1. Replace the bathtub!
We could give you 10 reasons to replace the bathtub with a shower, and the main one is accessibility. No ledges to step over, less slippery surfaces, the shower has all the advantages.
For this reason, you should give priority to installing a walk-in shower with no edges to step over. Italian-style showers, for example, are the most appropriate equipment to install in a bathroom for a person with reduced mobility.
Also, make sure you install a shower with larger dimensions than the more conventional ones. Ideally, a surface area of 120 cm x 80 cm will accommodate a wheelchair user or a person accompanying a person with reduced mobility to help with washing.
The shower must also have a wide opening, i.e. a door that opens completely to avoid the slightest obstacle to the passage of a person with reduced mobility.
On the budget side, AKW offers turnkey solutions to enable you to install quality equipment at an affordable price.
2. Install a grab bar
Grab bars are ideal for people who have difficulty maintaining their balance in the shower. In most cases, the straight bar is chosen because of the different sizes available. It is available in lengths from 30 to 60 cm. The angled bar enables you to hold on in the shower using your whole forearm. It is particularly useful for standing up in the shower and for getting in and out of the shower. To help you choose the bar best suited to your needs, consult our guide!
3. Choose a shower seat
The seat reduces the fatigue associated with prolonged standing and allows you to wash your lower limbs without losing your balance.
To optimize space, choose a folding seat equipped with feet for greater stability.
For mobile seats such as stools, make sure they are equipped with non-slip feet. Consult our selection guide to find the best shower seat for you!
4. Raising the toilet
Often, a raised seat is preferable to facilitate the transfer from sitting to standing. Since it's not always easy to change the toilet, it's possible to add a booster seat. Make sure you choose one to match the shape of the bowl.
5. Make sure accessories are close at hand
If you're installing a shower seat, you need to make sure that the user has everything within easy reach to avoid potentially dangerous displacement. So be sure to install a remote showerhead holder.
You can also suggest a shelf to attach to the grab bar so that soap is close at hand.
6. Choose a non-slip surface
For people who find it difficult to move around, the shower is often a dreaded place to be, due to the humidity in the air and the consequent risk of slipping. Equipping the shower floor with an anti-slip covering is the right solution to prevent falls, especially as it's easy to install. This can take the form of textile strips or anti-slip mats to be placed on the shower floor, or tiles, also recognized for their anti-slip qualities.
These coverings are covered by a French anti-slip standard, called "XP P 05-011", which applies to ceramic and resin-based floor coverings, floor paints, resilient floor coverings and laminate floor coverings, and is classified into 4 categories: barefoot (PN)6, PN12, PN18 and PN24 according to the degree of anti-slip required.
7. Make the sink accessible
If your budget allows, you'll want to opt for wall-mounted basins, so that the column doesn't impede access. The user can easily slide in a shower stool for greater comfort while washing. Grab handles or grab bars are ideal on either side. Some basins are already equipped with integrated bars.
8. Choosing a safe thermostatic controller
Handling a thermostatic mixing valve with soapy hands is not easy if the control knobs are not fitted with fins or a rough surface to make them easier to grip. So make sure you choose the right mixer. As there is a risk of the user leaning on the faucet, we suggest you opt for a cold-body mixer to avoid any risk of burns.
9. Choose the right shower rail
The shower rails supplied with your faucets are not designed to withstand heavy loads. It is therefore essential to opt for an L or T-shaped bar with a 32mm diameter to facilitate gripping. AKW's innovative Onyx Combo combines a shower mixer with a grab bar. This 2-in-1 product secures space by limiting the need for drilling.
10. Optimize circulation space
In the case of an existing bathroom, you may need to modify the layout of the room or change certain elements to increase circulation space. In particular, you'll need to leave at least 60 cm of clearance around the sanitary fittings. For further details, please consult our recommendations.