Save 20% off all Showroom Stock Scooters, Powerchairs, Lift Chairs, and Rollators now until June 30th, 2023!

7271 Park Circle Drive

Suite 100, Hanover, MD 21076

(443) 445-3518

Questions? We have answers.

Mon-Fri: 10-4

Appointment Preferred.

Designing a Bathroom for All Ages

The Freedom Mobility

Difference

I can't thank Kelly and her staff enough for how helpful and caring they have been during my mother's recovery. It is obvious that they have the client's best interests in mind. I highly recommend this company!
- Jill Layton Alperstein
Customer

2015-04-11-11.23.32 We came across this article about universal bathroom design in the September issue of the Consumer Reports Magazine and thought you might find it interesting and useful as well. The article tackles an important issue: making a bathroom accessible and senior-friendly without making it look like it belongs in a nursing home. After all, seniors and people with limited mobility often don’t live alone or have an exclusive bathroom. Other family members want to enjoy the bathroom too and not be limited in using it because it was customized for someone else. If you are facing a similar challenge, you should look into aging-in-place bathroom design, also referred to as “visitability,” meaning that everyone will feel comfortable in your home regardless of age. Below are some of the basic principles of the aging-in-place design that you can easily implement in your own bathroom with the help of an experienced Maryland bathroom remodeling professional specializing in accessibility.

Adequate Lighting

  • Maximize natural light with windows and skylights.
  • Avoid blinding lights and glare.
  • Use upward-facing sconces.
  • Install night lights in the bathroom and the hallway leading to it.

Enough Room

  • Doorways at least 36” wide.
  • Lever handles for easier opening.
  • Door swinging out, not in.

Large Shower

  • Install a curbless shower.
  • Add a hand-held showerhead with a hose that’s at least 6 feet long.
  • Add a fold-up seat.
  • Keep toiletries within reach.

Accessible Storage

  • Open shelves and glass cabinet doors help see what’s inside.
  • Use D-shaped drawer pulls instead of knobs.

Accessible Sink

  • Install a countertop with 2 heights for every family member.
  • Use a wall-mounted sink to provide leg room for a wheelchair user.
  • Install a full-length mirror so that everyone can use it regardless of height.

Safety Features

  • Look for slip-resistant tile or vinyl flooring.
  • Use grab bars that do double duty.
  • Consider a walk-in bathtub.

Contact Freedom Mobility if you need help implementing any of these features. Follow these links to read the full article: Create a beautiful bathroom for the ages and 5 steps to a safer bathroom.