How to Install Bathroom Tub Fixtures for Disabled People

The bathroom can be a dangerous place, especially for someone with disabilities or limited mobility. With some time and money, you can add design elements to an existing bathroom in order to make it more accessible and safe for any individual in need. This article will share with you several ideas on how to do this.

Extra Lighting

In many circumstances the lighting in a bathroom is fairly adequate. When someone has trouble seeing this adequate light now becomes less than desirable. There are several design elements you can add to the bathroom in order to offer increased lighting. A Hollywood style mirror is once possibility. Essentially you get a mirror that has bulbs that surround the reflective surface. Another option are light fixtures that are easily installed to the existing wall and the simply plugged in to an outlet.

Shower Seat

For anyone that has trouble standing for long periods of times will greatly benefit from a shower seat. If someone else is in the home then a folding shower seat will be a better choice as it can be folded up and put out of the way. Folding shower chairs are very easy to install in your bathroom. You need to find the wall studs and drill pilot holes using a masonry bit. You then simple screw the brackets through holes, attach the seat and tighten the screws. These shower seats last a long time and using silicone around the screws will keep the chair in place even after many years of use.

Safety Bar

A safety bar is also known as a hand rail or guide bar. Basically it is a metal bar that is fastened to the wall of the shower or tub. They are attached to the studs of the wall behind the tile. They are placed here in order to be used by a person to steady themselves with. The safety bar is also useful to allow the person to pull themselves off of a shower seat, help as a way to let them get in and out of the shower or tub and help pull themselves up if they happen to fall down in either.

Handheld Shower Wand

This is probably your least expensive upgrade. The beauty of the shower wand is that anyone in the home can benefit from it. It can replace or act in conjunction with your current shower head. You are able to turn the shower on and physically manipulate the shower wand in order to properly shower. You can install the handheld shower wand at a level that is easy to reach so they can get it when they are already seated.

Non-Slip Mats

These have become standard in many showers due the slippery nature of porcelain, tile and other materials that shower and tub floors are made out of. These mats often are rubber with suction cups on the bottom. You can also use individual non-slip stickers instead of a full mat.