Bathtub Grab Bars
Installing bathtub grab bars is a smart safety measure whether or not a member of the household is elderly or disabled. Grab bars provide extra support in areas that are known for accidents such as the bathtub and other slippery locations.
A bathtub grab bar can make getting into or exiting from the tub or shower stall much easier; allowing a person to have a secure way to balance themselves while lifting each leg into the tub area. For individuals, such as senior citizens and those with a physical impairment, who can lose their balance easily, a bathtub grab bar offers a steady rail which can support a person’s weight. Adding a handicap shower chair nearby a tub grab bar creates a landing spot to be used as an additional steadying point.
Tub grab bars clamp on to the curb of the bathtub using a tightening design. The clamps are lined with rubber padding that will not put holes or scratch the surface of the bathtub. The tub bar works by twisting the large screw until it tightens. The grip of the rubber and the clamp keeps the grab bar safe and secure.
Bathtub Grab Bar Installation
Grab bars can be installed on the bathroom or shower wall so that the positioning can suit either a person desiring to grab the bar with their right hand or their left hand. Before deciding on a bathtub grab bar configuration, stand outside your tub and visualize the most comfortable position. Imagine where your dominant hand would be situated when entering the shower or bathtub. The dominant hand is the one you would use to steady the movements.
ADA for Grab Bars
Make sure the grab bars cannot rotate within their installations. There should not be anything sharp or abrasive nearby. Edges should be smoothed out with a minimum radius of 1/8 inches. Height of the grab bar should be 33 to 36 inches above the floor of the bathtub. With a customized installation of a shower grab bar, be sure to double check the placement and height most convenient for their personal use.
Permanent installations of grab bars should support at least 250 pounds of pull. These bathtub grab bars must be properly anchored into the studs located in the handicap bathroom wall. A stud finder and drill is necessary if you intend on doing the grab bar installation yourself. Concrete walls, fiberglass or hollow walls might require special instructions to properly anchor the bar securely in place.
A bathtub grab bar is just one of the ways to start ensuring your bathtub is a safer place. This is what you put in a bathtub that is slippery but it is only the beginning. For added protection and safety for the slippery bathtub floors, add a shower mat that is anti-slip, non-skid and can grip the floors.
Simple grab bars can cost $20 to $50 while higher end models cost between $75 and $100. Bathtub grab bars make an excellent, affordable investment in household safety and peace of mind.
Shower Mats
Taking a bath or a shower at home is an experience many people take for granted. When adults get a little older, the act of taking a shower can be hazardous without the right safety features in place.
Falling in a shower can cause devastating injuries. Especially for older adults, shower safety is a must. Installing a shower mat is a simple way to prevent an accident. There are shower mats that can withstand the rubbing tires of a wheelchair while still providing a solid grip on the floor and for the user.
Shower mats with suction provide a great deal of security. A good shower mat has multiple suction cups that adhere securely to the tub surface and prevents skidding. The shower stall mats non-slip feature helps to ensure the mat will stay in place under wet conditions.
A textured surface protects further against the possibility of slipping as shampoos and other soaps accumulate during the shower. It is important to keep the shower floor and mat surface cleaned regularly to prevent soap scum from building up.
Buy Handicap Shower and Bath Mats with No-Skid Safety
Shower Stall Mats
With shower stall mats, you can get more creative with your color and size options to liven up the bathroom. The average shower mats sizes can range from 16 inches to 34 inches. Shower stall mats are also very easy to clean and machine washable. However, do not put them into the dryer as that can damage or even melt the rubber found in these mats.
Some handicap floor mats are designed with holes that allow water drainage. The washing machines might miss the tiny edges of the holes, so in order to clean the mat holes, use a scrubbing brush along with some soap. A small amount of bleach mixed with water can help with disinfections. The ratio is usually 1 tablespoon for every gallon of bleach.
Before placing the shower stall mat back into the proper place, wipe the area dry and clean so bacteria and mildew growth is reduced. With additional features like being anti-microbial and free from latex, shower mats are suitable for many different individuals.
Independent living is a possibility for many years to come when a common sense approach is taken towards safety. The smallest changes, like adding a handicap shower grab bar or shower mat in your bathroom environment, can increase your well-being drastically. Shower mats are a relatively inexpensive measure to take against accidents; they can be purchased for as little as ten dollars. With a wide range of sizes and a variety of colors available, finding a suitable mat is easy.
Handicap Bathtubs and Showers
The use of handicapped accessible bathtubs and showers has improved the lives of millions of disabled people. Handicap bathtubs and showers may also improve the lives of the elderly or people with diseases that cause frail bones. These handicap bathtubs and showers reduce their chances of falling and improve their well-being. It is important to explore all your options and figure out the products that meet your budget and needs.
There are different handicap bathing options. These options range in style from the simple and inexpensive shower chair, costing anywhere from $20 to $300, to the most extravagant of whirlpool therapy type tubs that may cost from $1,000 to $10,000 dollars. Accessibility varies with each type. With a shower chair, the tub itself remains standard and the chair is placed into the existing tub. A handicap shower will cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000.
Handicapped Accessible Showers
Handicapped accessible showers work in such a way that removes the door or curb entrance, thereby enabling the user to walk directly in, usually by stepping or rolling their wheelchair over a slight curb or ramp. Some handicap showers and bathtubs have a roll in shower design where the user is able to drive their wheelchair directly into the shower or tub. Yet another option is a leak safe door in the side panel of the handicap bathtub. These tubs may be equipped with a seat inside, and often they are much deeper than a standard tub, allowing the user a more complete soak.
The addition of a handicap shower or bathtub can be an excellent way for an elderly person or a person with disabilities to gain independence. Often times, if a person has a disability that would make a handicap shower or bathtub necessary, their medical insurance will cover part, if not all, of the costs involved.
