Often, it just makes sense for families to share living space. An aging parent may need a little bit of assistance with every day tasks, and having grandparents living in the home while children are growing up can be beneficial to everyone involved. Some of the spaces in a home can feel a little bit too tight, however, in a multi-generational household. The bathroom is certainly one of those spaces, so how do you create a bathroom that works for your multi-user household, yet has the accessibility features needed by older family members. It is not as difficult as you might think, because accessible bathrooms are crafted with universal design principles that should make the space safe and usable for people of all ages. You may find that the accessibility features you put into place for your older loved ones can enhance the quality of life of everyone in the household, from oldest to youngest.
Multi-user Accessible Bathroom Design
Increasingly, older people are living longer, and choosing to age at home. If your household includes an older adult, it is vital to support ease of use, accessibility, and adjustability, by focusing on universal bathroom elements. When you consider the goals of an accessible bathroom, from minimising slipping hazards to maximising areas of movement, making the bathroom safe and easy to use, they don’t just apply to older people. Even the youngest members of your household will benefit from these qualities in a bathroom. In a multi-user bathroom, be mindful of the storage needs of all the people who will be using it. Look for practical storage solutions that keep the surfaces uncluttered, important items at an easy reach, and storage spaces that work for everyone.
Family-friendly accessible bathroom ideas
There are, in fact, many accessible features that are well-suited not only for older people but also for children. Non slip bathroom surfaces and grab bars in the shower, for instance, make it safer for any user, and built in shower seats can make it more comfortable. Another feature that is good for seniors and children is a shower handset with precise temperature control. There are thermostatic shower valves that keep the temperature constant and shut off automatically if there is a risk of scalding. Further, consider all the bathroom features that can now be controlled with a voice or just the wave of a hand. Toilets can be flushed with a motion, which is convenient for those who have limited hand mobility. That is also a convenient feature for children, who are not always great at cleaning their hands after toileting; now they don’t have to touch the toilet to flush it. Lights and faucets can also be controlled with low-contact or contactless features like touch or wave sensors.
Adaptable Bathroom Features for Accessibility and Flexibility
Some features, like shower chairs and raised toilet seats, come in freestanding models that can be tucked away when not in use. Even some wall-mounted shower seats can be folded away, for the sake of convenience. For an even more impactful adaptable feature, consider the height-adjustable basin. Height-adjustable basins can be raised or lowered to meet the needs of the user. That way, they can be lowered to the right height for children who need to wash their hands, or raised to a height that allows a wheelchair to fit comfortably underneath it.
Mobility-friendly shared bathroom design
If someone in the household uses a wheelchair, the bathroom will need to be large enough for the chair to be manoeuvred within the space. As mentioned, a height-adjustable basin is good for wheelchair users, but a wall-mounted sink can work just as well, either high enough to roll under or low enough to reach from a chair. Additionally, countertops can be designed with a cut out area that gives easier access to the sink, as long as the counter edges are smooth and rounded. Walk-in showers are a good option for both children and people with limited mobility. The no-threshold, doorless design eliminates the risk of tripping, while allowing wheelchair access. To take this a step further, consider a wet room. No shower screen or separation means there is plenty of room for wall-mounted seats and grab bars, and ample space to manoeuvre. If a bath is a priority, a walk-in tub offers a safe, comfortable solution, and can be used by all ages.
Let BMAS Help You Design an Accessible Bathroom for Your Multigenerational Household
At Bathing Mobility Advisory Service, we offer a wide range of options to help you create an accessible bathroom tailored to meet your needs and suit your aesthetic sensibilities. We are specialists in bathroom design and installation, and our family business in Edinburgh, BMAS still operates from the family values and service on which our company was built. Our bathrooms are not only practical, but also beautiful, and our team is committed to helping people bathe safely and independently in their homes. We will work with you to create a bathroom design that suits you, and most bathrooms are completed within a working week. From design to completion, BMAS is with you every step of the way, and we will only sign off on a project when both you and the installation manager are pleased with the results. We hold ourselves to a high standard, and are proud of the work we do, providing quality workmanship backed by dedicated service . Visit one of our showrooms to learn more, or contact us for a free home visit and no-obligation quote.