0 Wet Rooms Are Growing in Popularity

• Wet Room
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 07-02-2023

Wet rooms are growing in popularity It’s a fact most likely borne out by your own customers’ enquiries and orders: demand for wet rooms is increasing. A recent survey by AMA Research reported that installation of wet rooms grew by 4%  and is likely to grow by up to 7% over the next two years. Why is this happening? As a nation, we’ve long been content with traditional bathrooms. Yet we’re now realising that wet rooms offer advantages to everyone – from physically able to elderly or disabled. Design-driven appeal Until recently, a wet room belonged to the more exotic builds on TV’s Grand Designs or was something you encountered in an upmarket hotel. At the other end of the scale, you might find one in a hospital or care home. The simple fact is a wet room is both aspirational and stylish, and safe and convenient. The UK’s ageing population might be reason enough to see a rise in the installation of wet rooms, with greater numbers of elderly and infirm people needing their practicality and easy access. But others also appreciate wet rooms’ space-saving layout and ergonomic efficiency. Increasing confidence Another contributing factor is that customers today feel more at ease with the idea of a wet room. Concerns about potential floods, leaks or damp problems have been allayed by the number of successful installations, achieved by builders’ increasing expertise and experience in this area, and the quality of solutions and materials stocked by merchants. Supplying quality The construction and effectiveness of key wet room products, such as floor formers and trays, is now proven and sophisticated. These days installers can take on a wet room job with confidence that materials will be fully up to the task, and designed to make the task as straightforward as possible. Varied and versatile There’s also a wider choice than ever before. With greater emphasis on style and appearance, there’s no longer any sense that installing a wet room, say for less physically able customers, should be a design compromise. Quite the opposite – those who may be physically or mentally disadvantaged can enjoy contemporary appeal and upmarket good looks, as well as comfort and convenience. The AMA report predicts the market for wet rooms will have grown by 34%.  That’s a significant expansion, and suggests that for many people, of all physical and mental abilities, the age of the bath and the conventional shower has passed, and the era of the wet room has well and truly arrived.

0 Top 10 Product Adaptations for your Bathroom

• Disability
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 06-02-2023

An inclusively-designed bathroom or wet room, with appropriately specified equipment, has a host of benefits; from promoting independence and improving dexterity to assisting in the prevention of falls. Here at Accessibility Bathrooms we have come up with a go-to list of the top 10 products to adapt your bathroom. 1. Level Access Showering Enclosure Walk in baths are an option for independent living, but they tend to be expensive. Level access wet rooms are a more cost-effective alternative that removes any trip hazards for users and make the most of the space within the bathroom. A water tight wet room be created using high-quality wet room formers. 2. Grab Rails The most obvious way to reduce the risk of falls in the bathroom is to install grab rails. Grab rails need to be thoughtfully placed to suit the need of the user. It is important to also consider what objects someone may instinctively grab if they were to fall, radiators and shower rails are just some of the things that somebody falling may grab to help them. 3. Shower Seat A Shower seat lowers the likelihood of slips and falls by providing a comfortable position to shower in, sitting down. We believe shower seats should be sturdy, comfortable and secure. There are many different types of shower seats, for different needs. 4. Care Shower A Care shower offers unrivalled levels of safety, control and ease-of-use. Thermostatic control and a riser rail that doubles up as a grab rail are a must. Technical innovations such as a wireless remote control and Smartphone app, encourage independence. 5. Shower Screen When it comes to accommodating space, Accessibility Bathrooms we have so many different options in both glass and plastic at both full and half height. When it comes to glass screens our range can be tailored and adapted to fit any space in any sized room. 6. Low Surface Temperature Radiator Accessibililty Bathrooms offer LST (Low Surface Temperature) radiators that are cool to the touch however they are just as efficient as a conventional radiator. 7. Raised Height Toilet A raised height toilet with a drop-down rail make the process of getting on, off and using the toilet safer and more comfortable. 8. Wall Panels Wall panels fulfil all the requirements of tiles but with none of the stress. Our wall panels will fit beautifully into any bathroom, whatever the preferred style, leaving you able to design and create your ideal space. 9. LED Lighting Brighter is better, in bathrooms where mobility is an issue high levels of light reduce the risk of falling. Where ever possible try and leave the light on overnight, worried about high energy bills? If the latest in highly efficient LED lighting is used these worries can be put to rest. 10. Wash and Dry Toilet A wash and dry toilet can leave users feeling clean, fresh and improve their sense of well-being. The Geberit AquaClean 8000plus Care incorporates a simple to use shower, dryer and odour extraction. It provides an all-round cleaner, comfortable and more hygienic experience which is easy to operate and virtually touch-free. So, there you have it, our top 10 products! 

0 Small Bathroom Ideas

• Inspiration
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 05-02-2023

0 WHAT YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR WHEN YOU'RE DISABLED | Beth Frazer

• Disability
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 05-02-2023

0 Wet Rooms vs Baths

• Wet Room
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 05-02-2023

The battle is on! Here at Accessibility Bathrooms we have looked into the benefits of both wet rooms and bathrooms, but which would be the better option? Whilst wet rooms are on the rise it’s time to ask the question: are baths necessary? If you answer no, would a wet room benefit you? Here is what we found out. What are the benefits? Care – Taking the needs of others into account, a wet room makes it possible for everyone to live an independent life. With level access in the room, it makes it accessible for wheelchair users and those that might need extra help getting into the shower. With this in mind, a wet rooms makes assisted care possible in the homes of those that need it and it increases the safety of disable users with its non-trip guarantee. Design – Stylish and stunning designs available means you are able to express yourself, creating your own individual room. With great space saving ideas their simplicity and practicality benefits you as the rooms look great and are also really easy to clean. Protection –Waterproofing your bathroom eliminates the risk of facing leaks in your home.  With a wet room, you get a 100% watertight guarantee meaning you no longer have to worry. But not only that by having a waste kit fitted below the floor you will be looking forward to the quick draining system that has been put into place. Installation – Professionally fitted wet rooms can be installed in any size room, meaning that before you start worrying you can’t have one fitted, think again. Able to maximise any size space (upstairs or down), you can look forward to bringing a simple but attractive feel to your bathroom. Value for money – Once fitted, an Accessibility Bathroom wet room has a guarantee which lasts the life time of the tiles used, meaning replacements won’t be needed.  One change that WILL be made, is to the value of your home. If you have a smart and stylish wet room, the price of your home could go up when it comes to selling. …and your winner, by unanimous decision is… WET ROOMS!

0 Care Home Bathroom – Safety First

• Care Homes
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 05-02-2023

Care Home Bathroom – Safety First   We are all familiar with the contents in a bathroom, so you would think that the bathroom would be considered a safe environment by most people. However, the bathroom is a work environment in some sectors, in particular the care industry. All nursing homes will have bathrooms which may be with an en-suite or an individual main bathroom. The en-suite will normally be used only by the occupants in the room while the main bathroom used by several different residents. The care home manager has a duty of care to both the workforce and to the residents to ensure all areas within the home are safe to use. In this work environment there are health & safety and infection control considerations which will need to be assessed through the risk assessment. Hazards in a bathroom A risk assessment will identify the potential hazards within a bathroom and highlight any further controls needed to ensure it remains safe to all service users and stakeholders. The key types of hazards to consider in a risk assessment are: Space Lighting Temperature of water Slip, trips, falls. Infection control Bathroom equipment Mould from condensation Space There should be adequate space for the service user to be comfortable when using the toilet and bath or shower. If a hoist is required, then consideration must be given to the area around the hoist to allow staff a sufficient area to work in and ensure the safe use of hoists. Lighting The lighting must be suitable and sufficient for the use of the bathroom, allowing both staff and residents to be able to see what they are doing properly. Temperature of water The temperature of the water must be checked at regular intervals to ensure that it does not cause burns to the residents and must not exceed 44°C. The correct mixing taps should also be used, such as thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs). Slip, trips, falls The flooring should be suitable for the intended use of the bathroom and the floor covering must consider that it will become wet. Infection controls The bathroom must be cleaned after use to prevent the spread of pathogenic microorganisms and bins will need to be cleaned and emptied regularly. Bathroom Equipment All equipment such as bath lifts and hoists used within the bathroom should be inspected and maintained regularly. Mould from condensation Good ventilation will help prevent the development of mould in the bathroom. Where possible, use natural ventilation but if you do open a window ensure that there are windows restrictors in place. The bathroom is a relatively safe area but will still need to be risk assessed to ensure it remains safe for each individual resident. The care home manager should ensure that regular planned inspections are carried out to ensure the bathroom remains a low-risk environment.  

1 Living with dementia | NHS

• Health
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 05-02-2023

0 Invisible disabilities: scoliosis

• Health
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 05-02-2023

0 Invisible Disabilities

• Disability
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 05-02-2023

0 Why Dementia-Friendly bathrooms are a care home must

• Wet Room
• by Accessibility Bathrooms
• 05-02-2023

As our population ages, dementia is becoming much more dominant. 163,000 new cases of dementia are diagnosed in England and Wales each year and 80% of care and nursing home residents have some degree of dementia or severe memory problems. The biggest challenge for homes is ensuring the environment is safe and comfortable.  Dementia impairs the senses and diminishes their perception of danger. Some rooms are typically safer than others; however the bathroom is one of the most challenging spaces for those with dementia, with many potential trip points, slip hazards, hot water outlets and confusing elements. Dementia sufferers are twice as likely to fall compared to others in their age group. Accessibility Bathrooms can provide level-access showers or wet rooms to reduce trip hazards and grab rails and shower seats for support. As people with dementia progressively lose safety awareness they become more vulnerable to scalds and burns. To reduce the risk of these kinds of injuries, we can provide our low surface temperature radiators. Also, our electric shower range includes SmartCare Plus, which allows carers to set the temperature with a wireless remote control. SmartCare Plus is also ideal for dementia sufferers who are prone to short term memory loss as it includes a special feature that automatically shuts down the shower after 30 minutes of uninterrupted use. People with dementia can have good long-term memory and will feel a sense of familiarity with traditional fixtures. Therefore, crosshead tap handles and lever handled toilet flush mechanisms are included in our range. Accessibility Bathrooms are one of the leading adapted living solution specialists and can ensure only the best care is being delivered to the rising number of residents with dementia. Our products can create a dementia-friendly bathroom that reduces the barriers faced in carrying out daily activities, greatly improving their safety and preserving their independence for as long as possible.