What Makes A Good Handicap Shower?

Anyone who has some sort of handicap is usually eager to be as independent as they possibly can. This is not easy, however, unless accommodations have been made in their home to make it easier for them to do certain things on their own. The installation of a handicap shower is one way to help them maintain their independence no matter what their physical disability is.

A handicap shower is a shower and stall combination designed in such a way as to enable a person to roll their wheelchair directly into the shower. It is also useful for those individuals who have trouble stepping over the side of a conventional bathtub in order to enter the shower.

Handicap showers in the home are becoming more popular with senior citizens, confined to a wheelchair or not. Anyone who suffers from arthritis or leg neuropathy, or who has had hip replacement surgery can benefit from having a barrier free shower installed in their home by a professional.

Roll-In Shower

The best type of handicap shower is called a roll-in shower. With this type of shower, all the person has to do is walk in, or roll in using their wheelchair. No lifting of the legs is required. The shower floor is level with the floor of the bathroom. There is a "lip" that retains the water while you are showering. This lip folds down as the wheelchair rolls over it, then pops back up again to do a fine job of keeping your bathroom floor dry.

Handicap showers can come in pre-fabricated units that will fit into the space where you already may have a bathtub and shower. Most of the time, they can use the same plumbing as well. These showers can be installed in your home by a professional in around two to three days. You can also add grab bars to your handicap shower to prevent falls, a shower chair for those who are unable to stand for the length of time it takes to shower, and a hand-held shower which adjusts in height, allowing you to personalize the shower to suit you whether you are standing or sitting.

Shower Inserts

Handicap shower inserts are well-made, usually of fiberglass with reinforcement throughout the walls made of plywood. This makes it easy to install grab bars and the like, as they have something to attach to. The inside of the shower made of a surface that is durable and easy to clean. You can even choose from several different colors to match your bathroom!

Quality Standards

The American Disabilities Association has standards for handicap showers. They have been instrumental is making sure that any commercially sold shower insert complies with these standards. You should look for the ADA Compliant sticker somewhere on the shower insert or on your warranty papers to make sure that you are not buying a cheaper imitation.

Your family member deserves a handicap shower in order to help them feel like they are in charge of their own personable hygiene. There will be no danger of them falling or slipping when you include a shower bench or chair. Installation can be done by a qualified professional in a short time, allowing the handicapped individual the freedom of being able to shower without assistance from anyone.

There's no need to renovate your entire bathroom in order to make it accessible to those who have mobility problems. The addition of a handicap shower is the perfect solution for those who have difficulty using a regular shower stall.