Extra Help
Making life that little bit easier...
Dear Ideal Standard
I am in need of advice with regards to my bathroom. Basically it's tiny and as I am disabled I'm finding it increasingly difficult to not only move around but to get in and out of my bath, and wondered if a shower would be easier for me to use?
I know there are bathroom products specifically designed for less able people, but they're very clinical and stark. I still want to be able to enjoy my bathroom; relax and unwind – ideally without needing assistance from anyone else.
Any suggestions?
Yours hopefully
Lorraine Chadwick
As the official publication of The Bathroom and Shower Information Service, we decided to do our homework and find out exactly what improvements could be made to Mrs Chadwick's bathroom, to make her life a little bit easier. But, the further we looked into it , the clearer it became that we should use her bathroom as an example for others in a similar position… so – with major assistance from Armitage Shanks – we transformed her bathroom!
STEP-BY-STEP
Initially the bathroom had to be prepared which involved stripping all the wallpaper, removing the carpet and moving anything that wasn't fixed down, to make removing the old suite easier for the plumbers.
Next the plumbers – Michael and Richard Brearley of ME Electrical Plumbing & Heating Engineers (Thirsk) – arrived to dismantle the existing bathroom suite, remove the immersion heater and install the new boiler (kindly donated by Halifax based Keighley Heating and Plumbing (www.keighleyplumbing.co.uk).
As the house was quite old, once the suite was out and the tiles removed a plasterer (Peter Harwood) was required to make good the walls. Whilst these were drying the opportunity was taken to lay the new floor. It was felt that a tiled floor from Amtico would be easier for Mrs Chadwick to walk on than carpet, and would be easier to clean.
The plumbers then returned to install the new special care products from Armitage Shanks – and finally tiling, painting and styling completed the transformation.
As the UK's leading supplier of bathroom products to the Care market, Armitage Shanks has an impressive product range that is unrivalled by any other bathroom manufacturer. We selected the following products for Mrs Chadwick's bathroom which were chosen with her specific needs in mind:
Synergy 200 Care Shower:
Easy accClick and Clean. The lower wheels and panels can be released to expose the for thorough cleaning. Panel then easily clicks back into position to ensure a water tight seal.ess and installation with an electric lever action shower for easy use, and a comfortable padded seat which folds against the wall when not in use.
50cm Portman Basin:
Ideal for wheelchair accClick and Clean. The lower wheels and panels can be released to expose the for thorough cleaning. Panel then easily clicks back into position to ensure a water tight seal.ess with a good size bowl for washing.
PiccClick and Clean. The lower wheels and panels can be released to expose the for thorough cleaning. Panel then easily clicks back into position to ensure a water tight seal.olo 2 Basin Mixer:
Perfect for those who have little or no grip in their hands as it features a one handed swift lever action which controls the water volume and temperature.
Ventura WC:
Slightly higher to allow for wheelchair accClick and Clean. The lower wheels and panels can be released to expose the for thorough cleaning. Panel then easily clicks back into position to ensure a water tight seal.ess with a water saving 6 litre flush and easy grip spatula lever.
Grab Rails:
To give added support where required.
Decor:
- Floor – Amtico RM41CT Roman Marble Beige
- Walls – Crown Aqua Source Kitchen and Bathroom paint
- Tiles – white 10cm x 10cm tiles and Harmonie Californie Mosiacs
- Towels – white (Asda) ocean blue (Christy's luxury Collection)
- Mirror, soap dish, toothbrush holder and cup from Asda
- Chair, toilet roll holder from Ikea
- Toiletries – Marks Spencer, The Body Shop, Allders
- Oil burner – The Body Shop
- Blind – Allders