Tag Archives: Aging in Place Design Strategies for the Accessible Atlanta Bathroom

Hydrotherapy for Your Atlanta Home Spa Bath

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You have had a long hard day of work and just want to relax. Or you are recovering from an injury and need the curative benefits of water therapy. Or your body aches and you could use a soothing massage. If any of these scenarios resonate with you, perhaps you should look into purchasing a walk in tub with hydrotherapy jets for your home spa bath. Let’s consider some of the more pertinent facts about hydrotherapy for your Atlanta home spa bath.

Hydrotherapy has long been used for the treatment of many ailments and injuries because it offers so many healing benefits. Among other things, it encourages the stimulation of blood flow, carries energy and heat to specific parts of the body, is relaxing and rejuvenating, is safe even for sensitive individuals and takes pressure off painful joints.

Hydrotherapy therapy soothes and relaxes sore muscles.

Hydrotherapy soothes and relaxes sore muscles.

Having a bathtub that provides access to this healing spa treatment has never been easier for your Atlanta home. There are many options available for those contemplating the integration of such a therapeutic tool into their lives.

Air or water jets, aromatherapy, and in-line heating are just a few of the wonderful advantages available for your home spa bath. Utilizing a hydrotherapy tub can transform your bathing into an experience both relaxing and luxurious. Considering the modern hectic lifestyle, who wouldn’t appreciate a little of that?

For additional information about hydrotherapy for your Atlanta home spa bath, or a free in home assessment for accessible hydrotherapy bath remodeling needs, please contact Atlanta Home Modifications via the contact form below, or by telephone at 770.880.3405.

Related articles:

Hydrotherapy Jets for Your Home Spa Bath
What are Walk-In Bathtub Air Jet & Water Jet Hydrotherapy Systems?
Is a Walk-in Bathtub or an Accessible Shower My Best Choice?

 

Is a Walk-in Bathtub or an Accessible Shower My Best Choice?

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Accessible bathrooms are designed to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of any elderly individual, or person with a disability, who wishes to live independently in his own home. When considering upgrading a bathroom, how does one decide which is the best choice, a walk-in bathtub or an accessible shower?

Walk-in bathtubs are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners in the Atlanta Shower Installation - Schrader - 2and north Georgia and ideal for even moderately mobile users. Specific features include:

  • An average 4” step into the tub, which is much more convenient than a standard tub
  • Comfortable, accessible seat
  • Deep muscle hydrotherapy, great for home rehab programs
  • Non-slip floor and seat surface

Accessible showers are much safer and highly recommended for those who are more restricted in their mobility. These are characterized by:

  • Shower floor at the same level as that of the bathroom
  • Curb-less showers to allow smooth, safe transfer from wheelchair or walker to shower chair
  • Generous sizing to accommodate users who require assistance
  • Slip-proof textured base

Given these distinguishing features, your choice of a walk-in bathtub or accessible shower is largely dependent on the abilities of the primary user.

Hydrotherapy therapy soothes and relaxes sore muscles.

Hydrotherapy therapy soothes and relaxes sore muscles.

Americanstandard-us.com for example, has designed walk-in tubs that “… incorporate the therapeutic benefits and luxury of a whirlpool tub, with the safety, accessibility and simplicity of a walk-in bath. Perfect for those with limited mobility who wish to enjoy the freedom of living comfortably at home.” A well designed, accessible bathroom will be a great experience for the independent Atlanta or north Georgia homeowner!

Contact Atlanta Home Modifications
For additional information regarding walk-in tubs and accessible showers in the Atlanta metro area and north Georgia, please contact Atlanta Home Modifications by telephone at 770 880 3405.

Safe & Accessible Roll-in Showers and Walk-in Bath Tubs

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Accessible Roll-in Showers and Walk-in Bath Tubs
Father in wheelchair with familyProper bathing and showering facilities in our homes are essential amenities for safe and peaceful living. Equally as important is the ability to easily access these facilities. At certain times in life, due to an accident or illness, it may become difficult to get in and out of a traditional tub or showers—that is when it is time to consider a bathroom remodel that offers an accessible walk-in tub or roll-in shower.

Curbless Accessible Roll-in Shower
Curbless accessible showers are easier to get in and out of than the conventional shower with a curb. People with mobility challenges can more safely walk in or transfer into a barrier free shower with a wheelchair or transfer with a transfer bench to a built in seat.

Retrofitting a Bathroom Floor to Accommodate a Roll-In Shower
There are many design options available for retrofitting a bathroom to accommodate the construction of a barrier free shower. Design options include the use of a low threshold shower unit or custom made shower, creating a safe, independent and convenient alternative to a traditional bath tub. If a standard shower unit does not fit, a custom shower base, shower pan, and walls can be designed to fit your bathroom.

Walk-In Tubs Offer Many Features
Bathtubs offering an easy, safe and pleasant bathing experience are now available with walk-in doors, along with many product options including a built-in seat, jetted spray, hydrotherapy and whirlpool systems, in-line heater, slip resistant AquaCareBathfloor and a low step for easy access. Accessible roll-in showers and walk-in bath tubs solve mobility challenges for many people with disabilities in the Atlanta area. We serve the entire Metro Atlanta area including the Georgia counties of Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, Forsyth, and Hall.

 

For more information, contact Atlanta Home Modifications. Financing options may be available, along with other accessibility and mobility equipment such as stair lifts. For additional information or an in-home assessment by a qualified accessibility bathroom design consultant, call us at 770.880.3405.

Aging in Place Resources:

Atlanta Stair Lifts Blog | Walk-In Tubs Atlanta Blog | Wheelchair Ramps for Homes 

 Grab Bars Atlanta Blog | The Aging in Place Blog

Tips & Ideas for Aging in Place Home Remodeling for the Bathroom

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Aging in place home remodeling has become very popular as an ever-growing portion of jacuzzi_walk-in_tub_Atlanta_GA_accessibilitythe population fits the Senior 55+ description. Aging in place home remodeling for the bathroom space requires special consideration. For example, consider strategically placed grab bars — you might be surprised at how useful they are for friends and family members of all ages. Another consideration is a walk in tub or roll in shower. Which would you prefer?

Advantages of a Walk-In Tub Over a Roll-In Shower

The walk-in tub provides a pleasant soaking experience, similar to a regular bathtub. Equipped with aging in place safety features such as an anti-slip bottom, grab bars and a bench seat, the walk-in tub offers the best safety options with the highest level of bathing experience for the mobility impaired individual. For those who cannot stand for long periods, the walk-in bathtub allows easy access to bathing. A final advantage of a walk-in tub over a roll-in shower is the relaxing bathing experience found in the tub. Many walk-in tubs are available with multiple spray jets, digital temperature and thermostatic controls, and hydrotherapy — perfect as part of a home remodeling for the bathroom.

If you are considering a home remodeling project to upgrade your home to be better prepared for your senior years, Sam Clark, builder and author of “The Real Goods Independent Builder: Designing & Building a House Your Own Way” and “Remodeling a Kitchen“, has the following suggestions. Remodel your home to include:

  • Ground level living with a minimum of a bedroom, bath and kitchen on the first flooraging in place home remodeling for the bathroom
  • Widen doorways to 32-inch to accommodate a wheelchair, which requires a 60-inch turning radius
  • One level entry, preferably at the front, with a no-barrier door threshold
  • Plan for the future, by providing such things as wall reinforcement for future grab bars, electrical conduit and a shaft for an elevator if anticipated, etc.
  • Storage in the “optimal reach zone” — the space between 20 inches and 44 inches above the floor to a depth of 20 inches away from your body. Use drawers instead of cupboards for easy slide-out access to all of the stored objects.
  • Lever handles at all doors, electrical outlets higher than normal and switches lower than normal
  • Non-skid flooring with either hard floors or low-pile carpet

Aging In Place Home and Bathroom Remodeling Experts

For more information about walk-in tubs and roll-in showers as part of an aging in place home remodeling for the bathroom, contact the experts at Stair Lifts Atlanta / Atlanta Home Modifications, LLC. We will visit you in metro Atlanta or north Georgia, evaluate your home, and provide design and pricing information. The areas we serve include Athens, Atlanta, Gainesville, Buford, Canton, Woodstock, Kennesaw, Cartersville, Douglasville, Newnan, LaGrange, Peachtree City, Fayetteville, McDonough and Stockbridge. Contact us today at 770.880.3405.

Resources:

University of Southern California Andrus Gerontology

The Center for Universal Design at No. Carolina State Univ

Universal Design Alliance

 

Aging-In-Place Remodeling Checklist, Courtesy of the NAHB

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Today, especially in the home building and remodeling industries, universal design concepts and advantages are well known. Just imagine, if 20 or 30 years ago, home builders had adopted the finer points of universal design home design. We would have far fewer seniors and people with disabilities struggling to find aging in place home modification equipment and remodeling services today. 55+ adults and seniors would be easily navigating living spaces within their homes, rather than shopping for walk in tubs and roll in showers, stair lifts, and aging in place bathroom remodeling.

Is your Atlanta home aging in place ready?

Is your Atlanta home aging in place ready?

Quoting from the NAHB article, ‘What is Universal Design’, “Everyone can use universal design! It doesn’t matter if you are young or old. You could be short or tall, healthy or ill. You might have a disability. Or you may be a prize-winning athlete. Because of universal design, people who are very different can all enjoy the same home. And that home will be there for all its inhabitants even when their needs change.”

Use the Aging-In-Place Remodeling Checklist, courtesy of the NAHB, to determine whether your home is aging in place-friendly.

Advances have been made throughout the home in the areas of accessible bath and kitchen fixtures and features, home automation features, and disability equipment design. The five main universal design features that every builder and homeowner would be wise to incorporate into their new homes or remodels are:

  • Zero-step entry with a level threshold at the door
  • One story barrier-free living
  • Wide doorways and hallways
  • 60’ turning radii for general comfort (and possible a wheelchair some day)
  • Lever door handles and rocker light switches

For more information, please visit the Aging in Place and Universal Design pages on the Atlanta Home Modifications website.

Aging in Place Design Strategies for the Accessible Atlanta Bathroom

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Are you or a loved one experiencing challenges at home in the bathroom? Consider Kohler-ADA-Compliant-Handicapped-Accessible-Sinkstrategic aging in places changes to your bathroom to make life more manageable. Some of the best aging in place design strategies for the accessible bathroom include:

  • Expand the space to accommodate a wheelchair, scooter or walker
  • Add a roll-in shower or walk-in tub
  • Replace toilet with a comfort height model
  • Add anti-slip flooring
  • Rebuild the vanity to add knee space under lavatories
  • Lower vanity / counter heights
  • Add grab bars at toilet, shower and tub
  • Switch out hardware to add single-lever faucets
  • Widen doorways
  • Add anti-scald devices to shower, sink and / or tub
  • Improve bathroom lighting

Contact Atlanta Home Modifications to make an appointment to schedule an in-home assessment to evaluate your family home. We will evaluate your home and determine whether or not with strategic aging in places changes to your Atlanta home, your home will become more manageable.

Aging in Place Accessible BathroomAtlanta Home Modifications, LLC specializes in handicap accessible home modifications for people looking for barrier free accessibility design, including grab bar installation, stair lifts, platform lifts, chair lifts, wheelchair ramps for homes, assistive technology, roll-in showers and walk-in hydrotherapy bathtubs. (Images via Istockphoto and Wikipedia)

A walk-in bathtub (bathing, tub), with a door,...We desire to help people who are:

  • Returning home from rehab;
  • Experiencing a disability after an accident;
  • Suffering from a progressive disease;
  • A person with a disability visiting or moving to a new home

You can contact Atlanta Home Modifications by telephone at 770-880-3405 or by visiting the Atlanta Home Modifications website. Stop by and read Our Story!

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