We are in the middle of a redesign/extension to our house ( partially for my future needs ) and would appreciate some advice from other MSA sufferers.
We are planning a small wetroom with a shower at one end with probably a curtain in the middle to divide it in two.
I was thinking of installing grab bars ? Should these be vertical for getting up and down ? Or horizontal or diagonal ?
Should I incorporate a seat into the tiled area ?
What about a loo with a built-in bidet ?
Will I need grab bars near the loo too ?
I don't want it to look too 'disabled' if possible. I can just about get around with the help of a stick but I don't think this will last too much longer.
Anyone too embarrassed to respond openly can message me directly and I promise to spare their blushes.
Any advice gratefully received.
Regards,
Steve.
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Hi Steve - get your GP to refer you to an occupational therapist. They will not only be able to offer expert advice: they will probably be able to point you to a tradesperson to do the work. Ours had a list.
We converted our bathroom to a wet room just last year and had the same intention as you - not to look too institutional.
I would recommend a shower seat and we found a strong compact seat that hit the spot as not looking institutional.
Because we tiled the walls we chose not to have fixed grab rails but went for the suction ones which meant they could be repositioned at will. They are fine providing you give them a test tug each time you use them and tighten the ‘fix’ when needed (very easy).
We didn’t consider a toilet with a built in bidet but I think excellent idea if you can find a suitable one. We chose wall mounted sink and loo as that makes cleaning under easier.
We chose not to have a curtain as we only have one bathroom and there’s nothing worse than a curtain slapping you on the bum as one tries to shower!
We slipped up on one thing - the sink is next to the loo at a distance recommended by OT/installers. It would have been better just a little closer to each other so Jax could wash hands whilst still seated.
It you are having a complete makeover I can stress how pleased we are that we fitted electric underfloor heating - well worth the cost/effort.
Hope this is helpfu - feel free to ask any questions or direct message me if you want me to send some photos for ideas.
This is such a tough subject because it needs you to be able to get out your crystal ball and see into the future!!! Seriously you do need to look forward, probably further than you like, to make sure that adaptations you do now are still suitable the future, as well as being happy with how it looks and it being an asset to the house as well as your independence.
I agree with others, get an OT onboard even if you are self funding, your local authority should have an independent living team as well as the OT who should be involved with you as a neurological patient. Are you near a disabled living centre? they have lots of advice. We visited one locally and got lots of ideas and were able to try the automatic toilet. We did decide to go ahead with a Geberit care 8000 toilet and haven't regretted it despite the huge cost. It has meant that Geoff was independent at the toilet for much longer and is less "hands on" for me even now that he is dependant. You notice the difference when you go on holiday without one!!
If you have your wet room tiled with smooth tiles then I agree with Ian that the suction type grab rails are great and will help you know where they are needed which can change as your ability changes. We chose to not have a fixed shower seat and used a shower chair provided by the OT initially, then a perching stool which was a bit more robust and now we use a shower chair which is adapted to go over the automatic toilet and also goes into the shower. If it is a small wet room then you will need to be conscious of what you can incorporate and keep the manoeuvring space, ours is a reasonable size.
I agree with Ian as well about the wall hung wash basin. At the last moment we chose to have a basin on a unit which was really great when Geoff was still on his feet, but it is really unhelpful in the wheelchair! That was our biggest mistake! We do have storage in the bathroom though which you don't get with wall hung!
Somebody I know got a wet room firm in to plan and construct and they were happy with that. We were having a through floor lift installed as well so worked with a tradesman who could work with the lift firm and do the wet room job as one. We got the name from the local authority list.
Wow - thanks for the response, plenty to digest. We are getting underfloor heating too Diane. As for the OT, I asked her what the minimum door width should be for wheelchair access and she sent me a load of pdfs full of building regulations which I had to wade through.
I didn't know about the moveable grab a bars, thanks Ian.
One of the things I should have said about doors...one of the very best suggestions for us was to fit a pocket sliding door - absolutely great! The door slides out of the way giving a wide doorway to get the wheelchair through.
Hi my name is Teresa I rent and have a wet room there is a curtain which I fine helps I find grab rails next to the loo help me one straight one along I got silver as they don’t look disabled which I don’t want I have msa and these things help me x
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