We are remodeling our guest bathroom, and would like to make it as senior-friendly as possible. The questions we've been considering are:
1. In our shower (no bath tub), how many grab bars should we place, and what are the best positions for them? It seems like sometimes they are placed diagonally, and others vertical or horizontal.
2. What height is optimal for a toilet? A countertop?
3. Is it worth installing a built-in shower seat, or are the freestanding ones good enough if needed?
Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can share!
BTW...We did not install doors to any of our showers. Just beautiful shower curtains which can be removed as needed. This is another safety precaution (people have been known to knock doors off their frames and/or break the glass). Besides, both our mothers desire and value their privacy, so the curtains offer that. They are quite pleased with their individual suites.
The bathroom is large enough to get a wheelchair or a Sit to Stand or Hoyer Lift into.
The entire bathroom is what is called a "wet room" so all tile on the floor and most of the walls.
Shower is a large Roll In or Zero Threshold shower.
There are 2 long grab bars in the shower but I placed several more in the bathroom replacing towel bars with grab bars.
Both toilets in the house are Tall (ADA height) with elongated bowls.
I did attach a piece to the toilet that had "arms" on it (sort of like the arms on a chair) that made it easier for my husband to get up. I removed that when he started using a wheelchair. I had a shower wheelchair that I could position over the toilet than I would just roll him into the shower.
If there is a possibility that a wheelchair will be used if you have 2 sinks in the bathroom one should not have a cabinet below it so rolling a chair up to the sink is easier. If there is only 1 sink maybe a Pedestal sink with extra cabinetry or an easily accessible closet.
A quick note on the diagonal grab bars. The ones I was finding did not come in a 16 or 32 inch length (studs in the walls are typically 16 inches apart) so unless you wanted special anchors used or custom ordered grab bars placing them diagonally was the way to use the more common or easily found grab bars.
Horizontal grab bars seem to be easier to use, and they can double as a towel bar. I did place one vertically by the shower but it really was never used.
Personal opinion about the shower seats.
What will be easier and more comfortable to you. Freestanding ones can be moved so it can be made to be more comfortable. You can use them with or without a back. As Trunk support is lost a back can be important. A built in shower seat it typically at the back of the shower and that might be a distance from the controls and the hand held shower "wand".
I/we never had to use a shower seat since he went from standing to a shower wheelchair. When he was standing for some reason he did not use grab bars for support so I would buy used walkers from resale shops and he would use a walker for support. (never paid more than $3.00 for one and if they became unstable or corroded I would put them out for the metal scrappers or recycle)
Below are some answers to your questions. I've included some links to pages that will provide even more detailed info.
1. It depends on the size of your shower and the use of the grab bars. Ideally, you'd want one installed vertically by door of your shower as that will make it easy to hold onto when stepping over the entry barrier. I would then recommend a couple horizontal bars to be placed on both walls of the shower near the shower head. The horizontal bars will be easy to hold onto while turning or moving in the shower. Please visit the following link to learn more about the types of grab bars available and the pros and cons of having them installed vertically, horizontally, and even diagonally.
2. The optimal height for a toilet and counter top is going to be dependent on what is comfortable for you. Ideally, you'll want both high enough where they are easy to access. For a toilet, there are a few different products that can raise the height of the seat to make it easier and safer to get on and off of such as the TILT from EZ-ACCESS or elevator toilet seat risers.
3. This is again going to be your preference. There are seats that are more than durable enough, but if you prefer a built in shower seat and it's within the budget, then go for it!