Do You Need to Remodel or Renovate Your Bathroom for the Handicapped?
When someone becomes disabled in a household, one of the first places in the home that is important to make handicap-friendly is at least one bathroom.
For many disabled people, using a bathroom is the hardest part of their day, especially if it is not equipped with the proper items and is not designed for their needs.
Of course, different disabilities require different handicapped equipment, but usually most bathrooms will need some sort of retrofitting to make them accessible.
In some cases, you may only need to apply a simple remodel job that merely includes adding some portable handicap aids and dealing with a slippery floor.
In other cases, you may need to consider completely renovating a bathroom from the inside out to make it accessible for someone who is struggling with serious disability issues.
If you're not sure what you need to do in your situation, here are a few pointers to help you make the best decision for the loved one in your life.
First, you should openly discuss with him or her about what he or she sees as the most important issue in making their bathroom use the most accessible and comfortable.
Independence is usually a very important issue as well, so don't cut corners when it comes to providing as much aid in making independence possible for them.
You can also discuss the bathroom needs with a doctor or therapist, just to make sure you cover all the issues.
Next, you should honestly calculate how much of a budget you can allocate toward this project.
If you have unlimited funds, then by all means provide a highly functional bathroom that is pure joy for your loved one to use.
On the other hand, if your funds are limited, you will need to seriously consider what is the most important things to do to your bathroom area.
Third, be sure to consult a professional contractor who is knowledgeable about ADA guidelines for bathrooms, especially if you plan to do a major overhaul of a bathroom.
Of course, if you're adept at construction, you may be able to do the work yourself, but be sure to cover all the bases before embarking on such a project.
Mistakes can be costly and may even prove to be a safety hazard if the proper design elements are not followed.
Be sure to do your homework before you make the final decision about whether to remodel or renovate your bathroom for accessible living to insure that your project is a success.
For many disabled people, using a bathroom is the hardest part of their day, especially if it is not equipped with the proper items and is not designed for their needs.
Of course, different disabilities require different handicapped equipment, but usually most bathrooms will need some sort of retrofitting to make them accessible.
In some cases, you may only need to apply a simple remodel job that merely includes adding some portable handicap aids and dealing with a slippery floor.
In other cases, you may need to consider completely renovating a bathroom from the inside out to make it accessible for someone who is struggling with serious disability issues.
If you're not sure what you need to do in your situation, here are a few pointers to help you make the best decision for the loved one in your life.
First, you should openly discuss with him or her about what he or she sees as the most important issue in making their bathroom use the most accessible and comfortable.
Independence is usually a very important issue as well, so don't cut corners when it comes to providing as much aid in making independence possible for them.
You can also discuss the bathroom needs with a doctor or therapist, just to make sure you cover all the issues.
Next, you should honestly calculate how much of a budget you can allocate toward this project.
If you have unlimited funds, then by all means provide a highly functional bathroom that is pure joy for your loved one to use.
On the other hand, if your funds are limited, you will need to seriously consider what is the most important things to do to your bathroom area.
Third, be sure to consult a professional contractor who is knowledgeable about ADA guidelines for bathrooms, especially if you plan to do a major overhaul of a bathroom.
Of course, if you're adept at construction, you may be able to do the work yourself, but be sure to cover all the bases before embarking on such a project.
Mistakes can be costly and may even prove to be a safety hazard if the proper design elements are not followed.
Be sure to do your homework before you make the final decision about whether to remodel or renovate your bathroom for accessible living to insure that your project is a success.
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