Showers
There are many people who can't recall the last time they took a bath. They don't plan on taking another one anytime soon, either.
These people aren't dirty. They don't smell bad. And they actually do wash each day. But they are not soakers. They are shower people. And, they're proud of it.
There is one problem, though. Most shower people still own bathtubs. Most of them still take showers in those bathtubs. And those bathtubs aren't always the safest places to be.
Are you a shower person? Does the rest of your family feel the same way? Then maybe it's time to get rid of that old bathtub once and for all.
Ready-to-Install Showers
Trading in your tub for a walk-in shower is easier than you think. Most bath stores sell showers that come in one ready-to-install unit. Buy one shower and you get everything you need. The shower walls and floor are already there. They are molded from one piece of fiberglass. All the plumbing fixtures are right where they should be. You just add the plumber.
Some of the newer shower models will fit in the space where your bathtub used to be. They even have a drain that lines up with the drain on your bathtub. This means your plumber won't have to move your pipes. Other shower models will need more space than your bathtub takes up now. A shower that is made for a person in a wheelchair will take up even more space.
Safety First
Shower units have a low lip that keeps water from running onto your floor. This low lip means that it's easier to get in and out of the shower. You don't have to step over a high wall like you do in a tub. That's easier on your legs. And it lowers your chances of falling or losing your balance. Roll-in models don't have a lip. That's so people in wheelchairs can get in and out easily. These showers have other devices that keep water off your floor.
You can fill your new shower unit with many tools that will help every family member stay safe. Grab bars are a must, of course. In addition, make sure your shower unit comes with a seat. This seat attaches securely to the wall of the shower. Pull the seat down and you can sit while you shower. Push the seat up against the wall and it will be out of the way if a family member wants to stand.
And don't forget to add a hand-held shower. This device looks like a regular showerhead, but you hold it in your hand. It connects to your water supply with a long hose. You can use this shower to wash while you sit in your shower seat.
Fixing Up an Old Shower
Do you already have a shower in your bathroom? Fix it up to make it safer to use. Install grab bars. Add a shelf in an easy-to-reach place to hold shampoo and soap. Get a hand-held shower. And consider buying a seat that you can mount on the wall of the shower. Just be sure that you attach the shower seat to the wall studs. Otherwise, it may pull away from the wall when you sit on it.
AARP Resources
Fixing
to Stay
Read about what Americans over age 45 are doing now to make sure
they can stay at home for as long as possible.
Written Contracts Prevent Home Improvement Nightmares
Ways to make sure your home remodeling contract protects you.
Home Modification
Frequently asked questions about changing your home to fit your
physical abilities.
Other Resources
Network
of Care
Search this database of 19,000 assistive tools that can help you
around the house.
Easy Bathing
A professor at the University of Buffalo reviews some products
that are making it easier to bathe.
Books
Find these books online at Barnes & Noble.com.
The Accessible Home: Updating Your Home for Changing Physical
Needs
Bryan Trandem, Creative Publishing International, Incorporated,
January 2003
Complete Guide to Alzheimer's-Proofing Your Home
Mark L. Warner, Purdue University Press, April 2000
