, that will make a huge difference not just to those that need our care, but to those who provide it.
Our bathroom advisors may ask more (or less depending) on the carers the person cared for needs, again now and in the future. Planning is what we do!
Contact Bespoke Bathing for advice and more information. The Nationwide Bathing Specialist’s.
Here at Bespoke Bathrooms, we have been working closely with professional carers, family carers, and friends who provide care for over 30 years now. We can help from start to finish with the process of a new walk-in shower, walk-in bath, or wet room, or maybe our popular combinations that help suit everyone!
Our professional surveyors can visit your home to get a better idea of your needs, before custom designing a bathroom that suits all your requirements. You can request a brochure here or a home visit here for a free home assessment.
See our other article on home care advice UK
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