As the Baby Boomers and their parents age, the interest in universal barrier-free design for the interior of homes is skyrocketing. Whether you are recuperating from surgery or adapting your home for an elderly relative now is the time to explore the avenues for making alterations to your current home to allow your family to comfortably age in place. Accessible design has moved beyond clunky looking grab bars and industrial looking finishes to well-planned living environments that are bright, open and adaptable for the future needs of family members.
Since many of the problems with limited mobility after an injury can complicate the use of a regular bathroom, a few changes now can pay big dividends in the future. Designing the entry to a shower so the door is flush with the floor and eliminating the step up removes any barrier to entering with a walker, cane, and wheel chair or with an injured extremity. In some instance the doors can be removed completely if the showerhead placement is well planned. Kohler makes attractive contemporary grab bars with a variety of finishes that can double as towel bars. If you have a tub/shower unit, entrance into the tub can be facilitated with a Sonaris reclining bath chair lift. Once the chair completes its descent into the tub, the relining back can be adjusted with a hand held control. This battery operated lift has multi-position suction feet, which provide maximum stability as they adjust to the curve of the tub. This lightweight durable design will support up to 300 lb. There is still enough room to shower in front of the lift without removing it. Lever handles on the faucets and doors provide ease of operation for those with hand injuries or arthritis. When replacing the toilet, select a 19-chair height model which is more comfortable for adults than the standard height toilets. Finish the bathroom with slip resistant flooring installed over radiant heat and a new set of luxurious towels.
— Jean Cary, Jean Cary Interiors
To find the solutions to your home dilemmas, give Jean a call: of (650) 593-9622