The most important thing for anyone who is disabled is getting clean. Some people think non-disabled individuals can only use a shower, but not all disabilities are visible from the outside. Disabled people need accessibility features that allow them to take showers without assistance and without fear of falling or slipping in a wet space. This blog post outlines the common features found on the best disabled showers to help you find one that suits your needs and needs to be easy to use!
Height
The height of the disabled showers should be appropriate for your needs. It does not have to be as tall as a regular shower, but it should be tall enough to sit comfortably in the shower and reach all parts of the right side of the body.
Grab bars or side rails
The first feature is grabbing bars or side rails at fixtures such as faucets, shower curtains, and handrails. With this feature in place, you can enjoy your shower and your bathing routine without having to worry about losing your balance and falling into the bucket or onto a tile floor below yourself. That can also be an issue for people with more severe disabilities.
A wider threshold
This can help those people with more severe disabilities as much as those without. It gives those who can get in and out of the shower safely the chance to do so without worrying about how the water will affect their back and abdominal muscles when exiting. This safety feature can also be extremely beneficial for seniors who may need a little help getting in or out of a shower tub or surround for their safety and peace of mind.
Fully accessible power outlets
The shower should have fully accessible power outlets or switches within reach and easy-to-access locations within the shower enclosure. That helps people with limited mobility to have full control over the water temperature and other functions, allowing them to enjoy a nice hot shower without having to deal with a caregiver or family member helping them. It’s something that can be enjoyed by those who don’t need assistance from others.
Anti-slip surfaces in the showers
The disabled showers should have an anti-slip surface inside the shower enclosure. These are beneficial in preventing serious falls and injuries by providing slip-resistant surfaces, grab bars and other fixtures that can help you stay stable in an unstable situation.
Multiple control points within reach of a wheelchair
This allows a person seated in a wheelchair or who may need to be seated in their wheelchair for a certain period to use multiple controls for the shower and safety measures. These can include hand-held shower heads, adjustable shower heads, shampoo caddies, soap dishes, and faucets within your wheelchair.
Electrical surge protection
The disabled showers should have an electrical outlet with surge protection near the shower tub or tub surround and within reach of your wheelchair’s control panel. This way, you can have an outlet to plug in your electric wheelchair to control it while it charges for as long as you would like before heading out of the house again later on. That is beneficial for those with manual wheelchairs as well.
The best disabled showers are one that not only supports your needs but also can provide you with a safe and enjoyable experience. They need to be adjusted so that they are sized just right, both in terms of space as well as accessibility features, to make sure that they fit your needs perfectly. Of course, many other things can be done to make the showers for the disabled easier to use and more enjoyable for everyone involved.