how to make bathroom safe Archives - Occupational Therapy Blog

Creating a bathroom that is safe and effective for someone who has a disability takes some planning. Adding in as much assistance as possible can make this a little easier. But which adapted toilet accessories are essential to make this happen? Let’s take a closer look at some of these items and why they are great additions to your bathroom at home. Essential Adapted Toilet Accessories There are many great accessories that you should have around your bathroom to make it more handicap accessible. The items that you see as essential may depend on how your bathroom is set up. Many items on the market promise to make a handicap bathroom more accessible, but your specific needs may vary. We’ve put together 7 of the most popular and useful handicap bathroom accessories so you don’t have to worry. Grab Bars for Stability Installing one of these near the toilet can make movement in the bathroom a little bit easier. Moving from the toilet back to standing or to another position without assistance is difficult. These grab bars provide solid handles to make the process easier. While these are commonly added into bathtubs and showers in handicap bathrooms, they will also fit well next to the toilet. You may need to get creative on where to place them depending on the design of the bathroom. Grab bars are often available in three length choices: 12 inches16 inches18 inches36 to 48 inches can typically be special ordered Since toilet grab bars are only used for specific purposes and at specific times, a smaller bar should work fine. A smaller bar also gives you more options when choosing where to install it. Raised Toilet Seats You may find that a raised toilet seat can make it easier for you to get off the toilet without any help. It is easier to install than most people assume and can just attach right to the current toilet seat. These are available through most medical supply stores and online, and they don’t cost much. They can be a great tool for someone who needs a little assistance getting up and down. Emergency Call Buttons A home emergency button is a good idea to place near the toilet. When someone falls or gets hurt, they may not be able to yell loud enough for someone to hear them. These emergency call buttons can make it easier to get help. Most of these options will not need any special wiring, so the most difficult decision is to figure out where to place them. Think of a good place for someone to reach the button if they have fallen or gotten stuck. Good spots for an emergency button include: Right near the toilet, on a vertical surfaceOn the side of the tubOn the bottom of the bathroom vanity. Placing it up high can make it hard to reach for someone who has fallen down. Easy access is key to an emergency button being effective, so make sure you can actually get to it. You may need to look at the instructions for the specific button you decide to use to make sure it is installed properly. Bathroom Toilet Aid Wiping Wand A wiping wand can be essential for those with limited arm mobility. These wands make it easier to clean up after using the bathroom, without needing to twist and turn in uncomfortable ways. Most are easy to use and you can choose an adjustable length for your needs. It is easy to refill this product and it can stay right on the top of the toilet or somewhere else nearby to make it easier to reach. Consider adding a nice basket to the top of the toilet or another holder container nearby to make it easier to reach the toilet paper and other necessities that you need. Assist Frame with Holding Stand This holding stand can be a great tool to have around the toilet to help you get up and down from the toilet when you are limited on wall space for the grab bar we discussed before. It is easy to assemble and will fit around most toilets with little issue. You can also choose one with a little holder in it to keep any necessities, like extra toilet paper, that you may need while using the toilet. Just make sure the base is stable enough to support your weight without wobbling. Slip Resistant Mat Another quality of life upgrade for your bathroom is a good, nonslip mat. Bathroom floors can get slippery and are hard to find traction on, especially when they are wet—something that poses a huge health risk for those who have an impaired sense of balance or reaction time. Adding a slip resistant mat to the floor will help you to keep the area dry and grippy when someone needs to use it. Choose one that lays in front or is specially designed to fit around the toilet. If you already have a rug or bathmat that you like, consider investing in some carpet tape to ensure it stays in place. Carpet tape is simply an extremely sticky and tough form of tape designed to make sure your rug will stay put and not slide around at all, and it works very well on tile or linoleum floors like your bathroom probably has. Night Light Adding a night light to the toilet is a great way to make it easier to see inside the bathroom at night. There are several options that attach right to the toilet and turn on when they detect some motion nearby. This helps to conserve the battery while making it easier to see when you go in at night. Standard nightlights are great in many different scenarios: They help with mobility by ensuring you always have at least some light to work withThey can be helpful for those with chronic migraines since overhead lights can often be too bright and extremely painful to use during an episodeBattery operated night lights ensure that you always have enough light to use the bathroom safely, even in the event of a In addition to standard outlet nightlights, there are also nightlights designed to be attached to the toilet bowl or tank. They make it easier to actually use bathroom at night without having to scramble around in the dark. Make sure that when you choose one it is water resistant. Even when it is placed on the outside of the toilet, there is a chance it will get wet from being in the bathroom. If the light is not waterproof, it will get ruined and it can get expensive to constantly replace them. Making the Bathroom Accessible There are many ways that you can make your bathroom more handicap accessible. Adding in the right accessories is a great way to make sure the area around the toilet is easier for everyone to use, including yourself. Just by adding a few items like a grab bar, raised toilet seat, and an anti-slip rug or mat you can take a lot of the stress and hassle out of your everyday routine. Content Disclaimer The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this Blog article are not intended to amount to advice, and you should not rely on any of the contents of this Blog article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this Blog article. OccupationaltherapyBlog disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this Blog article. Article Sources ADA Bathroom Accessories: Handicap Equipment for Bathrooms (webstaurantstore.com) Amazon.com: Vive Stand Alone Toilet Rail - Medical Bathroom Safety Assist Frame with Support Grab Bar Handles & Railings for Elderly, Senior, Handicap & Disabled - Freestanding Commode Stability Handrails: Health & Personal Care Safety Handicap Bathroom Accessories: Which Are the Most Important? - Accessible Homes Advisor How to Make a Bathroom Handicap Accessible - The Home Depot Self Wipe Toilet Aid - Bathroom Toilet Aid - Wiping Aid/Wand (advantagemedical.com)