Aging in Place Bathroom Modifications or Renovations
There can be many reasons to modifiy or renovate a bathroom. The most common reason is it is just time. The bathroom is a heavily used room and the wet conditions can combine with heavy use to simply wear it down. In some cases the bathroom is outdated and you may be considering selling the home. A renovated bathroom can certainly expedite the selling process. A worn out bathroom is as much an opportunity as it is a problem.
Unfortunately, other reasons to modify a bathroom include modifications to accommodate people with injuries or illnesses, or people simply aging with time. Regardless of the reason, a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) advisor can help you modifiy or renovate a bathroom.
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) there are some basic concepts of any bathroom modification or renovation. These include:
Privacy and dignity - Will it be necessary to have a caregiver in the bathroom?
Budget - It is easier to get what you want with a new bathroom versus a renovated bathroom. But new will be more expensive.
Features (Elements) - New ideas for bathroom features surface often. What you did 15-20 years ago may not be available now.
Maneuverability - Always an issue but critical in the bathroom for disabled people.
Critical use areas - Toilet, tub, shower, and vanity/sinks.
Storage - Access to storage should be safe and easy.
A general list of features that could be part of an aging-in-place modification for a bathroom includes:
Grab bars.
Lever style faucet handles.
Wheelchair access to the toilet.
Wheelchair access to the shower and/or tub.
Wheelchair access to a sink.
Accessible doors.